Halliday Wine Favourites – 6 Pack
Halliday Wine Favourites – 6 Pack 🍷⭐
A curated selection of Halliday-rated wines chosen for their quality, character and excellent drinking appeal. This 6-bottle collection brings together a variety of well-regarded wines, making it easy to enjoy a selection of Australian favourites in one pack.
Perfect for wine lovers, entertaining, gifting or discovering highly rated bottles, with plenty of variety and great drinking pleasure in every bottle. 🍷
Six Halliday-rated favourites, carefully selected for quality, character and value.
1 x McHenry Hohnen Marsanne Rousanne 2021 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
95/100 Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion
93/100 The Wine Front
94/100 Erin Larkini, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
5-star winery - James Halliday (2018 vintage)
"Halliday Wine Companion - Australian Winery of the Year 2022 & 2023"
Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "The Marsanne was pressed straight to old puncheons, the roussanne spent several hours on skins before being pressed to a single concrete vessel. Matured separately on fine lees for 6 months. This wine has been doing the rounds at wine shows in 2021, and has been picking up golds and favourable comments left, right, and centre. I can tell you why: it harnesses the weight, volume and voluptuousness of the 2 varieties, but re-presents them in a restrained and focused way. The phenolics are ever-present, shapely and balancing. All in all, a class act."
The Wine Front "An organic MR from MR. Love it. Custard cream, pineapple, lemon curd and ginger. A rich feeling but decidedly fresh and uplifting expression of Marsanne Roussanne loaded with spice over all that generous and fruity character. Mellow, flowing, lively and generous with balance in spades. Delightful drinking ensues. Lots of character."
Stuart Knox, The Real Review "Bright lemon yellow in a glass that has a fragrant lift of white peach and honeysuckle aromas. A ripe and generous core of citrus and stone fruits drive the palate with a fine line of salty mineral acidity and hints of smoked spices underneath. Good length and crisp at the finish."
James Suckling "Sliced apples, fresh pears, grapefruits and jasmine on the nose. Some hazelnuts, too. Creamy and layered with a ripe, fleshy yet fresh core of fruit"
Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review "Subtle aromas of earth, honey and lemon make way for a rich core that tails into a fine line of acidity. This feels like a baby, its energetic nucleus needs time to unfurl and build layers. This is an impressive wine with body, flavour and nuance."
Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "The best examples of this Rhône blend can have a biscuity dryness that offsets the typically rich and opulent fruit characters of both varieties. And so here. Balanced and long, both components are stitched together with a thread of saline acidity." (2020 vintage)
62/38% marsanne/roussanne
Founded by one of the pioneers of the Margaret River winemaking region, David Hohnen, and his brother in law, Murray McHenry, an accomplished fine wine retailer. Both have been making wine in Margaret River since the early 1970s. McHenry Hohnen vineyards are 100% biodynamic. Their three unique vineyards (Burnside, Calgardup and Hazel’s) produce wines that are a reflection of the land. McHenry Hohnen focus on crafting site expressive wines and are known for producing some of the region's best wines.
"McHenry Hohnen is tucked away off Bussell Highway to the south of Margaret River. The wines have bound from strength, a comment never truer than under the stewardship of winemaker Jacopo (Japo). Under his leadership, the wines have been catapulted into a new realm of quality. The chardonnays particularly exemplify that hard-to-achieve balance of pleasurable on release, and capable of graceful ageing. The move towards organics and sustainable farming has had a positive impact on the quality of the wines, and it is a delight to witness so much diversity in the vineyards - from experimental clones and new plantings, to sheep, chickens, olives and vegetables. McHenry Hohnen is an estate on the move - divert your eyes at your peril - EL."
Margaret River is one of the best known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined cabernet sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces high quality Semillon-Sauvignon blends and Shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
1 x Grosset "Gaia" Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2018 ~ (Organic) Clare Valley, South Australia
96/100 Jane Faulkner
95/100 Ralph Kyte-Powell
97/100 - Top Cabernet Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023 (2019 vintage)
98/100 James Halliday (2016 vintage)
Organic
Decanter Magazine ~ The World’s Top 10 White Winemakers #6 Jeffrey Grosset (2016 Vintage)
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian & New Zealand Wines of the Year 2015 ~ Top 20 Wines of the Year Under $100 (2016 Vintage)
James Halliday 5 star winery
Halliday Wine Companion Awards, Jane Faulkner "Gaia demands attention and respect in equal measure. Do take time to admire its balance of savouriness to fruit, it's calmness and class. Expect pomegranate and boysenberries with dabs of licorice, rolled tobacco and cedary oak with a touch of green walnut. Medium-bodied and the plush yet textured tannins render the wine ready for immediate drinking, but will reward those who wait."
Ralph Kyte-Powell "The wines in Jeff Grosset’s admirable portfolio are a reflection of his thoughtful, quality-oriented approach, none more so than Gaia. This cabernet blend from the outer reaches of the Clare Valley is always a wine of precision and personality that sits outside the region’s forceful mainstream cabernet type. The just-released 2017 edition epitomises the marque’s elegant, moreish style, starting intense and briary with a nose of violets, crushed currants and cedar, leading through a medium-bodied wine of admirable length, intensity and finesse. Gaia skilfully measures cabernet’s savouriness and austerity with cassis-like fruit sweetness in lip-smacking harmony. Delicious right now, but age should enhance it wonderfully."
Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023, Erin Larkin "This has grunt and low-down power, but the engine is built into a chassis of fine fruit and supple tannins. The acidity acts as the titanium bolt that holds it together, creating a strengthening framework of life and finesse. Blackberries, cassis, licorice, mulberry and raw cocoa, with nori, pink peppercorns and pastrami, blood plum, kelp and brine. Marvellous." (2019 vintage)
James Halliday "Estate-grown cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, the certified organic vines 33yo. A breath of fresh air, pulling my lip up and out of Dante’s inferno of other wines in this particular tasting. Supple and immaculately balanced: every flavour, texture. Beautifully nuanced fruits that are 100% within the varietal makeup. The tannins almost lustrous, so fine are they." (2015 vintage)
Decanter "When the young Jeffrey Grosset launched his own winery in the Clare Valley in the early 1980s, he was swimming against the tide. Back then, Chardonnay was the rising star of Australian Wine. But Grosset wanted to make Riesling and to focus on letting the grapes speak for themselves. The rest of the Australian wine industry has, of course, caught up with Grosset since, thanks in part to the example set by this focused, restlessly intelligent winemaker. By consistently producing arguably Australia’s two best Rieslings – the flowery, lime-rich Watervale and the steely, firm Polish Hill – Grosset has not only helped steer the reversal in this variety’s fortunes but has provided one of the country’s most powerful arguments in favour of the reality of terroir. The undisputed monarch of Clare Valley is Jeffrey Grosset, whose 32-year reign has seen a raft of superlative wines set standards to which other winemakers can only aspire."
Andrew Caillard "The best thing about Grosset, is the sheer enthusiasm, utter commitment and genuine love for making something sublime and brilliant."
Langton Classification of Australian Wine "Grosset Gaia is one of the most sought-after wines produced in Australia"
Grosset Wines are an independently owned winery producing highly regarded premium wines. Established in 1981, the winery is situated in the historic township of Auburn at the southern tip of the Clare Valley, 100 kilometres north of Adelaide.
Jeffrey Grosset, owner, and founder has always been an innovator, challenging tradition and questioning accepted practices. He campaigned to institute the legal integrity of the Riesling grape in Australia, was a leading proponent for the introduction of screwcap closures and funded research into the subject.
Grosset Wines’ philosophy has remained steadfast for over thirty years. The emphasis is on the purity of fruit. The estate vineyards, which are ACO certified organic, are hand tended and each bunch of grapes is harvested at optimum ripeness.
1 x Hewitson Mad Hatter Shiraz 2022 - Barossa Valley, South Australia
94/100 Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
93/100 Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
94/100 Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion (2021 vintage)
94/100 Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
5 Star Winery - James Halliday
James Suckling Top 100 Top Value Wine 2020
James Halliday Top 100 Winery 2017
10 Vineyards Behind The World's Most Famous Wines - Wine Enthusiasts
Gold - Paris Wine Cup 2023
Gold - Paris Wine Cup 2022
Gold - Paris Wine Cup 2021
Gold - Paris Wine Cup 2020
Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion "The Mad Hatter represents a parcel selection from sites across the Barossa. The fruit is ripe and velvety, all blackberry and blueberries with hints of baking spices, vanillin oak, chocolate, ginger snaps, violets and lighter notes of tobacco lead and roasting meats. There's a pithiness to the fine tannins, which gently tug at the roof of the mouth, slowly fading away with ripe, spiced fruits and a pleasing sense of harmony."
Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Deep purple-red colour with a mulchy/humus touch to the blackberry fruit and coffee grounds aromas, the wine is full-bodied and raunchy, with rustic tannins and big bold flavour. Cellaring may soften the parts and bring them together better."
Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot "This is now based on a selection of the best vineyards and 2021 provided plenty of goodies to play around with. It is such a beautifully smooth and almost effortless wine bursting with red fruits with a sprinkle of pepper and spices working with a trace of liqueur cherry. It gets about 16 months in one and two-year-old French oak and the predominant use of whole bunches has contributed to that delicious palate mix and presentation." (2021 vintage)
Stuart Knox, The Real Review "Opaque core into a deep ruby and purple rim. Blood plum, liquorice and violet aromas leap from the glass. Lovely full weight and density as it glides across the tongue. Dark fruits, anise spice and graphite undertones all meld well to ensure character and interest. Tannins are supple yet amply powerful for the job at hand, driving it long and lingering to the finish. A lovely balance of Barossa intensity with winemaking vitality" (2021 vintage)
Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion "Deep crimson in the glass with classic aromas of satsuma plum and summer berry fruits layered with baking spices, licorice and dark chocolate. Nary a hair out of place on the palate with impressive fruit purity and a harmonious, dark savoury flow to the wines form; powdery tannin in support with a minerally driveline." (2021 vintage)
In early 2021, leading global publication Wine Enthusiast included Hewitson in its top 10 list of “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines” alongside heralded blocks in Burgundy, Champagne, Piedmont and Napa Valley.
Australian Wine Companion "Established in 1998 Hewitson winery is situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley on the historic Seppeltsfield Road and boasts some of the oldest vines in the world. Hewitson fruit is sourced from historic, dry-grown vineyards in the Barossa Valley and also from single site vineyards in Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills."
Frederick Wildman "Dean Hewitson founded his eponymous winery in 1998. He is a highly respected Australian winemaker ...Hewitson has worked at wineries in Australia, France, Italy and Oregon. Hewitson then moved to the U.S. where he earned a Masters from UC-Davis. On his return home, Dean brought a wealth of knowledge, practical experience and a driving passion to produce wines not only from Barossa Valley but also from the McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills regions.
Hewitson fundamentally believes great wines are the expression of the soils they are grown in and the season in which they are grown. With his longstanding focus on terroir—specific terroir plots in fact—many of Hewitson’s wines are single vineyard. He sources grapes from not only his own vineyards but also from long-standing grower contracts including a few sourced from some of the oldest living, still productive vines on plots that date back to the mid-19th century and are pre-phylloxera. His ‘Old Garden’ Mourvèdre is a single-vineyard wine, whose vines were planted in 1853 in Barossa Valley and are reputed to be the oldest Mourvèdre vines in the world. Hewitson’s ‘Miss Harry’ is sourced from a Grenache vineyard planted in 1880, also thought to be the oldest Grenache in existence.
Due to Hewitson’s education and experience in Australia, California and France, Hewitson wines combine Old-World traditions with New-World fruit purity. And while he clearly excels with Rhône Valley grape varieties, Hewitson also produces award-winning Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. A practitioner in solar energy, water recycling and encouraging natural biodiversity, Hewitson produces wines in an environmentally sustainable fashion."
James Halliday "Dean Hewitson was a winemaker at Petaluma [one of Australia's leading wineries] for 10 years, during which time he managed to do three vintages in France and one in Oregon as well as undertaking his Masters at the University of California, Davis. It is hardly surprising that the wines are immaculately made from a technical viewpoint. Dean sources 30-year-old Riesling from the Eden Valley and 70-year-old shiraz from McLaren Vale; he also makes a Barossa Valley Mourvedre from vines planted in 1853 at Rowland Flat, and Barossa Valley Shiraz and Grenache from 60-year-old vines at Tanunda."
The Barossa Valley is an extremely important wine-producing region within the Barossa zone of South Australia, particularly associated with powerful red wines from the red wine grape variety Shiraz. A prestigious and internationally renowned region, it is not only home to some of the oldest vineyards and wineries in Australia but produces some of its most recognizable and sought-after brands. A striking feature of the Barossa Valley's wine landscape is the presence of very old vines, proudly showcased on many wine labels and during vineyard tours.
Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.
Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
1 x Pikes The Hill Block Cabernet 2021 - Clare Valley, Australia
95/100 Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
94/100 Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion
92/100 Stuart Knox, The Real Review
91/100 The Wine Front
92/100 Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
93/100 Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (2019 vintage)
5 Stars - Halliday Wine Companion
People Choice Award 2023
Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot "...this is a cracker. Opaque maroon in colour, we have aromas of plums, chocolate, truffles, fleshy notes, bergamot and coffee grinds. Still very young and it really does need time. The palate is seductive and seamless with very fine tannins and juicy acidity. I’d be putting this aside for the next three to four years and then enjoying it over the following decade, over which period it will surely continue to improve."
Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion "Beautiful aromatics starring blueberry, violet floral lift, a sniff of cassis, dried rosemary and dark chocolate. Supple on the palate with lush cassis and plum fruit characters squished through a sheath of light, suede tannin and gently spiked with dried herb and black peppery spice. Flavours linger with bright, cassis fruit and more of the spice, gently. Satisfying expression, refined, restrained, but vibrant. It's very good."
Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "Sandalwood, cocoa, plum and blackberry compote. In the mouth the wine is concentrated and dense, with a heated lift through the finish. This is a full wine, with weight and gravitas... chocolatey, spicy and moving to viscous. This will go very well in time, but for now, it remains a little frisky (and very fresh)." (2020 vintage)
Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion "Still in an awkward youthful stage, with the tannins appearing a touch too raspy and the palate not entirely harmonious. Never fear. It will get its act together. It already has all the elements in place: the mulberries, the cassis and currants, the baking spices and freshly rolled tobacco and sprinkling of herbs. It's medium bodied and refreshing but needs to go back into the cellar for a few more years. No doubt it will change the outcome. Cellar door only." (2019 vintage)
Pikes is a prestigious winery in South Australia's Clare Valley, established in 1984 by Neil and Andrew Pike, whose viticultural roots go back to the late 1800s. Situated in the picturesque Clare Valley, the Estate is comprised of approximately 100 hectares of rolling slopes in Polish Hill River, an eastern sub-region of the Clare Valley.
Known for its cool climate and diverse grape varieties, Pikes showcases premium wines with distinct characters and flavors due to the unique terroir and altitude.
After an almost 20-year career with Penfolds Wines and Southcorp Wine Group, Andrew joined Pikes on a full-time basis in 1998 to oversee viticultural operations and manage the growing family business.
Pikes is particularly renowned for its high-quality Riesling and other cool-climate wines, praised for vibrant acidity, citrus flavors, and exceptional aging potential. Whilst they are best known for world-class Riesling, they have been growing Shiraz and Cabernet for 35 years and have 20 different grape varieties planted on their estate, producing a wide range of wine styles to suit all tastes.
Pikes pride themselves on producing quality handcrafted wines, that reflect vintage, variety, and region. The Pike family has been producing quality wine, beer, and aerated waters in South Australia since 1886 it is a family tradition of which they should be very proud.
Their vineyards in Clare Valley grow various grape varieties, with a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture and environmental responsibility.
Their portfolio includes Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and unique blends, all crafted with a dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Over the years, Pikes has garnered numerous awards, establishing itself as a top producer in the Clare Valley, and gaining recognition both nationally and internationally for their excellent and consistent wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
1 x Swinney Frankland River Mourvèdre 2021 - Great Southern, Frankland River, Western Australia
95/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke
94/100 The Wine Front, Mike Bennie
Young Gun of Wine - Australian Vineyard of The Year 2020
Five Star Halliday Rating (2016 vintage)
James Halliday Top Ten ~ Best New Wineries 2015 (2016 vintage)
#6 Top Wineries of Australia 2020 ~ The Real Review
Organic
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "Very deep bright purple-red hue; the bouquet spicy, rusty iron, as well as chocolate-coated cherries, medium-full bodied and firm with a good solid backbone of tannin, and an earthy peppery, graphite kind of mineral note, savoury and concentrated, powerful and penetrating through a long palate. Superb, and it has potential to improve further with time. "
Ray Jordan, The Western Australian “There is no question that this vineyard and the style being crafted under one of Australia’s finest winemakers, Rob Mann, have redefined syrah and grenache. These are now the established benchmarks and should be on the buy-now list for anyone with an interest in contemporary Australian wine.”
The Wine Front, Mike Bennie "Blackcurrant jelly, graphite, old leather, woody spice abound in perfume. Flavours roll a similar way, more blueberry than blackcurrant though, juiciness chiselled into by ribs of mineral-charged tannin, some sooty spice and tobacco characters lending savouriness. Medium weight, tannin-shaped, long, firm, dusty, savoury. Such a great drink here with charisma, texture, tension, and energy in spades. Serious stuff!”
Waters Wine "An underappreciated variety in Australia, but I have no doubt that we will soon be tasting a Farvie Mourvedre, based on the quality of this bottle. Classic aromatics of smokey, earthy, campfire, camphor and dark fruits. Again in 2021 the shape is so different from previous vintages, rounder and somehow a little bit grander. But make no mistake this is very focused. Medium to full bodied, with rich chewy tannins, piquant acidity, the most of all the reds. Bitter chocolate and chalky mouthfeel. Exceedingly layered and complex, haunting, grand, pure and wild all at the same time. The ultimate in sensuousness. "
Young Gun of Wine, Australian Vineyard of The Year 2020 "The Swinney vineyard represents modern viticulture interwoven with Old-World techniques, executed with precision through a combination of exhaustive manual work and state-of-the-art technology, and all underpinned by an environmental focus...and the quality of the resulting wines, is truly extraordinary and inspiring.”
Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals. Certified organic wines in Australia.
The Swinneys are a pair of brother-and-sister winemakers who are one of the rare new Australian wineries to have two of their wines invited onto the esteemed wine lists of The Ivy and Savoy Grill (Gordon Ramsay) restaurants in London. Swinney Vineyards made its debut in Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2015 with a five-star rating and were ranked in the top ten of best new wineries.
Swinney Vineyards made its debut in Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2015 with a five-star rating and were ranked in the top ten of best new wineries.
Frankland River is a key Australian wine sub-region the south of Western Australia. It is located just inland from the Southern Ocean coast, 115 miles east of Margaret River. Frankland River is the coldest wine region in continental Australia. Riesling is the area's specialty, with its crisp, fresh style standing out from the more diesel–kerosene notes found in the warmer regions further north.
1 x Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon 2017 ~ Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia
96/100 James Suckling
96/100 The Wine Front
95/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate)
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards
Gold - 2023 Royal Adelaide Wine Show, Finlaysons Trophy for Best Semillon in show
Gold - 2023 NSW Wine Awards
Gold - 2023 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards
Gold - 2023 Royal Sydney Wine Show
James Halliday "From one of the masters of developed semillon, helped in this instance by the great semillon vintage. Its bouquet half suggests the use of oak – not true. It's a hypnotic wine, with Meyer lemon driving the citrus circus and the wheels of acidity."
Decanter World Wine Awards "Anyone trying this extraordinary wine, marked by classic Hunter cleanliness and freshness...The vines had had adequate rainfall prior to midsummer, though, and the secret to Hunter Valley Semillon is early picking. It is this that makes it an inarticulate wine in its early years – but with time comes character. After six years, you can see growing aromatic richness, as innate toasty, smoky notes begin to join the subtle lime fruits, while on the palate the structure of acidity – intense to the point of inscrutability in the early years – is beginning to deepen, to soften and to modulate towards something more aromatically resonant. During all this time, of course, the wine maintains its overall lightness and delicacy, the legacy of just 11% abv."
James Suckling "An iridescent mid-yellow flecked with green, the color of semillon from these parts nudging adolescence, little more. Loads in store, attested by a faint whiff of buttered white toast and lemon drop. The acidity, febrile and gloriously juicy, carries the flavors extremely long. The wine is typical featherweight, belied by the intensity of flavor at its core. This is exceptional. Inimitable. Benchmark wine."
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "The 2017 ILR Reserve Semillon is already toasty and voluminous in the mouth. It leads with cold buttered toast, the distant whiff of fresh coffee, lemon myrtle, honeysuckle, grapefruit pith and brine. It undulates and courses through the long finish."
The ILR Reserve Semillon is named after Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Leslie Riggs, who joined the winery in 1982. Iain has taken Brokenwood from a small ‘hobby’ winery into the national and international arena, and was the driving force in Brokenwood extending the range to white wines.The ILR Reserve Semillon is an aged white wine that receives no oak.
After tasting the wine over the first three years the decision was made to release at 5 years bottle age, in other words to have some bottle development but capable of aging further. In terms of winemaking it was a case of low (and now, zero) skin contact and neutral yeast.
Established in 1970 Brokenwood Wines is one of Australia's most reputable premium wine labels and a must-visit in the Hunter Valley. It was established by Australia's leading wine critic, James Halliday. Consistently listed as a 5 star winery, Brokenwood is home to the famous Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, the highly acclaimed ILR Reserve Semillon, and the popular Cricket Pitch Range.
The Hunter Valley is the best-known and most highly prized wine region in New South Wales. It is known as the region where the Australian wine industry started. The valley's winemakers have pioneered two distinctive styles of wine (oaked Chardonnay and dry Semillon) and has retained a strong connection with both of them. The Hunter Valley's most famous wine style is its distinctive dry Semillon, made there since the 1870s. Hunter Valley Semillons are renowned for their ability to improve with age.
Sémillon is one of the wine world's unsung heroes. The gold-skinned grape produces France's most famous and revered sweet wines, notably Sauternes, and some of the greatest dry white wines of Australia - particulary those in the Hunter Valley.
Halliday Wine Favourites – 6 Pack 🍷⭐
A curated selection of Halliday-rated wines chosen for their quality, character and excellent drinking appeal. This 6-bottle collection brings together a variety of well-regarded wines, making it easy to enjoy a selection of Australian favourites in one pack.
Perfect for wine lovers, entertaining, gifting or discovering highly rated bottles, with plenty of variety and great drinking pleasure in every bottle. 🍷
Six Halliday-rated favourites, carefully selected for quality, character and value.
1 x McHenry Hohnen Marsanne Rousanne 2021 ~ Margaret River, Western Australia
95/100 Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion
93/100 The Wine Front
94/100 Erin Larkini, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
5-star winery - James Halliday (2018 vintage)
"Halliday Wine Companion - Australian Winery of the Year 2022 & 2023"
Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "The Marsanne was pressed straight to old puncheons, the roussanne spent several hours on skins before being pressed to a single concrete vessel. Matured separately on fine lees for 6 months. This wine has been doing the rounds at wine shows in 2021, and has been picking up golds and favourable comments left, right, and centre. I can tell you why: it harnesses the weight, volume and voluptuousness of the 2 varieties, but re-presents them in a restrained and focused way. The phenolics are ever-present, shapely and balancing. All in all, a class act."
The Wine Front "An organic MR from MR. Love it. Custard cream, pineapple, lemon curd and ginger. A rich feeling but decidedly fresh and uplifting expression of Marsanne Roussanne loaded with spice over all that generous and fruity character. Mellow, flowing, lively and generous with balance in spades. Delightful drinking ensues. Lots of character."
Stuart Knox, The Real Review "Bright lemon yellow in a glass that has a fragrant lift of white peach and honeysuckle aromas. A ripe and generous core of citrus and stone fruits drive the palate with a fine line of salty mineral acidity and hints of smoked spices underneath. Good length and crisp at the finish."
James Suckling "Sliced apples, fresh pears, grapefruits and jasmine on the nose. Some hazelnuts, too. Creamy and layered with a ripe, fleshy yet fresh core of fruit"
Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review "Subtle aromas of earth, honey and lemon make way for a rich core that tails into a fine line of acidity. This feels like a baby, its energetic nucleus needs time to unfurl and build layers. This is an impressive wine with body, flavour and nuance."
Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "The best examples of this Rhône blend can have a biscuity dryness that offsets the typically rich and opulent fruit characters of both varieties. And so here. Balanced and long, both components are stitched together with a thread of saline acidity." (2020 vintage)
62/38% marsanne/roussanne
Founded by one of the pioneers of the Margaret River winemaking region, David Hohnen, and his brother in law, Murray McHenry, an accomplished fine wine retailer. Both have been making wine in Margaret River since the early 1970s. McHenry Hohnen vineyards are 100% biodynamic. Their three unique vineyards (Burnside, Calgardup and Hazel’s) produce wines that are a reflection of the land. McHenry Hohnen focus on crafting site expressive wines and are known for producing some of the region's best wines.
"McHenry Hohnen is tucked away off Bussell Highway to the south of Margaret River. The wines have bound from strength, a comment never truer than under the stewardship of winemaker Jacopo (Japo). Under his leadership, the wines have been catapulted into a new realm of quality. The chardonnays particularly exemplify that hard-to-achieve balance of pleasurable on release, and capable of graceful ageing. The move towards organics and sustainable farming has had a positive impact on the quality of the wines, and it is a delight to witness so much diversity in the vineyards - from experimental clones and new plantings, to sheep, chickens, olives and vegetables. McHenry Hohnen is an estate on the move - divert your eyes at your peril - EL."
Margaret River is one of the best known wine regions in Australia, recognized internationally for the quality of its wines and the natural beauty of the region. Although originally renowned for its unusually refined cabernet sauvignon and intensely citrusy chardonnay varieties, the region now produces high quality Semillon-Sauvignon blends and Shiraz.
Located in the south-western corner of Western Australia, it is famous for having a more 'European' wine style than its counterparts across Australia, owing to the regions temperate, coastal location which is very similar to that of Bordeaux.
1 x Grosset "Gaia" Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2018 ~ (Organic) Clare Valley, South Australia
96/100 Jane Faulkner
95/100 Ralph Kyte-Powell
97/100 - Top Cabernet Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023 (2019 vintage)
98/100 James Halliday (2016 vintage)
Organic
Decanter Magazine ~ The World’s Top 10 White Winemakers #6 Jeffrey Grosset (2016 Vintage)
Tyson Stelzer’s Australian & New Zealand Wines of the Year 2015 ~ Top 20 Wines of the Year Under $100 (2016 Vintage)
James Halliday 5 star winery
Halliday Wine Companion Awards, Jane Faulkner "Gaia demands attention and respect in equal measure. Do take time to admire its balance of savouriness to fruit, it's calmness and class. Expect pomegranate and boysenberries with dabs of licorice, rolled tobacco and cedary oak with a touch of green walnut. Medium-bodied and the plush yet textured tannins render the wine ready for immediate drinking, but will reward those who wait."
Ralph Kyte-Powell "The wines in Jeff Grosset’s admirable portfolio are a reflection of his thoughtful, quality-oriented approach, none more so than Gaia. This cabernet blend from the outer reaches of the Clare Valley is always a wine of precision and personality that sits outside the region’s forceful mainstream cabernet type. The just-released 2017 edition epitomises the marque’s elegant, moreish style, starting intense and briary with a nose of violets, crushed currants and cedar, leading through a medium-bodied wine of admirable length, intensity and finesse. Gaia skilfully measures cabernet’s savouriness and austerity with cassis-like fruit sweetness in lip-smacking harmony. Delicious right now, but age should enhance it wonderfully."
Halliday Wine Companion Awards 2023, Erin Larkin "This has grunt and low-down power, but the engine is built into a chassis of fine fruit and supple tannins. The acidity acts as the titanium bolt that holds it together, creating a strengthening framework of life and finesse. Blackberries, cassis, licorice, mulberry and raw cocoa, with nori, pink peppercorns and pastrami, blood plum, kelp and brine. Marvellous." (2019 vintage)
James Halliday "Estate-grown cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc, the certified organic vines 33yo. A breath of fresh air, pulling my lip up and out of Dante’s inferno of other wines in this particular tasting. Supple and immaculately balanced: every flavour, texture. Beautifully nuanced fruits that are 100% within the varietal makeup. The tannins almost lustrous, so fine are they." (2015 vintage)
Decanter "When the young Jeffrey Grosset launched his own winery in the Clare Valley in the early 1980s, he was swimming against the tide. Back then, Chardonnay was the rising star of Australian Wine. But Grosset wanted to make Riesling and to focus on letting the grapes speak for themselves. The rest of the Australian wine industry has, of course, caught up with Grosset since, thanks in part to the example set by this focused, restlessly intelligent winemaker. By consistently producing arguably Australia’s two best Rieslings – the flowery, lime-rich Watervale and the steely, firm Polish Hill – Grosset has not only helped steer the reversal in this variety’s fortunes but has provided one of the country’s most powerful arguments in favour of the reality of terroir. The undisputed monarch of Clare Valley is Jeffrey Grosset, whose 32-year reign has seen a raft of superlative wines set standards to which other winemakers can only aspire."
Andrew Caillard "The best thing about Grosset, is the sheer enthusiasm, utter commitment and genuine love for making something sublime and brilliant."
Langton Classification of Australian Wine "Grosset Gaia is one of the most sought-after wines produced in Australia"
Grosset Wines are an independently owned winery producing highly regarded premium wines. Established in 1981, the winery is situated in the historic township of Auburn at the southern tip of the Clare Valley, 100 kilometres north of Adelaide.
Jeffrey Grosset, owner, and founder has always been an innovator, challenging tradition and questioning accepted practices. He campaigned to institute the legal integrity of the Riesling grape in Australia, was a leading proponent for the introduction of screwcap closures and funded research into the subject.
Grosset Wines’ philosophy has remained steadfast for over thirty years. The emphasis is on the purity of fruit. The estate vineyards, which are ACO certified organic, are hand tended and each bunch of grapes is harvested at optimum ripeness.
1 x Hewitson Mad Hatter Shiraz 2022 - Barossa Valley, South Australia
94/100 Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate
93/100 Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
94/100 Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion (2021 vintage)
94/100 Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
5 Star Winery - James Halliday
James Suckling Top 100 Top Value Wine 2020
James Halliday Top 100 Winery 2017
10 Vineyards Behind The World's Most Famous Wines - Wine Enthusiasts
Gold - Paris Wine Cup 2023
Gold - Paris Wine Cup 2022
Gold - Paris Wine Cup 2021
Gold - Paris Wine Cup 2020
Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion "The Mad Hatter represents a parcel selection from sites across the Barossa. The fruit is ripe and velvety, all blackberry and blueberries with hints of baking spices, vanillin oak, chocolate, ginger snaps, violets and lighter notes of tobacco lead and roasting meats. There's a pithiness to the fine tannins, which gently tug at the roof of the mouth, slowly fading away with ripe, spiced fruits and a pleasing sense of harmony."
Huon Hooke, The Real Review "Deep purple-red colour with a mulchy/humus touch to the blackberry fruit and coffee grounds aromas, the wine is full-bodied and raunchy, with rustic tannins and big bold flavour. Cellaring may soften the parts and bring them together better."
Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot "This is now based on a selection of the best vineyards and 2021 provided plenty of goodies to play around with. It is such a beautifully smooth and almost effortless wine bursting with red fruits with a sprinkle of pepper and spices working with a trace of liqueur cherry. It gets about 16 months in one and two-year-old French oak and the predominant use of whole bunches has contributed to that delicious palate mix and presentation." (2021 vintage)
Stuart Knox, The Real Review "Opaque core into a deep ruby and purple rim. Blood plum, liquorice and violet aromas leap from the glass. Lovely full weight and density as it glides across the tongue. Dark fruits, anise spice and graphite undertones all meld well to ensure character and interest. Tannins are supple yet amply powerful for the job at hand, driving it long and lingering to the finish. A lovely balance of Barossa intensity with winemaking vitality" (2021 vintage)
Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion "Deep crimson in the glass with classic aromas of satsuma plum and summer berry fruits layered with baking spices, licorice and dark chocolate. Nary a hair out of place on the palate with impressive fruit purity and a harmonious, dark savoury flow to the wines form; powdery tannin in support with a minerally driveline." (2021 vintage)
In early 2021, leading global publication Wine Enthusiast included Hewitson in its top 10 list of “Vineyards Behind the World’s Most Famous Wines” alongside heralded blocks in Burgundy, Champagne, Piedmont and Napa Valley.
Australian Wine Companion "Established in 1998 Hewitson winery is situated in the heart of the Barossa Valley on the historic Seppeltsfield Road and boasts some of the oldest vines in the world. Hewitson fruit is sourced from historic, dry-grown vineyards in the Barossa Valley and also from single site vineyards in Eden Valley, McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills."
Frederick Wildman "Dean Hewitson founded his eponymous winery in 1998. He is a highly respected Australian winemaker ...Hewitson has worked at wineries in Australia, France, Italy and Oregon. Hewitson then moved to the U.S. where he earned a Masters from UC-Davis. On his return home, Dean brought a wealth of knowledge, practical experience and a driving passion to produce wines not only from Barossa Valley but also from the McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills regions.
Hewitson fundamentally believes great wines are the expression of the soils they are grown in and the season in which they are grown. With his longstanding focus on terroir—specific terroir plots in fact—many of Hewitson’s wines are single vineyard. He sources grapes from not only his own vineyards but also from long-standing grower contracts including a few sourced from some of the oldest living, still productive vines on plots that date back to the mid-19th century and are pre-phylloxera. His ‘Old Garden’ Mourvèdre is a single-vineyard wine, whose vines were planted in 1853 in Barossa Valley and are reputed to be the oldest Mourvèdre vines in the world. Hewitson’s ‘Miss Harry’ is sourced from a Grenache vineyard planted in 1880, also thought to be the oldest Grenache in existence.
Due to Hewitson’s education and experience in Australia, California and France, Hewitson wines combine Old-World traditions with New-World fruit purity. And while he clearly excels with Rhône Valley grape varieties, Hewitson also produces award-winning Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc. A practitioner in solar energy, water recycling and encouraging natural biodiversity, Hewitson produces wines in an environmentally sustainable fashion."
James Halliday "Dean Hewitson was a winemaker at Petaluma [one of Australia's leading wineries] for 10 years, during which time he managed to do three vintages in France and one in Oregon as well as undertaking his Masters at the University of California, Davis. It is hardly surprising that the wines are immaculately made from a technical viewpoint. Dean sources 30-year-old Riesling from the Eden Valley and 70-year-old shiraz from McLaren Vale; he also makes a Barossa Valley Mourvedre from vines planted in 1853 at Rowland Flat, and Barossa Valley Shiraz and Grenache from 60-year-old vines at Tanunda."
The Barossa Valley is an extremely important wine-producing region within the Barossa zone of South Australia, particularly associated with powerful red wines from the red wine grape variety Shiraz. A prestigious and internationally renowned region, it is not only home to some of the oldest vineyards and wineries in Australia but produces some of its most recognizable and sought-after brands. A striking feature of the Barossa Valley's wine landscape is the presence of very old vines, proudly showcased on many wine labels and during vineyard tours.
Shiraz is the name given to the dark-skinned Syrah grape when grown in Australia and selected pockets of the New World. Though genetically identical, the stylistic differences between Shiraz and Syrah are usually pronounced.
Shiraz is so important to Australian viticulture that it is the most planted grape variety in the majority of Australian vineyards and has become virtually synonymous with the country's wine regions, and in particular the Barossa Valley.
1 x Pikes The Hill Block Cabernet 2021 - Clare Valley, Australia
95/100 Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot
94/100 Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion
92/100 Stuart Knox, The Real Review
91/100 The Wine Front
92/100 Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion (2020 vintage)
93/100 Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (2019 vintage)
5 Stars - Halliday Wine Companion
People Choice Award 2023
Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot "...this is a cracker. Opaque maroon in colour, we have aromas of plums, chocolate, truffles, fleshy notes, bergamot and coffee grinds. Still very young and it really does need time. The palate is seductive and seamless with very fine tannins and juicy acidity. I’d be putting this aside for the next three to four years and then enjoying it over the following decade, over which period it will surely continue to improve."
Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion "Beautiful aromatics starring blueberry, violet floral lift, a sniff of cassis, dried rosemary and dark chocolate. Supple on the palate with lush cassis and plum fruit characters squished through a sheath of light, suede tannin and gently spiked with dried herb and black peppery spice. Flavours linger with bright, cassis fruit and more of the spice, gently. Satisfying expression, refined, restrained, but vibrant. It's very good."
Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion "Sandalwood, cocoa, plum and blackberry compote. In the mouth the wine is concentrated and dense, with a heated lift through the finish. This is a full wine, with weight and gravitas... chocolatey, spicy and moving to viscous. This will go very well in time, but for now, it remains a little frisky (and very fresh)." (2020 vintage)
Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion "Still in an awkward youthful stage, with the tannins appearing a touch too raspy and the palate not entirely harmonious. Never fear. It will get its act together. It already has all the elements in place: the mulberries, the cassis and currants, the baking spices and freshly rolled tobacco and sprinkling of herbs. It's medium bodied and refreshing but needs to go back into the cellar for a few more years. No doubt it will change the outcome. Cellar door only." (2019 vintage)
Pikes is a prestigious winery in South Australia's Clare Valley, established in 1984 by Neil and Andrew Pike, whose viticultural roots go back to the late 1800s. Situated in the picturesque Clare Valley, the Estate is comprised of approximately 100 hectares of rolling slopes in Polish Hill River, an eastern sub-region of the Clare Valley.
Known for its cool climate and diverse grape varieties, Pikes showcases premium wines with distinct characters and flavors due to the unique terroir and altitude.
After an almost 20-year career with Penfolds Wines and Southcorp Wine Group, Andrew joined Pikes on a full-time basis in 1998 to oversee viticultural operations and manage the growing family business.
Pikes is particularly renowned for its high-quality Riesling and other cool-climate wines, praised for vibrant acidity, citrus flavors, and exceptional aging potential. Whilst they are best known for world-class Riesling, they have been growing Shiraz and Cabernet for 35 years and have 20 different grape varieties planted on their estate, producing a wide range of wine styles to suit all tastes.
Pikes pride themselves on producing quality handcrafted wines, that reflect vintage, variety, and region. The Pike family has been producing quality wine, beer, and aerated waters in South Australia since 1886 it is a family tradition of which they should be very proud.
Their vineyards in Clare Valley grow various grape varieties, with a strong commitment to sustainable viticulture and environmental responsibility.
Their portfolio includes Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, and unique blends, all crafted with a dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Over the years, Pikes has garnered numerous awards, establishing itself as a top producer in the Clare Valley, and gaining recognition both nationally and internationally for their excellent and consistent wines.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
1 x Swinney Frankland River Mourvèdre 2021 - Great Southern, Frankland River, Western Australia
95/100 The Real Review, Huon Hooke
94/100 The Wine Front, Mike Bennie
Young Gun of Wine - Australian Vineyard of The Year 2020
Five Star Halliday Rating (2016 vintage)
James Halliday Top Ten ~ Best New Wineries 2015 (2016 vintage)
#6 Top Wineries of Australia 2020 ~ The Real Review
Organic
The Real Review, Huon Hooke "Very deep bright purple-red hue; the bouquet spicy, rusty iron, as well as chocolate-coated cherries, medium-full bodied and firm with a good solid backbone of tannin, and an earthy peppery, graphite kind of mineral note, savoury and concentrated, powerful and penetrating through a long palate. Superb, and it has potential to improve further with time. "
Ray Jordan, The Western Australian “There is no question that this vineyard and the style being crafted under one of Australia’s finest winemakers, Rob Mann, have redefined syrah and grenache. These are now the established benchmarks and should be on the buy-now list for anyone with an interest in contemporary Australian wine.”
The Wine Front, Mike Bennie "Blackcurrant jelly, graphite, old leather, woody spice abound in perfume. Flavours roll a similar way, more blueberry than blackcurrant though, juiciness chiselled into by ribs of mineral-charged tannin, some sooty spice and tobacco characters lending savouriness. Medium weight, tannin-shaped, long, firm, dusty, savoury. Such a great drink here with charisma, texture, tension, and energy in spades. Serious stuff!”
Waters Wine "An underappreciated variety in Australia, but I have no doubt that we will soon be tasting a Farvie Mourvedre, based on the quality of this bottle. Classic aromatics of smokey, earthy, campfire, camphor and dark fruits. Again in 2021 the shape is so different from previous vintages, rounder and somehow a little bit grander. But make no mistake this is very focused. Medium to full bodied, with rich chewy tannins, piquant acidity, the most of all the reds. Bitter chocolate and chalky mouthfeel. Exceedingly layered and complex, haunting, grand, pure and wild all at the same time. The ultimate in sensuousness. "
Young Gun of Wine, Australian Vineyard of The Year 2020 "The Swinney vineyard represents modern viticulture interwoven with Old-World techniques, executed with precision through a combination of exhaustive manual work and state-of-the-art technology, and all underpinned by an environmental focus...and the quality of the resulting wines, is truly extraordinary and inspiring.”
Organic wines are made from grapes grown without pesticides, following strict organic standards. Organic wines are produced in vineyards that do not use synthetic chemicals. Certified organic wines in Australia.
The Swinneys are a pair of brother-and-sister winemakers who are one of the rare new Australian wineries to have two of their wines invited onto the esteemed wine lists of The Ivy and Savoy Grill (Gordon Ramsay) restaurants in London. Swinney Vineyards made its debut in Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2015 with a five-star rating and were ranked in the top ten of best new wineries.
Swinney Vineyards made its debut in Halliday’s Australian Wine Companion 2015 with a five-star rating and were ranked in the top ten of best new wineries.
Frankland River is a key Australian wine sub-region the south of Western Australia. It is located just inland from the Southern Ocean coast, 115 miles east of Margaret River. Frankland River is the coldest wine region in continental Australia. Riesling is the area's specialty, with its crisp, fresh style standing out from the more diesel–kerosene notes found in the warmer regions further north.
1 x Brokenwood ILR Reserve Semillon 2017 ~ Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia
96/100 James Suckling
96/100 The Wine Front
95/100 Robert Parker, Wine Advocate)
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards
Gold - 2023 Royal Adelaide Wine Show, Finlaysons Trophy for Best Semillon in show
Gold - 2023 NSW Wine Awards
Gold - 2023 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards
Gold - 2023 Royal Sydney Wine Show
James Halliday "From one of the masters of developed semillon, helped in this instance by the great semillon vintage. Its bouquet half suggests the use of oak – not true. It's a hypnotic wine, with Meyer lemon driving the citrus circus and the wheels of acidity."
Decanter World Wine Awards "Anyone trying this extraordinary wine, marked by classic Hunter cleanliness and freshness...The vines had had adequate rainfall prior to midsummer, though, and the secret to Hunter Valley Semillon is early picking. It is this that makes it an inarticulate wine in its early years – but with time comes character. After six years, you can see growing aromatic richness, as innate toasty, smoky notes begin to join the subtle lime fruits, while on the palate the structure of acidity – intense to the point of inscrutability in the early years – is beginning to deepen, to soften and to modulate towards something more aromatically resonant. During all this time, of course, the wine maintains its overall lightness and delicacy, the legacy of just 11% abv."
James Suckling "An iridescent mid-yellow flecked with green, the color of semillon from these parts nudging adolescence, little more. Loads in store, attested by a faint whiff of buttered white toast and lemon drop. The acidity, febrile and gloriously juicy, carries the flavors extremely long. The wine is typical featherweight, belied by the intensity of flavor at its core. This is exceptional. Inimitable. Benchmark wine."
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "The 2017 ILR Reserve Semillon is already toasty and voluminous in the mouth. It leads with cold buttered toast, the distant whiff of fresh coffee, lemon myrtle, honeysuckle, grapefruit pith and brine. It undulates and courses through the long finish."
The ILR Reserve Semillon is named after Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Leslie Riggs, who joined the winery in 1982. Iain has taken Brokenwood from a small ‘hobby’ winery into the national and international arena, and was the driving force in Brokenwood extending the range to white wines.The ILR Reserve Semillon is an aged white wine that receives no oak.
After tasting the wine over the first three years the decision was made to release at 5 years bottle age, in other words to have some bottle development but capable of aging further. In terms of winemaking it was a case of low (and now, zero) skin contact and neutral yeast.
Established in 1970 Brokenwood Wines is one of Australia's most reputable premium wine labels and a must-visit in the Hunter Valley. It was established by Australia's leading wine critic, James Halliday. Consistently listed as a 5 star winery, Brokenwood is home to the famous Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, the highly acclaimed ILR Reserve Semillon, and the popular Cricket Pitch Range.
The Hunter Valley is the best-known and most highly prized wine region in New South Wales. It is known as the region where the Australian wine industry started. The valley's winemakers have pioneered two distinctive styles of wine (oaked Chardonnay and dry Semillon) and has retained a strong connection with both of them. The Hunter Valley's most famous wine style is its distinctive dry Semillon, made there since the 1870s. Hunter Valley Semillons are renowned for their ability to improve with age.
Sémillon is one of the wine world's unsung heroes. The gold-skinned grape produces France's most famous and revered sweet wines, notably Sauternes, and some of the greatest dry white wines of Australia - particulary those in the Hunter Valley.