Yangarra Estate is the Australian (specifically McLaren Vale) operation of Kendall-Jackson, one of the leading premium wine producers in California. In 2000 Kendall-Jackson acquired the 172ha Eringa Park vineyard from Normans Wines - the oldest of the vines date back to 1923! The renamed Yangarra Estate Vineyard is the estate base for the operation, which built a state-of-the-art premium red wine-making facility in 2010 and is moving to certified organic status with its vineyards.

In 2012 it purchased the historic Clarendon Vineyard from the estate of the late Alan Hickinbotham and the winemaker is the brilliant Peter Fraser. James Halliday has said of the Estate - “I could write six columns about Yangarra Estate and winemaker Peter Fraser and still have more to say.”

Their Ironheart Shiraz is as good as any McLaren Vale Shiraz you'll come across and their minute production (think 160 cases only) of the High Sands Grenache is a remarkable rendition of old, old vine grenache. Their portfolio is incredibly strong from their entry levels through to the icons. If you haven't yet been introduced to their wines, you're in for a very nice surprise.

Congratulations to Peter Fraser who was named Winemaker of the Year in the 2016 Wine Companion!

If you like Australian wine, then you probably like South Australia wine. The rich reds produced there put Australia on the wine-making map of the world. With over 40% of the countries vineyards, South Australia can rightfully call itself the wine state.

Wines are produced in several regions throughout the state, though many are naturally grouped together, like Barossa and Eden Valleys, only 15 minutes apart. They include such regions as Barossa Valley, Clare Valley, Eden Valley, Coonawarra, Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Langhorne Creek, The Limestone Coast, McLaren Vale and Wrattonbully to name but a few!

Barossa Valley boasts some of the oldest vines in Australia dating back to 1843 and produces some of the world's finest Shiraz, whilst the 'terra rossa' soils of Coonawarra is most suited to producing outstanding Cabernet Sauvignons. If you're a fan of Riesling, Clare Valley is a great place to explore and for a Maritime climate not dissimilar to parts of the Italian coastline, seek out the wines from McLaren Vale.