Esteemed by his contemporaries in Australia, Steve Pannell has been named as one of the 50 most influential contributors to the wine world by Decanter Magazine and has twice won Australia's coveted Jimmy Watson trophy - most recently in 2014 for his 2013 Adelaide Hills Syrah. Having produced vintages at Wirra Wirra and Hardy's Tintara before working overseas in Burgundy's Domaine des Comtes Lafon, Bordeaux's Chateau Mouton Rothschild and G.D. Vajra in Barolo.

Pannell's ethos is simple: "I try to create wines that suit our climate and way of life - wines to drink with the food we grow, make and eat in Australia."

The portfolio is based on parcels of old-vine, dry grown Shiraz and Grenache from McLaren Vale and continued to expand to include Nebbiolo, Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional in addition to aromatic whites from the Adelaide Hills. Pannell's preferred winemaking techniques include open fermentation using natural yeasts. By maturing his wines in large format oak, Pannell retains each variety's integrity, showcasing its quintessential characteristics.

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.