Bold and full-bodied, Shiraz delivers rich dark fruit flavours of blackberry, plum, and black cherry, layered with black pepper, clove, and subtle smoke. Firm tannins and a velvety texture give it real structure, often rounded out by notes of chocolate and vanilla from oak ageing. A versatile pairing partner for grilled meats and hearty dishes, it's one of Australia's most planted red varieties

Penfolds was established in 1844 by a young English doctor, Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold. He built a cottage in Magill, on the outskirts of Adelaide with his wife Mary, and it was around this site that vine cuttings from the South of France were planted. Peter Gago joined Penfolds in 1989, and in 2002, he became Chief Winemaker. He leads an incredibly talented and experienced winemaking team who follow the traditions established by Penfolds previous owners.

Penfolds house style wines embrace the idea of multi-regional blending, optimum fruit quality, the use of fine-grained American and French oak and most often, barrel fermentation and maturation. Penfolds has played a big part in the evolution of winemaking in Australia - and across the world. Their biggest viticultural regions include Adelaide, the Barossa Valley, the Clare Valley, Coonawarra, Limestone Coast, and McLaren Vale. In total, grapes are sourced from more than 220 vineyards across Australia and only the best are chosen.

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.