Who are the winemakers making the very best wine now?
The grape variety doesn’t matter. Just want to know those people who are really making great wine. Thanks. I’m about to travel to Australia and I want to try to sample.
Thanks.
There is a huge list of producers, depends on the style of wine you like… could you be more specific?
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I don’t know about winemakers, but from a regional perspective I had several surprisingly good and good value syrah from the grampians region. Readily available in sydney and melbourne stores/restaurants.
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How about Chardonnay and Pinot Noir? Wendoree is my go to
for Shiraz.
Here are some producers that I think make great wines and are exciting from Aus:
Tyrrell’s (Semillion)
Grosset (Riesling)
Sorrenberg
Giaconda (PN + Chard)
Bindi
Glaetzer (Shiraz)
Sami Odi (Shiraz)
Mount Mary (Bdx blend/ Pn/Bdx blanc)
Murdoch Hill (PN + Chard)
Timo Mayer
Unico Zelo (Fiano)
Standish (Shiraz)
Patrick Sullivan ( Chard)
Gentle Folk
Mac Forbes
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I am regularly buying Standish and Sami Odi but Australia is a large country with several main wine regions.
Shaw and Smith makes some damn good wine including the Tolpuddle label.
Would love to buy Wendouree direct and even sent them a letter this year with a response that they don’t ship to the US.
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Yarra Yering and Giant Steps in the Yarra Valley. Both have female winemakers
Bekkers in McClaren Vale-female winemaker from Chablis
Rockford and Hewitson in Barossa
Ashton HIlls Stephen George’s winery-I think he has retired-who made Wendoree’s wines.
Bloodwood in Orange.
Assuming you are not going to Margaret River. Quite a few great wineries in MR.
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I don’t drink a lot of Australian wine, but have had several Bordeaux style blends from Woodlands and enjoyed them. They’re in Margaret River.
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In addition to Grosset, Pewsey Vale makes some excellent intense dry Rieslings, including the 1961 Block (my favorite) and the late-released Contours.
(BTW notice that the URL indicates this is an English language version of an Australian website LOL).
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This is a reasonable guide to the best wines in the country. Excludes smaller producers some of whom are great but a good resource nonetheless.
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Many fine Australian table wines appeal not only to the Australian palate,
but also to the cognoscenti of Great Britain.
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Agree with this list
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Langtons list is very good and based around auction performance.
Don, for chardonnay and Pinot Noir look toward wines from Yarra Valley, Adelaide Hills, Tasmania, Gippsland, Macedon Ranges and Mornington Peninsula where it’s cooler.
Tolpuddle, Giant Steps, Holyman, Pooley, Ashton Hills, Hoddles Creek, Oakridge, Levantine Hill, Moorooduc Estate, Bindi, William Downie, Kooyong, Bass Phillip, Stargazer are some of the names to look for.
Other Australian classic regional styles that should generally deliver:-
Margaret River and Coonawarra Cabernet - long lived wines - Wynns, Deep Woods, Moss Wood, Cullen, Vasse Felix, Balnaves Tally, Kanook Odyssey, Majella GPL 68, Voyager Estate are some of teh names worth looking out for.
Barossa and McLaren Vale Shiraz - Grange (Doh) , Hill Of Grace (Doh), Standish, Sami-Odi, Henschke Mt Edelstone, Kay Brother’s Block 6, MMAD, Yangarra, Elderton Command are some of the wines to look out for.
Cooler climate Shiraz - spice and all things nice - Giaconda, Clonakilla, Bindi a few that come to mind.
Wendouree (Clare Valley) - the whole range. Shiraz Malbec and Shiraz mataro the value plays.
Australian Rizza - Clare and Eden Valleys most prevalent but great wines from Crawford River in Henty. Also Nick O’Leary from Canberra. Look for Rieslingfreak, Grosset, Pikes, Orlando Steingarten, Limefinger, O’Leary Walker…many more.
Hunter Semillon - unique - Tyrrells, McWilliams, Thomas Braemore - gets better with age
Grenache and blends - Rockford Moppa, Henschke Johanns Garden, Duval Plexus, Yangarra, Alkina, Cirillo 1850 Vines, MMAD Blewitt. It’s an exciting space with lots of excellent wines.
Shiraz Cabernet Blends - uniquely Australian - Yalumba Signature and The Caley, Penfolds Bin 389, Majella Malleea to name a few.
Other Varieties, Samuels Gorge Tempranillo, Tomfoolery Tempranillo, Pizzini Nebbiolo, Dal Zotto Sangiovese, MMAD Chenin Blanc, Olivers Taranga Fiano, Ochota Barrels Gamay to barely scratch teh surface.
As is always the case - ask your Somm when in doubt.
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There’s some great names already listed, so I won’t repeat those, but a few others to consider:
Canberra District - Clonakilla
Margaret River - Cullen, Leeuwin Estate, Pierro
Mornington Peninsula - Quealy, Ten Minutes by Tractor
If I had to pick one region for a wine-focused trip, I’d probably choose Margaret River.
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Yes good call. The Chardonnay is always very fine. My list neglected the great Margaret River Chardies like Leeuwin, Cullen, Vasse Felix Heytesbury, Voyager…
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Mic Drop post!
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Wish I had this list with me when I went to Australia!
Definitely agree with Tolpuddle for pinot noir and chard - they recently opened a cellar door in the Coal River Valley by the Hobart airport, excellent experience. Stargazer was on point for chard too, but no cellar door. Pooley was solid for pinot at the higher price points, but otherwise a little hit or miss.
We were also up by Tamar Valley in TAS and had some fantastic sparkling at Apogee.
Addendum:
Actually looks like Stargazer plans to open a cellar door in October 2025.
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Visited this winery and they have a gorgeous view and cellar door setting. Didnt buy anything but distinctly remember the view and how hopping the place was to visit.
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Just wish I could find older Semillons from Tyrrels and Brokenwood in the US. Oh well.
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It’s not easy…but it can be done!! Check the auction sites and set your winesearcher alert 
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