‘Moonlighter’ captures the very essence of the RedHeads concept. Right at the beginning, when RedHeads started in the McLaren Vale, a handful of dedicated, rule-breaking, young winemakers, with a day job at the big corporations, would arrive at RedHeads studio early evening, down a cold beer, then start on crafting a ‘real’ wine, with all the unbridled passion you’d expect from the newly qualified winemaking elite Down Under. The same goes on today in the Barossa Valley RedHeads winemaking studio. Moonlighters is a super-innovative blend of grapes and wine regions, only the best parcels of South Australian fruit make it in.

Located in High Eden, a sub-region of the Barossa, approximately 550 metres above sea level, Mountadam was originally established in 1972 by the late David Wynn for his winemaking son Adam. Since 2005, it has returned to being a family owned and run winery, with David and Jenni Brown overseeing its success. With Phil Lehmann, the son of Peter Lehmann, as chief winemaker, they are going from strength-to-strength. High Eden’s chilly heights lead to harvests up to a month later than those in neighbouring Eden Valley. The result is gorgeous Cabernet like this, full of dark fruit and chocolate.

Located in the High Eden sub-region of the Barossa, Mountadam was originally established in 1972 by the late David Wynn for his winemaking son Adam. Since 2005, it has returned to being a family owned and run winery, with David and Jenni Brown overseeing its success. With Phil Lehmann, the son of Peter Lehmann, as chief winemaker, they are going from strength-to-strength. High Eden’s chilly heights lead to harvests up to a month later than those in neighbouring Eden Valley. The result is gorgeous Shiraz like this, full of blue fruit and peppery acidity.

Be Bold. Be Brave. Be Courageous. That’s the motto of Kings’ Creed in South Australia’s beautiful Adelaide Hills district. Their aim is to “craft small batch wines of quality with bold character.” The wines are made by the legendary Ben Riggs, so that’s a creed that will be easy to live up to. Their gorgeous Rosé certainly shows lots of wonderful bold berry flavours on a deliciously tang, crisp palate. Chill, sip and enjoy!

As Robert Parker says, “Spain leads the world for sensational wine bargains of character and soul”, none more so than its mature reds. Nowhere else produces mellow, barrel-aged wines of such remarkable quality and price. Take Palacio del Conde – a gorgeously complex, oaky 2015 from Valencia. Part of this region is close to the coast, while the more southerly part is inland, up in the hills, and dry. It’s there that winemaker Marta Martínez selects the finest, hand harvested – from 50 year old vines – Tempranillo grapes for this Gran Reserva, then ages the wine for three years in oak barrels. A wonderfully fragrant, silky red with mature redcurrant and strawberry fruit and a rich, toasty character. Sublime with roast lamb or tapas. Its three recent Gold wins show its drinking beautifully now.

Altos R, a boutique winery in the heart of the best terroir in Rioja, achieve an excellent balance of traditional vineyard methods combined with the latest developments in technology, allowing them to create a great range of unique modern wines. Their Crianza style (aged for at least two years) Tempranillo offers a powerful and complex nose, with notes of fresh fruits, spices, balsamic and toasted oak all perfectly integrated. The palate is structured, round, and balanced, making it an ideal companion to red meats or an assortment of cheeses.

Grant Burge reds are always distinctively Barossa and this one is no exception. Vibrant colour earthy nose with blackberries and a touch of pepper and a richly flavoured palate with robust tannins.