Yacca Paddock vineyard, owned by international film makers, Scott Hicks and Kerry Heysen-Hicks, is situated at Kuitpo in the south west escarpment of the Mount Lofty Ranges. Planted in 2000, vines are east facing with site temperatures some 2.5 degrees cooler on average than McLaren Vale which, as a crow flies, is just 5km away. The 2016 Mr. Riggs Yacca Paddock Tempranillo was fermented in a 5 tonne open fermenter, resting on skins for 7 days, followed by membrane bag pressing. Fermentation was completed in 33% new French oak with the balance 2 year old French oak. Post malo, the wine was left on its gross lees for a couple of months to add texture and creaminess to the palate. A wonderfully textural, stylish wine, with natural fruit sweetness and elegance, the Mr. Riggs Yacca Paddock Tempranillo characteristically displays savoury tannins, dried herb undertones, and highlights sweet tart red cherry flavours. Drink with food.

Occupying some of the more elevated land in the Canberra District, Quarry Hill's climate is well-suited to produce one of the great red grapes of the world, tempranillo. Taking a cue from Spanish joven styles of young & fresh tempranillo, Quarry Hill's expression is fresh and bright-fruited, but guided in by the chewy skin tannin characteristic of the grape variety. The versatility of the wine means its not just for tapas or other Spanish foods, it also goes great with any grilled dishes or roast pork.

Mount Majura, from the emerging wine region of the Canberra District, considers Tempranillo as their flagship variety. With a dense core of dry savoury tannin, interwoven with fleshy cherry and blueberry fruit, and embroidered with a host of aromas, from sweet spices and pomegranate, to malt and leather.

Running with Bulls Barossa Tempranillo is deep crimson in colour with alluring and evolving aromas. Opening with blueberries, black cherry and cocoa powder the aromas lead to hints of tobacco leaf, Sichuan pepper and rose water. Redcurrants and blueberries are prominent on the palate, with a creamy plush mid palate that finishes with fine dark chocolate tannins.

Lark Hill have a history in the Canberra District region of over 30 years and today that legacy has been continued on by founder's Sue & Dave Carpenter's son, Chris. Located 30km North East of Canberra, Lark Hill's wines are certified bio-dynamic and have an ethereal, almost pure nature to them. The Pinot Noir is delightfully fragrant alongside a earthy backbone that is perfect for most game dishes.

This expressive Pinot Noir from Eden Road displays intensity and lifted aromas of red cherries, currants and clovey spice. The palate is concentrated in bright red fruits, dark plum and warm spices, with good structured acidity, embedded in silky, plush tannins. All follows through with great length and richness in flavour.

The Canberra District and the Rhone blend of Shiraz and Viognier have been famous bedfellows for the past few decades - for good reason. The unique terroir is harnessed wonderfully by the team at Lerida Estate at their Lake George vineyard and the result is this remarkably intense red wine. Cold soaked, co-fermented with hand plunging and then left to rest on skins for 10 days before resting in French oak for 15 months. It is no wonder flavours of freshly stewed plums, cinnamon, pepper, apricot and vanilla are simply bursting out of the glass.

In the glass: Dark red. On the nose: Chery berry fruit, herb and cumin spice. On the palate: Ripe, juicy and generous with sweet, fleshy dark cherry and red plum fruit, some confectionery notes, sweet earth, cola, liquorice and milk chocolate - deliciously savoury.

Deep magenta in colour. Beautifully ripe, red fruit aromas coalesce in a generous and wonderful regional signature. Plum, cherry and raspberry fruit flavours occupy centre stage, while French oak influence provides further depth of flavour and supportive length.

The Spanish fieasta is here – crack out the Tempranillo (tem-prah-ni-yo) and serve up the chorizo. My forefathers were from Spain, but I am a local through and through. I grew up in the Canberra region and my grapes were carefully picked by hand, only the best will do so naturally I was aged in French oak. I have a curvaceous medium body, a rich mouth feel and plum fruit flavours with earthy hints of mature spice and black tea tannin.