Any surfer knows the cleanest waves are found at the crack of dawn before the warming sun stirs up onshore winds. Likewise, we patrol our vineyards in the first glint of sunrise to find the perfect whole bunches to make beautiful Pinot Noir. Picked in the cool early morning, the fruit aromas are still pristine and rolling acidity provides the epic flavour ride we so desire. Taste the sunrise in our Dawn Patrol as flavours of dark Morello Cherries flow into Sarsaparilla root and Cinnamon before

Gamay is the extremely attractive grape that makes France’s Beaujolais so very appealing. You don't often see it in Australia but when you do you wonder why. Chris Coulter practices minimum intervention with his Coulter Wines enterprise, sourcing grapes mainly from the Adelaide Hills. This is “… charming and inviting on the nose with raspberry, sweet strawberry, floral and subtle spice aromas, leading to a silky-smooth palate offering youthful fruit flavours with silky texture and fine-grained tannins, making it delightfully drinkable.” (Sam Kim Wine Orbit). “… simply a delicious lightweight fresh red, a perfect summer drink. Gentle, supple texture, the wine has crisp acidity and a lingering persistence… a first-class Gamay and will provide pleasure for the next several years.” (Ken Gargett, Wine Pilot).

The southern Rhône’s cru villages deliver remarkable richness as well as value – all nine of them well worth discovering. One of the best is Vacqueyras, the village watched over by the towering Dentelles de Montmirail (google and you'll find some impressive images of these iconic rugged landmarks) . Cuvée Préstigieux is from the Guillot family. In 1911, great grandfather of the current owner forsook his birthplace of Burgundy and headed south to the Rhône valley. There he bought his first vineyard. Today, Laurent Guillot is in charge, working the family plots both in Burgundy and the southern Rhône. This Cuvée Préstigieux is a full-bodied style with ripe raspberry fruit from the Grenache, while the Syrah brings herbal aromas and blackberry and a touch of Mourvèdre adds spice. Ace with roast lamb or a rich casserole.

Andrew McPherson has a well-deserved reputation for being a great brilliant technical innovator and made wine all over the world before settling back in Australia. He was chief winemaker for many years, but that honour now belongs to Jo Nash. Wild Daisy is as lively as its pretty label – Cabernet with a portion of cherry-fresh, Italian inspired Sangiovese, so what you enjoy is an Aussie version of one of Italy’s pricey, ‘super Tuscans’. It’s a delicious drop, a top choice at a barbecue, with pizza or pasta. Great solo too.