Established in 1998, Shadowfax is a boutique winery located just 30 minutes from Melbourne in the heart of Werribee Park. Dedicated to creating high-quality and handcrafted wines, Shadowfax is renowned for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Shiraz, as well as a selection of highly limited, single-vineyard wines. The winery takes its name from J.R.R. Tolkien's classic, The Lord of the Rings, where Shadowfax was chief among horses. Contemporary in design and function, Shadowfax's unique architecture reflects an attempt to create a harmony between the winery and its natural surroundings. Designed by award-winning architects Wood Marsh, the winery's rusted sheet metal exterior and terracotta interior evoke the best of Australian wine heritage. At Shadowfax, the team is passionate about allowing each vineyard site to express its unique character, with the grapes grown reflecting the site and telling their own story. The vineyards are grown depending on their own requests, with the team always listening and tasting to ensure the vineyard's needs and wants are met. Shadowfax is not afraid of new ideas, experimentation, trials and tribulations, all while having fun doing so. The vineyard is allowed to do the talking, using the wine glass as its stage. Shadowfax is a winery that truly cares about the land and the wines it produces, resulting in some of the most exceptional wines in the region. Shadowfax Wines is a premium winery with vineyards located in some of the most unique and sought-after regions in Australia. The Little Hampton single vineyard site near Trentham sits at 730m above sea level, making it one of the coolest in the Macedon Ranges. The deep red volcanic loams over hard basalt outcrops give Little Hampton a unique balance between aromatics and power, producing exceptional fruit, particularly Pinot Noir, which forms the flagship Little Hampton Pinot Noir. Other vineyards include Straws Lane, planted in the 1980s to Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer near Hesket, Midhill, with slightly acidic and well-drained red volcanic soils and Werribee, which produces powerful and robust K Road Shiraz and unadulterated Minnow wines. The Pyrenees vineyard produces Shiraz with natural spicy aromas, a full palate and long fine tannins, thanks to the inland location at the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountain range. Shadowfax Wines' commitment to minimal intervention in the winery and precision farming results in wines that are vibrant, pure and drinkable. The Shadowfax Geelong Pinot Gris 2022 is a delightful wine that showcases a light white straw color with a green hue and brilliant clarity. The aroma is complex, with nectarine and lychee fruits complemented by nori and mineral flint. There is a focus and depth to the nose, with barrel-derived complexities and floral notes complementing the more primary fruit aromas. On the palate, nectarine and apricot immediately wash across, with papaya, ginger and fresh florals adding length and lusciousness. The palate is generous, but the healthy acidity maintains vitality and zest, with a touch of saltiness on the finish. This is a great example of maritime Pinot Gris. This wine pairs well with salmon and cream cheese bagel, nori roll and three cheese souffle. The viticulture of this wine involved a wet winter and cool spring in Geelong, setting up the growing season. Small crops fully ripened with a warm summer while retaining good acidity. The winemaking process involved firmly whole bunch pressing the hand-harvested fruit to release the full Pinot Gris flavor profile. Natural fermentation occurred in older French barrels, with the wine left to unwind and age slowly on its ferment lees to add generosity.

Family owned Villa Maria Estate has been rated as New Zealands

Nick Spencer Wines is a small Canberra based wine company dedicated to producing exceptional, hand crafted wines that honour their local landscape. Producing award winning wines for nearly two decades, Nick’s passion and remarkable talent for considered, quality wines is evident in every bottle. Following four years at the famed University of Adelaide campus, Nick was awarded a degree in Oenology in 2000. Nick has worked for notable producers across the industry, including Rosemount, Coldstream Hills, Madew Wines, Tertini Wines, and led the team at Eden Road Wines for almost a decade before starting his own label with Nick Spencer Wines. A proud Australian wine maker, Nick is particularly passionate about the beautiful NSW regions of Gundagai and Tumbarumba. His winemaking expertise have been widely recognised by the industry, in 2009 Nick was honoured to win the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy. In 2011 Nick was a Len Evans Tutorial Scholar and a finalist in the Young Guns of Wine, that year he also won the National Wineshow Trophy for Best Shiraz. In 2014 Nick was a finalist in the Gourmet Traveller Wine Winemaker of the Year awards. His wines are regularly recognised by James Halliday, most recently being noted in the top ten best new wineries for 2019. Gruner Veltliner is a white grape variety native to Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic. In Australia Gruner is planted exclusively in cooler regions such as the Tumbarumba, The Adelaide Hills and Tasmania. Gruner is often compared to other varieties such Riesling with slightly more volume, texture and more approachable acidity. The texture and volume of this varietal means it is a very ver satile wine to match with foods. It is well suited to the bold flavours of Vietnamese cuisine such as summer rolls and noodle salads. Mexican foods such as fish tacos are also a great match and of course schnitzel and other fried foods. Nick Spencer Gruner Veltliner 2022 displays aromas of grapefuit, stone fruits, citrus and subtle spice. The palate is vibrant and juicy with lovely salivating acidity and texture.

The finest wines of the Italian winemaking tradition meet the history and culture of Pasqua family in this selection that embraces Italy from Southern to Northern through well-known vines and grapes. In view of the Pasquas’ passion for viticulture, they could not do without a selection of Pinot Grigio in their Capitoli range. The wine has a straw yellow colour and, on the nose, it offer floral sensation that recall the aroma of acacia blossom, with hints of pears as well. Its flavour is intense and very well-balanced, with fruity notes of apples and pears. To be served cool, with starters, delicate first course dishes, grilled or baked fish.

Bubb+Pooley Wines is a venture born out of passion and expertise. Justin Bubb and Anna Pooley, both with over 20 years of experience in winemaking across the globe, have finally decided to release their own wines. After working with premium vineyards throughout Tasmania, they are now collaborating with exceptional vineyards and people across the state to produce wines that connect with their philosophy of making wine from the ground up. Their use of concrete vessels is not an experiment but a traditional style of vessel that has been used for centuries in the Old World. Each shape has been chosen specifically to enhance the texture of the varietal within them and these beautiful, handcrafted vessels will last lifetimes. At Bubb+Pooley Wines, sustainability threads through and underpins their approach to everything they do. All of their decisions are focused on how they can do things better in order to minimize their impact on the environment. Their wines are raw, expressive and speak of place. The Coal River Valley wine region is located in Clarence, Tasmania, just northeast of Hobart. It was named after the first village that discovered coal in the area. The majority of grapes are grown on northern slopes and the region produces high-quality Pinot noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Sauvignon blanc. The cool climate alluvial and sandy soils with a high concentration of clay sandstone provide a unique terroir for the wines. The Bubb + Pooley Chardonnay 2023 presents a luminous golden hue, offering a glimpse into the wine's inherent vibrancy and allure. This Chardonnay entices the senses with a captivating bouquet of ripe tropical fruits, including pineapple, mango,\ and hints of juicy peach, complemented by delicate notes of vanilla, toasted oak, and a subtle touch of hazelnut. The aroma exudes a harmonious blend of fruit-driven opulence and nuanced oak influences, creating a sensory delight. Upon tasting, the Chardonnay reveals a beautifully balanced interplay of flavors, showcasing the influence of its unique fermentation and maturation process. The wine's texture is luxuriously smooth, offering a delightful fusion of ripe citrus, tropical fruit and a subtle hint of baked apple, all underpinned by a delicate touch of creamy oak. The palate is marked by a delightful tension, transparency and energy, reflecting the wine's evolution and promise. The finish is enduring and invigorating, leaving a lasting impression of bright acidity, a touch of minerality and a lingering citrus zest, culminating in a deeply satisfying conclusion that hints at the wine's potential for further development. The Bubb + Pooley Chardonnay 2023 is a testament to the winemaking artistry and the unique approach to fermentation and maturation. With its tension, transparency, and energy, this wine embodies a promise of evolution and transformation, inviting anticipation and appreciation for the journey ahead. A wine that exudes both complexity and potential, it is poised to captivate and evolve, offering a compelling expression of Chardonnay that is as exciting as it is alluring.

Pierrick Laroche, the proud owner of Domaine des Hâtes, continues the legacy of his family's estate located in the picturesque village of Maligny, in the north-west sector of Chablis. Established by his father in the 1970s, Pierrick's family vineyard holdings have gradually expanded over time, resulting in the current size of around 33 hectares. After obtaining a degree in oenology from Beaune, Pierrick embarked on a journey to gain valuable experience by traveling the world and undertaking various internships. Armed with knowledge and a deep passion for winemaking, he returned home to take over the family vineyards and start producing his own wines. Pierrick's cellars, ingeniously built into the side of a hill in the village, allow for much of the winemaking process to be conducted by gravity ensuring gentle handling of the grapes. The vinification takes place traditionally in stainless steel tanks, while some of the Premier and Grand Cru wines undergo a small portion of aging in used barrels, allowing for a full malolactic fermentation. One of his oldest vineyard plots, Les Châtillons, planted in the early 1970s, sits just behind the hill of the Grand Crus and showcases the meticulous use of barrel aging, which adds complexity and depth to the cuvée. In 2016, Pierrick expanded his range by starting a small négoce operation, sourcing must from friends who predominantly farm on the left side of the river. This addition includes premier crus such as Beauroy, Beauregard and Vau de Vey, as well as the grand cru of Bougros. In 2019, Pierrick inherited 8 acres of vines from his father-in-law in the southern sector of Chablis, around the village of Courgis. This inheritance includes Petit Chablis, 5.5 acres of Chablis and just over half an acre of the premier cru Les Butteaux. Pierrick Laroche's dedication to his craft is evident in every bottle of wine he produces. With a perfect blend of tradition and innovation, his wines showcase the unique terroir of Chablis, captivating enthusiasts with their finesse, complexity and distinct character. As Pierrick continues to nurture and expand his vineyards, he upholds the family legacy while leaving his own mark on the world of Chablis winemaking. The name of Pierrick's Domaine, "hâtes" refers to an old agricultural unit of measure, similar to the English rod. It evokes the long and slender fields used for sowing, where the longer rows made plowing easier with fewer turns. The term "hâtes" was often used to describe such fields. Produced from vines around 30 year age which are not owned by the domaine but from a producer who is a friend of Pierrick. Premier cru Beauroy has a cooler more north and eastern exposition facing Fourchaume on the other side of the Serein river giving wines which are typically finer and more mineral than those from Fourchaume which mostly faces south-west often yielding riper wines. This wine is raised in stainless steel and shows notable precision and detail finishing with real persistence and a finely chiselled structure. The Maison des Hâtes Pierrick Laroche Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy 2022 is an elegant wine that exemplifies the exceptional quality of the Beauroy Premier Cru vineyard in Chablis. Crafted by Pierrick Laroche, this wine reflects his dedication to producing top-notch Chablis. On the nose, this wine offers enticing aromas of citrus, white flowers and a hint of minerality, showcasing the unique characteristics of the Premier Cru terroir. The palate is treated to a harmonious blend of flavors, with crisp citrus notes, ripe orchard fruits and a subtle saline quality that adds depth and complexity. The wine's vibrant acidity provides a refreshing backbone, while the well-integrated oak influence adds a touch of elegance. The 2022 vintage of Maison des Hâtes Pierrick Laroche Chablis 1er Cru Beauroy is characterized by its excellent structure and balance, indicating its potential for aging. While enjoyable now, this wine has the capacity to develop further complexity and depth over the next several years.