Why Coonawarra Shiraz Deserves Your Attention
So if we were playing Family Feud and the word was Coonawarra, I promise you one of the top 5 “survey says” responses would be Cabernet. I’d even put money on it. It’s the wine that is immediately associated with the region and that’s okay. Our Cabernet is world-class, award-winning, and absolutely brilliant.
But can we let you in on a little secret? While everyone’s out there associating Cabernet with Coonawarra, Shiraz is the quiet overachiever of the region, the one making magic without all the fanfare. And frankly, it deserves way more credit.
It’s like being the incredibly talented younger sibling who gets overshadowed by their older brother or sister. Sure, they are impressive, but have you actually tasted what the cool kids have been up to?
We think it’s time Coonawarra Shiraz got its moment in the spotlight.
The Same Magic Dirt, Completely Different Personality
Our Shiraz grows on the same famous terra rossa soil over limestone that Coonawarra’s known for. But while Cabernet uses that foundation to build structure and power, Shiraz does something completely different. It creates approachable elegance with serious ageing potential.
Where Cabernet shows off with mint, blackcurrant, and structured tannins, Shiraz takes a different route. Think dark plum, mulberry, white pepper spice, and those gorgeous earthy, savoury notes that make you go back for another sip (and another, and then well another…).
It’s elegant without being aloof. Complex without being complicated. It’s got depth, but it’s not difficult.
The Cool Climate Advantage (And Why We’re Not Barossa)
Now, before anyone gets their knickers in a twist, we absolutely love Barossa Shiraz. It’s legendary for a reason. It’s big, bold, powerful, and jam-packed with flavour.
But Coonawarra Shiraz? Well, it’s like we’re playing a different game entirely.
In warmer regions like Barossa, Shiraz ripens fast. You get big, jammy fruit, high alcohol (often 14.5%+), and that immediate “wow” factor. The flavour hits you upfront, boom, done.
Here in Coonawarra, our cooler temperatures mean the grapes take their sweet time. That extended hang time on the vines means our Shiraz develops incredible complexity while keeping its natural freshness and structure. The fruit stays vibrant, the tannins stay refined, and you get this balance that makes the wine ridiculously food-friendly.
The difference? Warm climate Shiraz announces itself, and then it’s done. Cool climate Shiraz unfolds as you drink it. You might notice dark plum and spice first, then savoury, earthy notes come through mid-palate, and the finish lingers with pepper spice and silky tannins.
It’s not just shouting one flavour at you. It’s got layers.
What Does It Actually Taste Like?
Right, let’s get specific because “elegant” and “complex” can sound like fancy schmancy nonsense without the right context.
When you pour a glass of Coonawarra Shiraz, you’re getting dark plum and mulberry. It’s rich, but not jammy. White pepper spice (that distinctive Shiraz signature). Hints of liquorice and dark chocolate. Subtle earthy notes, forest floor, dried herbs. A whisper of smoke and vanilla from the French oak.
On the palate, juicy dark fruits that aren’t overwhelmingly sweet. That peppery spice carries through. Silky, smooth tannins, not the chewy, mouth-drying kind. Beautiful acidity that keeps it fresh. Savoury, almost meaty characters that make you think “dinner.”
The finish is long and persistent, warming without being hot, and leaves you wanting another sip.
It’s the kind of wine that makes you pause mid-conversation because you’ve just discovered another layer you didn’t notice before.
What About Oak?
All our Shiraz spends time in 300-litre French oak hogshead barrels. We’re talking about a minimum of 18 months of slow maturation, with a mix of new and older barrels depending on the wine.
Why French oak specifically? Because it complements rather than dominates. You get subtle vanilla and spice notes, a touch of toast and smoke, silky texture through micro-oxygenation, and complexity without overpowering the fruit.
American oak (which you’ll find in a lot of Australian Shiraz) tends to be more assertive. Think big vanilla, coconut, sweet spice. It’s delicious, but it can overpower the elegant fruit characters we’re working so hard to preserve.
We like to think of it as French oak whispers, while American oak grabs the mic and announces. For Coonawarra Shiraz, we prefer the whisper.
Our Ezra’s Gift Shiraz, for example, spends 18 months in 30% new French oak. It’s a proper investment because those barrels cost upwards of $1,800 each, so it’s not exactly a casual decision, but the payoff is a wine with incredible depth and subtlety. We’ve found the oak enhances the fruit’s natural character rather than masking it.
Why Shiraz Works With Almost Everything
Cabernet can be a bit of a diva. It demands rich red meats, strong cheeses, dishes that can stand up to its structure. When you nail that pairing, it’s magic. But sometimes you want a wine that just… works.
Coonawarra Shiraz pairs beautifully with the obvious stuff: grilled lamb chops with rosemary, beef stew, BBQ ribs, roast duck.
But also: spicy Mexican dishes (that pepper spice loves chilli), Indian curries (especially lamb-based ones), Moroccan tagines, mushroom risotto (the earthiness matches perfectly), even pizza with Italian sausage.
That balance of fruit, spice, and savoury notes means Shiraz can handle bold flavours without getting overwhelmed. The moderate alcohol and fresh acidity mean it doesn’t tire your palate out either.
Basically, it works for Tuesday night pasta and your 25th wedding anniversary.
About Our Certified Organic Vineyard
All our Shiraz comes from our certified organic vineyard here in Coonawarra. We’ve been practising organic viticulture since 2006, and we got officially certified in 2017.
Why does this matter for Shiraz? Well, healthy soil equals healthy vines, which equals balanced fruit.
Our organic approach means natural pest control, soil biology that feeds the vines properly, smaller and more concentrated grapes, and fruit that needs minimal intervention in the winery.
The result? Shiraz that tastes like Shiraz. Pure, expressive, true to variety and place. No masking with additives, no overcompensating with oak. Just really good grapes turned into delicious wine.
And all our wines are vegan-friendly and low in sulphur, so if you’re one of those people who get headaches from wine, give ours a try. The number of customers who tell us “I can finally drink red wine again!” never gets old.
Our Shiraz Stars: Angel’s Peak and Ezra’s Gift
Right, enough theory. Let’s talk about the actual wines you can drink.
Angel’s Peak Coonawarra Shiraz
This is our everyday hero Shiraz, and by “everyday,” we mean “good enough for special occasions but approachable enough for Tuesday night.”
It’s had approximately 18 months French oak, deep purple colour that evolves to ruby as it ages. You’re getting cassis, dark chocolate, subtle pepper spice, and mint. Brilliant with Moroccan lamb tagine, osso buco, or barbecued chicken. Drink now or cellar until 2035. 13.5% alcohol.
The 2021 vintage scored 92+ points from Winepilot, who praised its “good balance, complexity and interest from certified organic fruit.” Previous vintages have been equally impressive: the 2018 won Double Gold at the G100 International Wine and Spirits Awards, and the 2016 was Equal Top in Category at Winestate Magazine. This wine, I think, is safe to say, consistently punching above its weight.
Ezra’s Gift Shiraz
This is our hand-selected, no-compromises Shiraz. The barrels that make the cut from our oldest vineyard, produces tiny, intense berries at just 1 tonne per acre.
Named after the Angel of writers who encourages self-expression (fitting, given how expressive this wine is).
18 months in 30% new French oak hogsheads. Tar, spice, mulberry, smoky notes with plum and blackberry. Complex fusion of dark blackcurrants, vanilla, and pepper spice. Brilliant with charcuterie, grilled meats, or spicy dishes (Mexican, Indian, anything bold). Built to age gracefully until 2035. 14% alcohol.
This is the Shiraz you bring out when you want to show off a bit. It’s serious, structured, and seriously good.
Our Thoughts
Look, we get it. Cabernet is what Coonawarra is known for, and we’re incredibly proud of our Cabernets. They’re award-winning, age-worthy, and absolutely deserving of their reputation.
But if you’re only drinking Cabernet from Coonawarra, you’re missing half the story.
Coonawarra Shiraz offers the same world-class terroir, cool climate elegance you won’t find in warmer regions, depth and complexity that develops across every sip, food pairing versatility that makes it ridiculously useful, ageing potential that rivals Cabernet, and immediate drinkability while still being complex.
Everyone comes to Coonawarra for Cabernet. But the smart people leave with Shiraz too.
Ready to See What We Mean?
Autumn is here, red wine season is beckoning, and honestly, there’s never been a better time to discover what Coonawarra Shiraz is all about.
We’ve got Angel’s Peak Shiraz (2021) and Ezra’s Gift Shiraz (2020) available now. Both are drinking beautifully, both will age gracefully.
Drop into the cellar door and we’ll pour you both Shiraz alongside a Cabernet so you can taste the difference for yourself. Can’t make it to Coonawarra? Shop online and we’ll send them your way.
Cabernet might be what the region is known for, but Shiraz is equally worth your attention.
If you’ve been ignoring Shiraz because “Coonawarra = Cabernet,” you’ve been missing out on something pretty special.
