Shiraz

A wine that emphasizes the freshness of the grape and the minimal intervention winemaking approach. “Nouveau-style” wines are typically released shortly after harvest to showcase the primary fruit characteristics of the grape variety.

Here’s how our surprising Shiraz presents:

Colour: Deep ruby red with purple undertones, reflecting its youthful and intense appearance.

Aromas: The wine's aromatic profile is focused on the primary fruit characteristics of the Shiraz grape. Expect aromas of ripe blackberries, and hints of plum. The absence of sulfur does allow the grape's natural aromatic intensity to shine, possibly with a touch of earthiness or subtle floral notes.

Palate: On the palate, the Shiraz does offer a medium to medium-full body with an immediate burst of fruit flavours. The dark berry notes from the nose might transition smoothly to the palate, accompanied by a lively acidity that contributes to a fresh and lively mouthfeel.

Minimal Intervention: The absence of added sulfur underscores a minimal intervention winemaking philosophy, allowing the grape's natural attributes and the vintage conditions to be the main contributors to the wine's character.

Food Pairing: This style of this Shiraz makes it versatile for pairing with a variety of dishes. Consider enjoying it with grilled meats, charcuterie, pizza, or even slightly spicy dishes.

Overall Impression: The 2021 Preservative Free Shiraz from the Hunter Valley, made without the use of sulfur, does offer a vibrant and joyful wine experience. Its focus on immediate fruit expression, minimal intervention, and the unique attributes of the vintage make it an appealing choice for those seeking a red wine that captures the true essence of the Shiraz grape in a lively and uncomplicated form.

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The Hunter Valley is Australia’s premium Shiraz region.  Sweetwater Estate shiraz grapes are hand-picked on land that has been the setting since 1844, for one of the oldest known vineyard sites in the Lower Hunter Valley.

Grown in ancient red soils, nourished by local clear waters and blessed by Australia’s abundant and constant sunshine.

Latest Wine Show Results

4x Trophies l 1x Gold Medal - Hunter Valley Wine Show 2025

• The Doug Seabrook Memorial Trophy for Best Red Wine of Show
• Len Evans Trophy for Best Single Vineyard Red
• Hector Tulloch Memorial Trophy for Best Shiraz
• Stibbard- Hulin Trophy for Best Two-Year-Old Shiraz

96 Points

"An aromatic, robust yet classically styled shiraz with outstanding fruit concentration and class. Deeply coloured, it holds its cards close to its chest at first but, with air, it becomes magnificent. Plush, inky blood plums are wrapped in a matrix of complex tannins that build from the mid-palate. Adding intrigue is a faint sanguine note, along with fragrant potpourri and dried dark cherry. It is a dark and serious wine of character and depth destined to evolve beautifully with time. Decant vigorously if drinking young."

Halliday Wine Companion, Toni Paterson

Published 19 June 2025

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The harmonious marriage of these two iconic grape varieties, from two iconic regions of New South Wales.

Here's how this vintage of our Cabernet Shiraz blends presents:

Colour: Deep ruby red with crimson highlights, reflecting the wine's concentration and youthfulness.

Aromas: The wine does offer an enticing and complex aromatic profile. Ripe blackberries and dark cherries dominate, courtesy of the Shiraz, while Cabernet Sauvignon does contribute hints of cassis and subtle green bell pepper notes. The interplay of the two varieties does create an aromatic tapestry that includes nuances of tobacco, dried herbs, and possibly a touch of mint.

Palate: On the palate, the blend might present a medium-full body with a rich and balanced expression. The dark fruit flavours from the nose does transition smoothly to the palate, supported by well-integrated tannins. The Hunter Valley's signature acidity does provide a lively backbone, enhancing the wine's structure.

Finish: The finish is lengthy and satisfying, with the wine's dark fruit flavours and oak nuances lingering on the palate.

Food Pairing: The wine's balanced structure and blend of fruitiness and complexity make it versatile for pairing. Consider matching it with hearty dishes like grilled steak, roasted lamb, or rich stews. The blend's tannins and acidity does also complement dishes featuring mushrooms or aged cheeses.

Ageability: Depending on the winemaking decisions and the vintage's characteristics, this blend does have potential for modest aging, allowing its flavours to evolve and integrate over time.

Overall Impression: The 2022 Heavy Metal blend from our Sweetwater Vineyard, offers a captivating and layered wine experience. Its interplay of dark fruit, structure, and the influence of terroir does create a wine that appeals to those seeking a well-rounded red blend that reflects both the grape varieties and the unique qualities of the Hunter Valley's terroir.

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Our Shiraz wine from Dalwood Estate, crafted from grapes grown in rich red soils, showcases a unique and captivating character. The climatic conditions of this vintage, characterized by cooler temperatures and abundant rainfall, have left an indelible mark on the wine's profile.

In appearance, the wine is a deep and alluring hue, hinting at its concentration and depth. The rich red soils have imparted a remarkable intensity to the colour, inviting the eye to explore further.

On the nose, the wine unfolds with a delightful aromatic journey. Ripe red fruits dominate the forefront, their lusciousness a testament to the optimal ripening achieved despite the cooler weather. The abundance of rainfall has nurtured these fruits, enhancing their sweetness and aromatic complexity. Intertwined with the fruit notes is an enchanting medley of spices, lending a layer of intrigue and depth to the aromatic profile. This harmonious interplay of red fruits and spices creates an inviting anticipation of what's to come.

The palate, a seamless continuation of the aromatic experience, reflects the skilled craftsmanship that has gone into this wine. The ripened fruit flavours observed on the nose translate brilliantly onto the palate, where they unfold with a silky and velvety texture. The early February harvest decision has resulted in a wonderful balance between fruit ripeness and vibrant acidity, contributing to a refined and elegant structure.

One of the standout features of this Shiraz is its well-integrated oak presence. The winemaker has artfully used french oak barrels to enhance the wine's complexity without overpowering its inherent characteristics. The oak imparts subtle nuances of vanilla, and toasted spices, contributing to the wine's overall depth and sophistication.

In summary, the 2023 Shiraz from the Hunter Valley, nurtured by the rich red soils and influenced by a cooler vintage with ample rainfall, is a wine that encapsulates the essence of its origin and the conditions of its growth. With its deep colour, red fruit and spice aromatics, seamlessly integrated oak, and a palate that strikes the balance between opulence and structure, this wine is a testament to the artistry of winemaking and the terroir it hails from.

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Crafted from the finest parcels of our iconic Sweetwater Vineyard, our 2023 Epic Shiraz pays tribute to the Hunter Valley's rich terroir and generations of winemaking expertise.

Hand-plunged twice daily during fermentation, our fruit undergoes meticulous extraction, resulting in a wine of unparalleled depth and character. Aged for 16 months in French oak barriques, Epic Shiraz showcases our commitment to quality.

Since 2017, our chief winemaker has focused on sourcing the finest fruit from premium NSW regions, ensuring only the best for Epic. With soils akin to terra rossa, our vineyard offers gentle morning sun exposure for concentrated flavours.

Experience the epitome of excellence with Epic Shiraz – a celebration of our winemaking heritage and unwavering commitment to quality.

Awards & Reviews:

Gold - Hunter Valley Wine Show 

Gold - NSW Wine Awards

Silver -  Rutherglen Wine Show

Silver  - Royal Melbourne Wine Show

96 Points - Halliday Wine Companion by Toni Paterson

"This beautiful wine, from the Sweetwater vineyard, offers a perfect balance of a sweeter fruit profile and the grace for which Hungerford Hill wines are known. Mellow notes of raspberry sorbet and cherry compote glide effortlessly across the palate, while impressive weight lends the wine an opulent, luxurious feel. The tannins are fine and there is excellent length and balance. It is drinking beautifully now, yet it has the potential to evolve further with cellaring."

96 Points - Wine Pilot by Shanteh Wale

"Fruit is from the Sweetwater vineyard and walks the line of dynamic intensity and sophistication. It’s filled to the brim with blackberries, plums, nigella and juniper spice. Volcanic rock and black truffle savouriness. Its agile acidity is melted into the heart of the wine with slippery tannins and an effortless grace. Oak nuances capture the beauty of the fruit, aiding its pretty florals and lifted line of berries. A beautiful wine with delicacy, poised for long term cellaring or equally enjoyed now. A wine for slivers of top grade wagyu seared for mere moments before popping in the mouth." 

A harmonious combination of ripe fruit flavours and the subtle influences of oak aging, creating a wine with a pleasing balance between fruitiness and complexity.

Here's how such a wine presents as follows:

Colour: Deep ruby red with vibrant purple hues, presenting youthfulness and intensity.

Aromas: The wine does showcase an inviting bouquet of ripe fruit aromas. Expect a medley of red and dark berries, such as blackberries, raspberries, and dark cherries. These fruity notes is accompanied by a touch of blueberry and possibly hints of plum. The oak aging does contribute subtle vanilla and spice aromatics, enhancing the overall aromatic profile.

Palate: On the palate, the Shiraz does present a medium to medium-full body with a focus on fruit-forward flavours. The ripe berry flavours from the nose does carry over, accented by a touch of dark chocolate or cocoa. The oak influence might manifest as well-integrated hints of vanilla and a gentle, warming spiciness.

Oak Influence: French oak aging does add layers of complexity to the wine without overpowering the fruit. Look for elegant oak nuances that complement and enhance the fruit character rather than dominating it.

Texture: The wine's texture is smooth and velvety, with ripe tannins contributing to a pleasant mouthfeel and structure.

Finish: The finish is medium to long, with the wine's ripe fruit flavours lingering on the palate, accompanied by a subtle touch of oak spice.

Food Pairing: The fruitiness of the wine combined with the gentle oak influence would make it versatile for pairing with a range of dishes. Consider matching it with grilled meats like lamb chops, pork tenderloin, or even a well-seasoned burger. It does also pair nicely with dishes featuring roasted vegetables and savoury spices.

Ageability: While the wine is designed to showcase its vibrant fruitiness in its youth, the well-integrated oak and balanced structure does provide potential for short to medium-term aging, allowing the oak influences to further integrate.

Overall Impression: The 2023 Hunter Valley Shiraz matured in French oak does offer an inviting and approachable style that celebrates the region's ripe fruit characteristics while embracing the subtle complexities imparted by oak aging. Is a wine that appeals to those seeking a fruity and flavourful red with an added layer of depth and sophistication.

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