Case File: The Mystery Pour
Operation: Sip, Guess, Win
Status: Active - every weekend in August
Calling all palate detectives. There’s a case to crack and wine to win.
This August, we’re inviting the sharpest minds (and tastebuds) to step into our Cellar Door for a challenge unlike any other. Hidden among your lineup is one unlabelled wine - a mystery pour, slipped into the middle of your tasting, no clues, no label, and no lifelines.
Your mission, should you choose to accept it? Identify the varietal. Correctly.
If you crack the case, the reward is sweet: a bottle from our Varietal range. Yours to take home on the house.
Even if your guess misses the mark, you’re still in the game. Submit your answer card with your details and you’ll be entered into our Second Chance Draw. At the end of the month, we’ll pull one lucky sleuth from the pile to win a premium prize worth uncovering.
But be warned: only those with pre-booked tastings will be cleared for the investigation. Walk-ins won't make the cut. And this operation runs strictly on weekends throughout August.
So assemble your crew, sharpen your palate, and prepare for the ultimate tasting twist. The game is afoot, and the reward? Worth the sleuthing.
Book your tasting. Crack the case. Claim the wine.
You asked (a lot), we listened - and they’re finally here. Back in stock and ready for a spot in your fridge door.
2025 is shaping up to be a standout year for our cellar, and the return of our much-loved Rosé and Pinot Gris only strengthens the story of an exceptional vintage. With favourable weather, timely rainfall, and a long, even ripening season, this year’s harvest has given us fruit of outstanding quality across the board. While the reds are already making waves, the whites and lighter styles are shaping up to be real standouts - full of freshness, flavour, and finesse.
Our Pinot Gris has long been a favourite, and the 2025 release ticks every box for varietal purity and drinkability. It opens with classic notes of green apple and juicy nashi pear, layered with a touch of fresh-cut herbs for added complexity. The palate is generous and textural, showing ripe orchard fruit before finishing with a clean, zippy acidity.
Affectionately named after Ruby, a third-generation member of the Davis family (and this wine’s number one fan), our Rosé continues to be a seasonal essential. Made from cool-climate Merlot grown in Orange, the 2025 vintage shows vivid notes of guava and strawberries and cream - all carried by a lively line of acidity that keeps things dry and refreshing.
These two are as versatile as they are delicious. Whether you're planning a long lunch, a picnic, or simply winding down with a glass in hand, they’ll rise to the occasion. In other words: no rules, just pour.
These are available in our Cellar Door or on our website.
Our latest red release has hit the ground running, receiving outstanding reviews from Campbell Mattinson (former chief editor for Halliday Wine Companion and founder of The WineFront), Ken Gargett (Wine Pilot) and Sam Kim (Wine Orbit) just this week.
96 Points - 2024 Ampelus Argilla Syrah Tempranillo
"Richly fruited and enticing, the bouquet shows blackcurrant, blueberry, thyme and fennel aromas, leading to a fruit-expressive palate filled with succulent flavours and silky texture. Gorgeously styled with purity and perfume, it's superbly long and expansive on the finish. At its best: 2026 to 2039"
Sam Kim - Wine Orbit.
95 Points - 2023 Single Vineyard 'Big Bully' Cabernet Sauvignon
"The Wrattonbully wine region would have to be one of Australia’s most under-appreciated regions. The truth is that it grows fantastic red wine, full stop, as once again is evidenced here. This is a wine of volume, structure, length and indeed of elegance. It ticks all the boxes and adds a few of its own. It tastes of dark berries, ripe and juicy without being overly sweet. It tastes of leaf matter and tobacco, integrated. It throws violet notes into cedar, pink marshmallow into cream. It’s integrated, balanced, well sustained and svelte. It will cellar beautifully."
Campbell Mattinson.
95 Points - 2024 Limited Release Malbec
"This is a wine and a half. It’s muscular, ferrous, ripped with boysenberry, redcurrant and blackcurrant, and both leathery and herbal in its top notes. There’s a slip of creamy vanilla texture/flavour and crashing wave of tannin, the latter integrated and assertive at once. This is a robust, if not grunty, expression of the malbec grape, and its quality is super."
Campbell Mattinson.
94 Points - 2024 Single Vineyard 'Block 6' Pinot Noir
"Orange district Pinot Noir, which has been crafted from three clones – 114, 115 and 777 – with 100% whole bunch fermentation. Soft garnet in colour, the nose exhibits an array of spices, including sage and thyme, with florals, mulberries, cherries and raspberries. An effusive nose with the fruit to the fore at the moment, but development and complexity is surely on the way. The wine has balance, finesse, a fine line of acidity and excellent length. A Pinot which impresses at every level, there is lots to like here. Enjoy over the next four to six years."
Ken Gargett - Wine Pilot.
94 Points - 2024 Single Vineyard 'Dairy Hill' Shiraz
"Deep fruit flavour, savoury complexity, a wide spread of commanding tannin and the length to match. This is a quality wine from every angle. It tastes of plum, vanilla, earth, sweet roasted spices and redcurrant, and while the fruit has an attractive ripeness/sweetness it also plays clear homage to both smokiness and savouriness in general. Plus, it has that velvety feel that always makes you want to dive in for more."
Campbell Mattinson.
93 Points - 2024 Limited Release Cabernet Franc
"If you like a wine that’s high on character with a smidgen of difference thrown in, then you will love this wine. It’s a beauty. It smells/tastes of grass, blackcurrant, bay leaves, violets, saltbush and peppermint gum trees, and it has an excellent rumble of tannin through the finish, the latter adding pucker, chew, shape and presence. This wine tastes delicious, has excellent depth, and feels serious."
Campbell Mattinson.
It’s no surprise to us that these wines are receiving such acclaim, and the reviews confirm that this collection truly stands among the finest. Andrew Duff has really created something spectacular here - wines that demand attention and a spot in the cellar.
Introducing the latest iterations of our Single Vineyard and Limited Release red wines.
This highly anticipated collection showcases the newest expressions of our most acclaimed Single Vineyard and Limited Release red wines - including fresh vintages of longstanding favourites and compelling new additions. Together, they offer a refined snapshot of our diverse estate vineyard sites across the Hunter Valley, Orange, and Wrattonbully.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, each wine reflects the unique character of its site and season. Winemaker Andrew Duff has applied a careful balance of tradition and innovation - drawing on classic techniques while embracing modern refinements - to shape wines of purity, depth, and elegance. His thoughtful approach to winemaking, guided by precision and intent, has resulted in a release that speaks to both place and purpose.
Built to reward cellaring but offering immense pleasure in their youth, these wines represent the continued pursuit of excellence at every level of our winemaking. This is a release defined by integrity, individuality, and a deep respect for craft.
For a first look at these, join us at our release event on July 3rd, or try them at your leisure in our Cellar Door after the launch.
We’re thrilled to share some fantastic news – our 2023 Single Vineyard 'The Gatherer' Shiraz has just earned an impressive 96-point rating from Halliday Wine Companion.
This recognition reflects the exceptional quality and craftsmanship that define our approach to winemaking. Sourced from the renowned Sweetwater vineyard, The Gatherer Shiraz combines power with elegance, offering a wine that’s both rich in flavor and smooth in texture. As we continue to push the boundaries of excellence, we invite you to discover this remarkable wine for yourself.
Read what Toni Patterson MW had to say about it:
"What a beautiful expression of Sweetwater vineyard fruit, with such graceful flow for a powerful wine. The mulberry and blackberry fruit is delightfully supple, with intensity building beautifully as the palate progresses. There's a perfect synergy between the vineyard's character and the winemaking approach. Simply magnificent. – Toni Paterson, 96 points, Halliday Wine Companion.
Winemaker Andrew Duff says: This wine was a pleasure to finish. Alex Beckett, the previous Briar Ridge winemaker, did all the hard work for me to slide
in along and finish. We were very proud to see this wine win Best One-Year-Old Shiraz at The Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Show in 2024.
H. How does the vineyard influence the wine?
AD. It’s the first time I have had the pleasure of playing with fruit from the Sweetwater vineyard. The blue-fruit spectrum the wine presents is polar to the red-fruit spectrum our Tallavera Grove vineyard displays. The name “The Gatherer” is a tip of the hat to this – gathering fruit from vineyards not family owned.
Best enjoyed: Best decanted prior to serving and enjoyed from the best glass you can find in your collection. Confit duck on puy lentils would be an awesome match."
Don’t miss your chance to experience The Gatherer Shiraz at its best. Use the discount code 96POINTS at checkout to enjoy this award-winning wine at 10% off.
The 2025 Vintage: A Truly Exceptional Year for Hunter Valley Wine
As we reflect on the 2025 vintage, it’s clear that the Hunter Valley is set to deliver some extraordinary wines. Early reports have been overwhelmingly positive, with the weather conditions playing a key role in shaping this exceptional harvest. Although a few extremely hot days impacted growers who didn’t use sunscreen on their fruit, the overall conditions were ideal, and the quality of the grapes is outstanding. After a 50% yield decrease in our own vineyards, crops have returned to normal, and the wines are proving to be well worth the wait.
Favourable Weather and a Strong Growing Season
The growing season leading up to the 2025 harvest was marked by timely rainfall, moderate temperatures, and minimal significant weather events. The Mount View region, where our Hunter holdings are located, was fortunate enough to avoid the damaging hailstorms that affected neighbouring areas like Pokolbin and Lovedale. Despite challenging weather elsewhere, our vineyards benefited from well-timed, limited rainfall, which created the perfect conditions for healthy vine growth.
Our Vineyard Manager, Jeremy O’Brien, has been instrumental in ensuring that our vineyards were in prime condition, implementing an intensive nutrition program and careful management practices that kept the vine canopies healthy and the crop robust. The result is a harvest that is set to produce wines of exceptional quality, especially the reds.
A Harvest to Remember
The harvest began in early January, with our first picks being the Dam Verdelho and Briar Hill Chardonnay, followed closely by Semillon and the alternates of Fiano and Albariño. With excellent fruit sets, great crops, and ideal ripeness, it became clear early on that this would be a standout vintage for the Hunter Valley.
And now, as the red harvest has been completed, we’re excited about the quality of the reds this year. The combination of favourable weather conditions and meticulous vineyard management has resulted in a crop that is both abundant and full of character. The reds from 2025 are expected to have lower alcohols—true to the traditional Hunter style—while offering rich, balanced flavours that will age beautifully in the cellar.
Looking Beyond the Hunter: Orange and Wrattonbully Delivering Exceptional Reds
While the Hunter Valley is the focal point of the 2025 vintage, we also see great promise in other regions such as Orange and Wrattonbully. Orange’s lower crop levels and higher sugar degrees are translating into excellent colour and intensity, with Pinot and young Shiraz expected to be particularly impressive. In Wrattonbully, lower crop yields are resulting in wines with exceptional depth and structure, especially for fans of Big Bully and Bordeaux-style reds.
A Vintage for the Cellar
The 2025 vintage is shaping up to be a classic year, with balanced weather, careful vineyard practices, and exceptional fruit quality. The reds are looking to be truly remarkable, with lower alcohols, rich flavours, and excellent structure. If you’re a collector or wine lover, this is a vintage to watch, and one you’ll want to cellar in abundance for years to come.
As the final stages of harvest wrap up and we process the fruit, we're increasingly confident that the 2025 vintage will be one for the ages. So, stay tuned, this is a vintage you won’t want to miss!
Visit our vineyard to experience the story firsthand.