This SA winery officially has the best shiraz in the world

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
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Australia adds another trophy to its growing shelf of wine awards.

Nothing warms the soul quite like a full-bodied shiraz in winter. And if you live in the Barossa Valley, you can now pop by for a bottle of the best in the world. I’m not exaggerating either – an expert panel at this year’s prestigious Sommelier Choice Awards officially named the red varietal from Hare’s Chase the Shiraz of the Year.

Hare's Chase in the Barossa Valley, SA
Hare’s Chase sits in the Barossa Valley. (Image: Dragan Fine Art Photography)

Australia is home to plenty of impressive wine regions, many of them spread generously across South Australia. With its cool climate, diverse terroir and ideal soil conditions, the state has long been a powerhouse of premium wine production – from the Adelaide Hills to McLaren Vale and the Barossa Valley.

Just an hour’s drive from Adelaide, the Barossa offers a healthy handful of award-winning vineyards, including Hare’s Chase. Sitting atop a hill overlooking its rolling patchwork of vines, the boutique winery is known for producing a curated list of sustainable and flavourful tipples.

Hare's Chase in the Barossa Valley, SA
The 2021 Ironscraper Shiraz claimed Shiraz of the Year.

But it’s the 2021 Ironscraper Shiraz that won the hearts of judges at this year’s Sommelier Choice Awards in Chicago, USA. Characterised by its crimson hue and full-bodied flavour, the vibrant wine carries a wild berry aroma with undertones of cinnamon and chocolate. It delivers an overall punchy plum palate, partnered with soft acidity and velvety tannins.

The wine was evaluated on everything from quality, typicity and value for money to food friendliness and even packaging before being awarded Shiraz of the Year. Not only that, but Hare’s Chase also won Red Wine Producer of the Year, with all four of its entrants also earning gold medals and scores above 90.

Run by Aulian International, the winery has consistently impressed on the global stage, with accolades from the Decanter World Wine Awards, London Wine Show and more. Even its sister Barossa winery, Schubert Estate, is on the rise. Its 2021 ‘The Lone Goose’ shiraz viognier received Best in Show for Australian red wine at the esteemed international wine competition Mundus Vini in Germany.

Hare's Chase in the Barossa Valley, SA
The winery also won Red Wine Producer of the Year. (Image: Dragan Fine Art Photography)

Despite this (and over 20 years’ experience in the industry), it’s still a pinch-me moment for Hare’s Chase chief winemaker, Matt Reynolds. “Being recognised at the Sommeliers Choice Awards by the very professionals who shape the US dining experience is a tremendous honour," he says.

“Having our wine evaluated and awarded by a panel that includes master sommeliers validates our commitment to excellence in every bottle. We pride ourselves in making red wines that deliver on the promise of generous flavour that Barossa is renowned for, and these results uphold the continued appeal and relevance of the classic Barossa style."

Australia is clearly staking its claim in the world of wine. Just take a look at the fierce competition for 2025’s Winery of the Year or the recent Halliday Wine Companion shortlist for 2026 – Shiraz of the Year only adds to an ever-growing tally of achievements.

While there is currently no cellar door, you can catch Hare’s Chase and its award-winning shiraz at the Good Food and Wine Show in Perth (18–20 July) and Brisbane (24–26 October), as well as the Sydney Good Food and Wine Show Christmas Market (2–23 November).

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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Exploring an icon: inside the massive upgrade to Broome’s famous Cable Beach

(Credit: Tourism WA)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
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    With unhurried mornings, long, sun-filled afternoons, evenings shaped around sunset, this iconic beach offers an all-day experience (and it’s about to get even better).

    As the sun slowly rises over the languid waves and fine sand of Broome’s Cable Beach, the morning colours shift from rich apricot to pale gold and frosty pearl. Remnants of life reveal themselves in the subtle shadows – crab claw marks, towel impressions, footprints. Life here is unhurried, but don’t be fooled. This town is continually shifting like the desert dunes that surround it.

    And with a $75 million upgrade – offering easier and more inclusive access for people of all abilities – it’s getting even better.

    Cable Beach upgrade foreshore redevelopment stage 1
    Discover the Cable Beach redevelopment.

    The addition of comfortable and welcoming spaces has begun (and will continue). This means visitors will be able to spend longer enjoying this beautiful environment, while knowing that the upgrade will create a more environmentally protected setting that preserves the natural character visitors come for. Come sunset, soak it in all the better thanks to the already improved foreshore areas, made for lingering while the light changes. And for the kids, a new splash park and accessible dry playground will make it easy to while away the hours.

    Think you know what a day at this beach is like? Think again.

    Morning colours

    car on cable beach at sunrise
    Cable Beach comes alive after sunrise. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    As the sun colours the sky, Cable Beach shows signs of life (and not just the aquatic kind). Locals and visitors alike float in the cool water as it laps the shore, landlubbers explore the coast on foot, runners pace and beachside yoga classes bring quiet movement to the day.

    When the sky is blue and the sun is firmly in position, head down to the well-known Cable Beach House for a long, slow breakfast overlooking the ocean. Think fresh tropical fruit, eggs cooked your way and strong coffee in the warm morning breeze.

    Afternoon adventures

    camel train on cable beach in broome at sunset
    Join a camel train at sunset. (Credit: C J Maddock)

    When you’re ready to explore, carve a path along the Minyirr Park Trail – a gentle 1.5-2km track through coastal bushland with spectacular views of the dunes. Refuel at the nearby Spinifex Brewery for lunch with its low-key, outdoor beer garden. There’s even an outdoor playground if you’re travelling with young humans.

    Walk off your lazy lunch by watching (or joining) one of the beach soccer or volleyball games, or even try Silent Beats Broome – a silent walking disco through the dunes. Or book a spot on the famous camel trains, watching the sun drop below the horizon along the way. They’re a constant reminder of the fascinating history, landscape and cultural mix in this part of the country.

    Evening degustation

    server at Cable Beach Club
    Stop into the Cable Beach Club. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    As the day closes, watch the world-famous Cable Beach sunset from the appropriately named Sunset Grill at Cable Beach Club. This open-air terraced dining spot overlooking the beach is the kind of place where the view takes centre stage.

    While you sip on a lychee, lime & lemonade mocktail or a local beer, enjoy the bustle of life and nature outside as the day comes to an end.

    For dinner, nab a table at the Bali Hai Cafe, where they offer pan-fried crispy barramundi, Abrolhos Island scallops and deep-sea snow crab. When you’re ready for bed, check in to Pinctada Hotel Broome – a lush, tropical resort with palm-dotted gardens and a large, lagoon-style pool to cool off in.

    Beyond the beach

    Beyond the wide, open beach and never-ending sky of Cable Beach, there are many more reasons to visit North West Australia. These are just a few.

    Unmatched experiences

    Shinju Matsuri Festival's popular Long Table Dinner on cable beach
    Join Shinju Matsuri Festival’s popular Long Table Dinner. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Engage with the history of the land and its people on an Indigenous cultural tour exploring everything from the local wildlife to the tastes of bush tucker. To understand the importance of pearling to this town, take a tour of Chinatown, or head outside of town to the live pearl harvests at Willie Creek or Cygnet Bay Pearl Farm, one of Australia’s oldest pearl farms.

    Learn why Japanese pearlers were central to Broome’s pearling success and visit the largest Japanese cemetery in Australia, where 900 Japanese pearlers were buried – a testament to the risks and rewards of this dangerous profession.

    And book ahead every spring for when communal tables, freshly cooked local fare and festoon lighting fill the beach for the extremely popular Long Table Dinner on Cable Beach. It’s a highlight of the Shinju Matsuri Festival, along with the Floating Lanterns Matsuri, where you can personalise a lantern and gently release it into the sea to honour those you love.

    Dining discoveries

    Matso’s Broome Brewery
    Settle in for Matso’s famous ginger or mango beer. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Further your culinary adventure at the laid-back Sunday Sesh at Matso’s Broome Brewery. Chow down on smoked crocodile or Aussie barramundi while kicking back to a local DJ as the heat of the day fades.

    For more tunes, the beautiful outdoor Bay Club at the Mangrove Hotel is a great choice for dinner with live music, DJs or an event that stretches on into the early hours. Still hungry? Pop by Johnny Sausage for Italian-influenced meals paired with impeccable wines.

    Natural beauties

    Gantheaume Point cabnle beach broome
    Experience the striking colours of Gantheaume Point. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Avoid the crowds and head to Town Beach for a quieter vantage point to see the phenomenal Staircase to the Moon – a natural illusion where the rising full moon is reflected on the tidal flats, creating a shimmering ‘staircase’ stretching up to the sky.

    Just south of Cable Beach are the deep red cliffs and dramatic ocean views of Gantheaume Point, where 130-million-year-old dinosaur footprints can be seen, revealed at low tide. Or head to Roebuck Bay to visit the internationally significant wetlands, where vast tidal flats are home to shorebirds and coastal fauna.

    Between October and March, watch turtles nesting and hatchlings emerge from the sand. You’ll be holding your breath as they make their way down to the shoreline, ready to start their life in one of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes.

    For more on Cable Beach and Australia’s North West, visit australiasnorthwest.com.