hero media

This $25 McLaren Vale wine just took out the title of world’s best shiraz 

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
The world’s best shiraz for 2026 isn’t a rare collector’s bottle or triple-digit splurge. It’s a bang-for-your-buck sipper from SA punching well above its price tag.

Australians have long backed the quality of their world-class wines, but the latest winner comes with a surprise twist: it costs just $25. The McLaren Vale shiraz proves you don’t need deep pockets to drink like a champion.  

Beresford Estate‘s Classic Shiraz 2023 has just won the title of the world’s best shiraz at the 2026 International Wine Challenge, one of the most prestigious wine awards in the world. Rising to the top of 111 international shiraz entries, the wine scored an impressive 97 points during the blind tasting and emerged as the highest-scoring Australian Trophy winner across the entire competition. It also took out four trophies, making it one of the most awarded wines in the competition, across all countries. 

beresford estate shiraz
Beresford Estate’s Classic Shiraz has been named the world’s best.

The accolade adds to South Australia’s growing culinary clout, which has been enjoying a surge of global attention since the Michelin Guide revealed the state would feature in its first-ever Australian edition.  

At just $25 a bottle, Beresford Estate’s Classic Shiraz outshone a host of premium labels such as Penfolds, Tolpuddle, House of Arras and Stefano Lubiana – showing you don’t need to fork out a fortune to sip the world’s top drops.  

beresford estate
Beresford Estate offers guided wine tastings as well as vineyard accommodation.

But what exactly makes this drop stand out from the pack?

The shiraz is a well-balanced, medium-bodied expression of McLaren Vale’s unique terroir, layered with hints of red cherry, cloves, musky redskin, vanilla bean and fine-grained tannins that coat the mouth with a smooth texture. Subtle plum and floral notes on the nose add lift and elegance, creating a wine that is at once approachable and complex. 

beresford estate winemaking
A rigorous winemaking process ensures the shiraz is well-balanced.

And with winter officially settled in, now is the perfect time to crack open a bottle. Bring it to a fireside dinner reservation, pair with a slow-cooked roast or savour over a lingering lunch with friends. 

beresford estate shiraz
Cosy up by the fire with a glass of world-class shiraz.

Established in 1985, Beresford Estate has long been capturing the spirit of McLaren Vale’s subregion of Blewitt Springs in a quiet pocket of South Australia. Now, with a world title under its belt, the secret is officially out. 

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Can you visit Beresford Estate, McLaren Vale?

beresford estate
Beresford Estate is set on 28 hectares of vineyards.

Beresford Estate welcomes visitors to explore its range of wines in person. The 28-hectare vineyard offers a variety of experiences onsite, from shiraz soirees with canapés and live music to classic guided wine tastings and gourmet Picnic & Sip hampers. Guests can also stay on the estate in contemporary suites overlooking rolling vineyards.

Planning an escape to McLaren Vale? Read our pick of the best things to do in McLaren Vale. 

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
View profile and articles
things to do McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale

This coastal wine region serves up world-class shiraz, fresh produce and scenic trails

Come for the food and wine, and stay for the rugged coastline, long walks and adventuring.

Read more
outdoor dining at Pearl Kiosk, Aldinga Beach
McLaren Vale

Our guide to the best cafes in McLaren Vale

Fuel up ahead of a day exploring the McLaren Vale the right way with coffee and breakfast at these standout cafe spots.

Read more
the restaurant exterior of Silver Sands Beach Club, McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale

Our guide to the best McLaren Vale restaurants to book now

With paddock-to-plate fine dining and coastal seafood meals with sweeping views, McLaren Vale’s dining scene delivers flavour, creativity and a true sense of place.

Read more
a modern cottage in Wine Down, McLaren Vale
McLaren Vale

Our guide to the best McLaren Vale accommodation

Stay in style at one of these comfortable retreats.

Read more
hero media

9 of the best Sydney hotel bars for a local adventure during Vivid

(Credit: Nikki To)

    Lucy Cousins Lucy Cousins
    Continue
    A great night out doesn’t need a road trip, just the right bar. Swap the long drive for an evening at these standout Sydney venues.

    If you’re thinking of a staycation or a long weekend (with foodie benefits), you can’t get much better than the bright lights and beautiful vistas of Sydney. From tucked-away bars to late-night hidden hangs, Australia’s (unofficial) favourite city is packed full of venues that make staying local feel like an adventure.

    And with Vivid lighting up the sky this winter, there’s no better time to find the perfect cosy spot to enjoy the views or escape the crowds.

    1. El Vista, Circular Quay

    bar tender at El Vista, Circular Quay sydney hotel bars
    Enjoy tasty cocktails and gorgeous Sydney views. (Credit: Mario Francisco)

    This welcoming bar by the Maybe Sammy team offers a fun buzz and jaw-dropping harbour views. Part of the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour, this lounge bar sits above Circular Quay with the harbour on one side and the Botanical Gardens on the other. You may start here for pre-dinner drinks, but you won’t want to leave before the early hours. If the 1960s Acapulco vibe isn’t enough, the views will be – the Sydney Harbour Bridge is so close it hardly fits in the window, while ferries glide by all night.

    2. Bar Allora, CBD

    Bar Allora, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Settle in for a taste of Italy.

    Inspired by Milan in the 1980s, Bar Allora brings Italian style and culture to the CBD. Although it’s officially part of the Mantra 2 Bond Street hotel, it’s designed to look and feel like you’ve travelled to Italy for all-day dining. Think espresso in the morning, aperitivo in the afternoon and Negronis late into the night. Accompany your liquid diet with Italian-style small plates and pastas with a modern twist.

    3. Percy, Pyrmont

    Percy Sydney hotel bars
    Spanish-style tapas and wine is the name of the game. (Credit: Steven Woodburn)

    Taking centre stage in the luxe foyer of the Woolstore 1888 Hotel in Pyrmont, Percy is a popular Spanish-style tapas and wine bar serving food that makes you want to linger. The restored 138-year-old wool store creates an atmospheric backdrop to your glass of merlot with exposed timber beams, brick and the echoes of Sydney’s past. With an air of Barcelona, expect low conversations, creative dining and the city moments away.

    4. The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD

    The Crudo Bar at Flaminia, CBD Sydney hotel bars
    Seafood lovers should head to The Crudo Bar. (Credit: Nikki To)

    Grab a seat at the beautifully designed crudo bar, taking centre stage of Giovanni Pilu’s latest CBD restaurant, Flaminia. Enjoy a glass of chilled Vermentino from Sardinia or prosecco from the hills of Treviso, matched with freshly shucked oysters. Complement your seafood with a range of special dressings, influenced by iconic Italian port cities. It’s the perfect spot for a pre- or post- glass of wine before visiting the Sydney Opera House.

    5. Mee So, Sydney Central

    Mee So sydney
    Enjoy Japanese-influenced food and drinks.

    For something a little different, Mee So is a modern, neon-lit Japanese-influenced bar in the Ibis Sydney Central. Serving bold flavours and umami-heavy dishes alongside sake and yuzu-infused cocktails, this Tokyo-esque venue offers an escape from the busy streets outside. Order steaming ramen, a Japanese whisky and make a corner of Mee So yours for the night.

    6. Bar Morris, Haymarket

    Bar Morris sydney
    Settle into old-world European glamour.

    Housed in a 1929 heritage-listed building, Bar Morris brings old-world European glamour to the Hotel Morris Sydney, part of Accor’s Handwritten Collection. More of a destination than a pitstop, this bar leans into its Art Deco past with velvet features, intimate lighting and bold brass finishes. Here you can order smaller plates like burrata, cured meats, and seasonal seafood to match your martini.

    7. Pumphouse, Darling Harbour

    Pumphouse sydney
    Enjoy a tipple inside a building from the 1880s.

    When you first walk into Pumphouse, you’ll quickly notice the high ceilings, exposed brick and industrial style decor. Officially part of the busy Novotel Darling Square, this busy local hang doesn’t feel like it; it’s housed inside a former hydraulic pumping station from the 1880s – hence the name – and a local institution. Grab a seat if you can and order off the classic modern Australian menu, before trying one of the many craft beers on tap to wash it down.

    8. Wentworth Bar, CBD

    Wentworth Bar sydney hotel bars
    Drink where the celebrities once did.

    Designed for big groups and late-night cocktails, this open-air terrace bar is part of the Sydney Sofitel Wentworth – one of Sydney’s most iconic hotels. Once the watering hole of royals and celebrities, this mid-century building has recently been refurbished to be sleek, modern and inviting. The stunning rooftop bar attracts Sydneysiders who love to watch the sunset with a table full of Vietnamese and French-inspired dishes.

    9. Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington

    Monica Rooftop Bar, Paddington sydney
    See the city skyline, drink in hand.

    Sitting pretty on top of a restored 110-year-old theatre, Monica is a Hollywood-style rooftop bar with views across Paddington and the city skyline. Part of the 25hrs The Olympia hotel, this isn’t a quick drink kind of place, it’s a ‘let’s stay all night’ kind of venue. Weekend DJs will take you from sunset to late-night conversations, while you graze on ceviche, grilled meats or sharing plates.

    For more information on how to enjoy Sydney for a long weekend, visit ALL.com.