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Ken Gargett

Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
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Fabal Vineyard Road The Edge Block Shiraz 2022

Barossa Valley Shiraz, sourced from a block, not surprisingly located on the ‘edge’ of one of their premier vineyards. Maturation...
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Fabal Vineyard Road Moppa Springs Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Moppa Springs is located close to the town of Greenock in the Barossa Valley, and the team believe that their...
Gudilly Moscato nv lowres

Gudilly Single Vineyard Moscato 2026

Coming in at just 7% alcohol, not that much more than a strong beer, this is a style of wine...
AROHA

Craggy Range Aroha Pinot Noir 2024

From the Martinborough region in New Zealand, which makes some of the world’s best Pinot Noir, the fruit here hails...
LES BEAUX CAILLOUX

Craggy Range Les Beaux Cailloux Chardonnay 2024

Granted there is a price dip discrepancy between top Chardonnays like this and Sauvignon Blanc, but it seems so harsh...
SOPHIA

Craggy Range Sophia Merlot 2024

From the Gimblett Gravels sub-region in Hawkes Bay, Merlot (79%) is always dominant in this wine, supported by Cabernet Franc...
LE SOL

Craggy Range Le Sol Syrah 2024

Right from the very beginning of the Craggy Range adventure, this wine has been my favourite of their range. I...
SchildEstate Chardonnay NV

Schild Estate Barossa Chardonnay 2026

While this is a very early release from the 2026 vintage, it is from a more normal vintage than that...
CapeBarren NativeGoose Rose

Cape Barren Native Goose McLaren Vale Rosé 2026

The specific varieties used in this Rosé are not revealed, but that makes no difference in the end. The grapes...
Olea Prosecco

Olea Padthaway Prosecco NV

Prosecco from the Padthaway region, the team used only free run juice with fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Lemon/gold in...
Mock DevittMoore Sunderland Pinot Gris NV

Devitt & Moore Sutherland Pinot Gris 2026

The fruit used here is from a range of regions throughout the Limestone Coast, Wrattonbully, Robe, Coonawarra and Padthaway. Fermentation...
Olea Pinot Grigio

Olea Padthaway Pinot Grigio 2026

Pinot Grigio which is sourced from three vineyards across the Padthaway region, fermentation is done by way of individual batches...
Reschke Bull Trader Cabernet Merlot NV

Reschke Bull Trader Cabernet Merlot 2021

Great to see that wines from the brilliant 2021 vintage are still available. The fruit comes from a vineyard planted...
Reschke R Series Rose NV

Reschke R-Series Rosé 2026

The fruit for this delicious Rosé comes from a single vineyard in Padthaway, growing Shiraz. Fermentation was in stainless steel...
Schoolhouse Headmaster Sauv Blanc CW NV

Schoolhouse Headmaster Sauvignon Blanc 2026

From the Limestone Coast region in South Australia, the wine undergoes a cool fermentation with what the team describe as...
Schoolhouse Headmaster Pinot Gris LC NV

Schoolhouse Headmaster Pinot Gris 2026

The team source fruit from three regions in the Limestone Coast, Padthaway, Wrattonbully and Coonawarra for this youthful and fresh...
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Maison Clair Prosecco NV

The fruit here was sourced from vineyards across the state of South Australia. Fermentation was temperature controlled in stainless steel....
Ulithorne Frux Frugis Shiraz

Ulithorne Frux Frugis McLaren Vale Shiraz 2021

2021 was a great vintage in the McLaren Vale region and it is fabulous to still see wines from that...
Archery Road Longbow Shiraz

Archery Road Longbow Barossa Valley Shiraz 2022

From the excellent 2022 vintage, the grapes were sourced from vineyards in the southwest of the Barossa Valley. The vineyards...
Bone Dry Shiraz NV

Bone Dry Shiraz 2024

South Australian Shiraz from Terra Rosa soils which saw skin contact for between ten and eighteen days before a fermentation...
NV Across the Creek Shiraz

Bethany Blue Quarry Across the Creek Vineyard Shiraz 2024

The fruit here comes from the team’s vineyard with the highest elevation (300 metres above sea level) and which they...
NV Contours Gren

Bethany Blue Quarry Contours Vineyard Grenache 2024

The fruit is sourced from what the team call the Survivor Grenache, planted just below their winery, which they believe...
NV Bethanien Sth

Bethany Blue Quarry Bethanien South Vineyard Shiraz 2024

The fruit here is sourced from this classic Barossa Valley vineyard, which was planted in 1992. Maturation is in French...
NV Manse

Bethany Blue Quarry Manse Vineyard Grenache 2024

The fruit here is sourced from centenarian bush vines, planted in 1924, in their Manse Block. Crimson/garnet, on the nose...

Stories

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There is surely no wine region in this country which has more elite wineries than Margaret River. The advantage for...
PEN NV SpeRel CabShiraz SouthAus Superblend B Duo Cork

Penfolds Superblend

Every Australian winelover will surely be aware of just how much Penfolds love to release special wines, whether they have...
PEN La Chapelle Grange winemakers barrels

La Chapelle Grange 2022

The second release of this extraordinary Rhone/Aussie blend, crafted by two of the world’s great wineries, Jaboulet and Penfolds, has...
AMW Collection

Appellation Marlborough Wine Announces 2025 Annual Collection

A benchmark selection of certified Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Appellation Marlborough Wine (AMW) has announced its highly anticipated Annual Collection for...
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The Barossa Wine Guide 2026

By Ken Gargett, Andrew Caillard MW and Tony Love The Barossa is unquestionably Australia’s most famous wine region. Certainly not...
Penfolds Collection Credit Marten Ascenzo

Penfolds 2025 – Ken Gargett

Penfolds Bin 51 Eden Valley Riesling 2025 ($45)A classic Bin 51. It might be early days but this wine suggests...
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