Avatar photo

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.
x Mt Bera AH AMPHITHEATRE Blaufrankish

Mt Bera Amphitheatre Blaufrankish 2024

An Austrian variety which we do not see a lot of in Australia, but it is known in Europe for...
MtB W&F Pinot Noir

Mt Bera Wild & Free Pinot Noir 2024

A thoroughly enjoyable Pinot Noir from the Adelaide Hills, from a good vintage. The colour is a pale crimson/garnet. We...
MMROXX NV Website Bottle Shot

Mezzacorona Meso di Mezzo Pinot Grigio Rosé 2024

It is well known that the Pinot Grigio/Gris grape can provide more colour than we normally see with traditional white...
TamarRidge NV SingleBlock PinotNoir mL NV ()

Tamar Ridge Single Block Rosevears Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024

The team have fashioned a stunning Pinot Noir from a single block in the Rosevears Vineyard, which is located by...
TamarRidge NV ResearchSeries PinotNoir mL ()

Tamar Ridge Research Series Pinot Noir 2022

Superb Pinot Noir from the team at Tamar Ridge, this is part of their research programme. The fruit comes from...
Stonehaven LVR Coonawarra CabSauv NV

Stonehaven Limited Vineyard Release Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

A fine Cabernet from the Coonawarra region, hailing from that very special vintage of 2021. The vines are entering their...
OH Founders Shiraz

Organic Hill Founders Release Shiraz 2023

Opaque maroon in colour, again we are down the preservative free, organic path. Slightly savoury in character, the nose gives...
OH Founders Shiraz

Organic Hill Founders Release Shiraz 2021

Organic and preservative free, this Shiraz is from the excellent 2021 vintage. Much to like here. Vibrant purple/maroon in hue,...
OH Founders Shiraz

Organic Hill Founders Release Shiraz 2020

As one might expect from the name, organics and biodynamics are in play here. From McLaren Vale, we are also...
OH Founders Grenache

Organic Hill Founders Release McLaren Vale Grenache 2024

For me, this is a step up on the previous vintage, quite a considerable one. No doubt that can be...
OH Founders Grenache

Organic Hill Founders Release McLaren Vale Grenache 2023

A finely crafted McLaren Vale Grenache, grown and made according to biodynamic principles. Deep magenta purple in colour, this is...
COPReserveChardonnay

Chain of Ponds Reserve Chardonnay 2025

Maturation for this fine Adelaide Hills Chardonnay was in a mix of new and older French oak puncheons and hogsheads....
COPReservePinotNoir

Chain of Ponds Reserve Pinot Noir 2025

The fruit here came from a number of vineyards across the Kuitpo, Lenswood and Hahndorf sub-regions of the Adelaide Hills....
HR running creek pinot noir

Gioiello Running Creek Pinot Noir 2024

From the Upper Goulburn region, this is a most impressive Pinot Noir. Pale crimson in colour, the nose gives us...
Mt Concord Syrah HR

Gioiello Mt Concord Syrah 2021

A most appealing Syrah from the 2021 vintage, meaning it has already had some time to develop complexity and secondary...
Syrah HR

Gioiello Estate Syrah 2021

This may not sit on the same level as the Mt Concord Syrah the team offer but at the moment,...
Hirsch Hill Reserve Pinot Noir

Hirsch Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2024

The vines here are three decades old, the MV6 clone. Partial whole bunch fermentation is adopted here, with the wine...
Hirsch Hill Reserve Chardonnay

Hirsch Hill Reserve Chardonnay 2024

The Toolangi sub-region in the Yarra Valley is one of the most highly regarded, offering excellent Chardonnay and Pinot Noir....
NV Puppet Master Chardonnay xpx

Puppet Master Chardonnay 2024

An exceptionally well-priced Chardonnay from Western Australia, there is a gentle oak influence here. The colour is a very pale...
Puppet Master NV Prosecco x

Puppet Master Prosecco NV

A delightful local Prosecco, the method of production is noted as the ‘Italian method’. The second fermentation occurs in stainless...
Puppetmaster Grenache NV x

Puppet Master Grenache 2023

It is only in very recent years that the rest of Australia has discovered just how good Grenache can be...
NV Puppet Master Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot xpx

Puppet Master Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022

An impressive blend of these traditional Bordeaux varieties, the fruit comes from a range of West Australian regions. Ruby crimson...
NV Puppet Master Syrah xpx

Puppet Master Syrah 2023

West Aussie Shiraz, the aim here is to favour elegance over force. From a range of vineyards across the State,...
Marchand & Burch Mount Barker Chardonnay x

Marchand & Burch Mt Barrow Chardonnay 2024

This wine has been known as their Mount Barker Chardonnay in the past, but they have become a little more...

Stories

Webicon

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...
MartenAscenzo Penfolds PenfoldsMediaPreview D

Penfolds 2023 – ‘The Aussies’

There is no release more anticipated by winelovers in Australia than the annual Penfold’s Collection and of course, most especially...

Artisans of the Barossa (2021 Grenache Project)

One of the more interesting projects currently afloat in Aussie wine at the moment, especially appropriate given the skyrocketing interest...

Alkina – The Curious Box of Paradoxes

Alkina is a curious box of paradoxes. Seemingly unlimited resources but still tiny; a small local operation yet part of...

Cumulus and Quilty & Gransden

They say that Disneyland is the happiest place on earth. Perhaps, but I would suggest that the Australian wine industry...
winepilot