Australia punches above its weight when it comes to wine. Especially when it comes to juicy red wines rich with red and black fruits at varying stages of plushness. And I’m not just saying that because I’m biased after being in and around the industry for over a decade. An Australian shiraz was just named best in the world!
Shiraz, our country’s take on Syrah, is synonymous with Australia. It’s bold, punchy, and chock full of brightness, whether it’s from Barossa or Margaret River. It’s our red wine, and we know how to guide it to its best. This is absolutely evident in the 2026 International Wine Challenge, one of the wine industry’s most respected global competitions.
Beresford Estate Classic Shiraz 2023 beat out its 111 competitors and was awarded 97 points, a Gold Medal and four major trophies, including the coveted International Syrah Trophy.
Winning these kinds of competitions is not rare for the McLaren Vale winery. It boasts over 2,000 medals and 200 trophies within its cellar since Rob and Bronwyn Dundon founded the winery in 1985.
Beresford was one of only ten Australian producers to win a trophy this year. And beyond winning the Syrah trophy is also outscored local big-name brands, including Penfolds Bin 407 Cabernet Sauvignon, Tolpuddle Chardonnay, and House of Arras Grand Vintage.
And the biggest surprise? The unassuming bottle of McLaren Vale shiraz will set you back just $25.
“This result is a genuine reflection of what McLaren Vale is capable of,” says Natalie Cleghorn, Head Winemaker at Beresford Estate. “When you let the fruit and the site do the talking, the quality speaks for itself.”
Natalie joined Beresford Estate in December 2025, so adding this to her growing repertoire of accolades so soon after joining the team is quite the accomplishment.
After hearing the news about the winning wine, I reached out to Natalie to offer my congratulations and find out more about this award-winning and highly affordable wine.
Orlaith: Congratulations on the win! How did you feel when you got the news?
Natalie: It was incredibly rewarding, especially so soon after joining the team. There’s a lot of quiet, careful work that goes into a wine like this, so to see it recognised was a real moment of pride for everyone in the team. It was also a great reflection of the strength of our vineyards and growers, and the consistency and dedication they take to growing fantastic fruit.
How would you describe this wine?
It’s a lovely representation of modern McLaren Vale Shiraz. Generous and expressive, with depth of dark fruit, but also very composed. Beautiful structure and balance through the mid-palate, with fine, persistent tannins. It carries both richness and elegance, which speaks to the site and season.
How would you recommend this wine be enjoyed?
It really shines with food. Something like slow-cooked lamb, braised dishes, or a chargrilled steak works beautifully with the structure and depth. That said, it’s equally enjoyable shared with a yummy pizza and friends.
If not this wine, what is your go-to pairing?
I enjoy all manner of wine and food pairings, lovely cold Riesling with fresh South Australian whiting, Old Vine Grenache with a cheese platter, through to a Coonawarra Cabernet with campfire-cooked steaks.
What, in your opinion, is the perfect glass of wine?
It’s always about context. The right wine, in the right place, with people you enjoy.
When did you realise you wanted to work in wine?
It was a single glass of Champagne; I was blown away that a winemaker was able to create something so beautiful from the humble grape.
What do you love most about your job?
Seeing the process through from vineyard to bottle, then watching people connect with the wine. That full journey is incredibly satisfying.
What does a typical day look like? Is there anything that would surprise people to know?
It really changes with the season. During vintage it’s early starts, long days, constant tasting and quick decisions. Outside of that period, it shifts to planning, blending, working closely with the vineyard, and a fair bit of problem-solving and refinement.
What might surprise people is how much intuition and timing come into it. You can have all the data and analysis, but knowing when to act, or when to step back, is just as important.
What is your personal winemaking philosophy?
It comes back to letting the fruit speak for itself. My role is to ensure that I respect the fruit, and my winemaking approach is to ensure that I am building wines with character, elegance and balance. If the vineyard is doing its job well, the winemaking should be quite considered and measured.
How should people choose a wine at the bottle shop?
Be adventurous! Wine is like art; there is no right or wrong as to what you like or may like. Look for producers who champion new and old varieties and who have a regional base, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to step slightly outside your comfort zone. That’s often where you find something memorable.
What makes McLaren Vale so special?
McLaren Vale is one of the most geologically diverse wine-growing regions in the world. This diversity of vineyard sites, along with the Mediterranean climate, gives me, as a winemaker, an amazing tapestry of flavours and expressions of site to work with. This diversity of vineyards has the ability to result in wines that are elegant and memorable.
What wineries would you recommend punters visit in McLaren Vale or Langhorne Creek?
Beyond our own cellar door, there is a great depth of talent across both regions. In McLaren Vale, you can visit boutique and medium-sized producers, highly awarded producers who are producing wonderful wines such as Yangarra and Oliver’s Taranga, with Bleasdale and Lake Breeze in Langhorne Creek, all offering very distinctive expressions of place and are well worth a visit.
