Before David Powell took on the task of raiding Barossa vineyards, he spent several years on the Scottish Highlands as a lumberjack in the Torbreck forest. Woodcutter Shiraz is a highly approachable introduction to the Torbreck range, featuring fruit from some of the up and coming vineyards, rather than the battle hardened old warriors which make up the heart and soul of the Torbreck winelist. This is the kind of red the winemaker himself liked to drink with a hearty meal after a hard day's work in the wood, but you don't have to be a woodcutter to enjoy it.

Fashioned with the savoury, food friendly dry whites of southern France in mind, Woodcutter Semillon is the ideal tonic after a long day in the vineyard. The copper hued skins of the characterful and ancient Madeira clone of Semillon, fleshes out the palate markedly, infusing the complexity of pineapples and almond kernel, roasted cashew and ripe white peach. A match to creamy French style curries, yabbles and frog legs almondine or grilled fishes on fragrant rice.

Rhône Valley grapes seem to flourish in the Barossa, enthused by sunny Mediterranean climes and stimulated by the cooling breezes off Gulf St Vincent. Torbreck retain access to the finest parcels of white Rhône varietals in the entire Valley. Woodcutter is fashioned to be dominated by a larger component of Roussanne, which provides the structure and length, Marsanne adds complexity, texture and palate richness. Viognier contributes pure, floral lift, finishing the wine with a measure of refinement and mark of elegance.

David Powell planted Viognier in 1994, with a view to emulating the great growths of Condrieu. Powell is enamoured of the beguiling Viognier, an essential component of his Shiraz flagships, it offers remarkable eloquence and great distinction when grown and crafted without compromise into a pure varietal wine. Only ever made in the finest vintage years and immediately recognizable as an exceptional wine, the white of choice to accompany Sauce au beurre blanc sur les poissons ou quenelles, garnitures à la financière ou quelque chose au pâte feuilletée.

Torbreck are strongly influenced by the long enduring, classic French styles of wine. The wild, rugged and earthen aromas associated with France's Bandol provide the basis for The Pict, a powerful single vineyard, pure Mataro wine. Sourced exclusively from a plot of ancient vines near the hamlet of Greenock, the palate is elegantly rich, earthy and beautifully balanced for early drinking, a profound expression of Mataro, untamed and wild, almost certainly enough to satiate a Pictish warrior.

Roussanne is a deeply coloured grape that's native to native Valley Rhône, employed as a blender into both red and white wines, it introduces fragrant stonefruit and nutty nectarine characters. The Loon is a unique and stylish rendering of Shiraz, as beguiling as it is intense, characterised by its beautifully lifted fruit characters and exquisite balance, made boisterous through the inclusion and co fermentation of Roussanne skins. The Loon matches well with goat, game meats or lamb, a splendid accompaniement to mushroom, provolone or truffle recipes.

Torbreck believe that they source fruit for The Laird from the greatest vineyard on earth, owned by the Seppelt family, it commands a price for its harvest that's commensurate with the most prestigious first growths of the old world. There have only ever been four vintage releases, such is the strict criterion for quality. Two precious hectares of Shiraz named Gnadenfrei, yield a crop of small, concentrated berries, the envy of all growers and winemakers in Barossa Valley, only the most exceptional years are worthy of The Laird.

A pure, single vineyard wine, from fruit picked off a single plot of Shiraz, planted 1960 and still managed by the same family. The rocky surrounds of Greg and Cynthia Knight’s highly elevated block of vine were so very reminiscent to winemaker David Powell of stone burial grounds on the hills above Torbreck forest. Nestled into the eastern slope of Mt. McKenzie, this cherished site yields a harvest of parched, intensely flavoured berries, brimming with extraordinary character, lined with the most graceful tannins, endowed with remarkable balance, elegance and poise.

In the early 1980s, due to lack of demand, the government paid incentives to growers to rip out their vines and gut some of Australia's most precious old vineyards. The movement to cool climate viticulture made the Barossa, of all places, look rather irrelevant. The Factor is Torbreck's salutation to those dedicated growers who stood by their vines and continue to painstakingly produce small harvests of the most splendid Shiraz. A wine of immense concentration and great purity of fruit that only the most meticulous husbanding of vines can achieve.

On a highland trail, the place to stop and rest when weary is known as a Bothie. Torbreck have been tinkering away at a sweet wine since 2001, the idea was always to construct something that's just a little bit different. This sweeter style of Frontignac exhibits lifted fruit aromatics, lifted perfumes of rosewater and honeydew melon, geraniums and lime, very characteristic of it's Barossa provenance. Bothie is a very versatile wine that can be enjoyed either at the start of a meal or nicely chilled at the end, alongside fresh fruits and cheese, ice creams or sorbet.

The view from Struie down towards Dornoch Firth, is as inspiring as the panorama across Barossa's Valley floor from atop the elevated ranges. David Powell assembles Shiraz from ancient, isolated little Barossa vineyards, some are well over a century of age. Sourced from several elevated sites throughout the Barossa and Eden Valleys, Struie reflects the cooler side of the region and showcases the subtle nuances which can be gained from hillside viticulture, for a full bodied and powerful, rich red wine of purity, focus and intensity.

Inspired by the lusciously rich, mineral scented dry whites of La Vallée Rhône, Torbreck have assembled the essential cépage of Marsanne, Viognier and Roussanne, sourced entirely from the distinguished Descendant Vineyard at Roennfeldt Road in Marananga. Five rows each of superior vine, set aside every year for the construct of full bodied whites to rival the classics of the old world. A seamless experience in silken texture, to accompany anything seafood, west coast marron or moreton bay bug, brewed mussels or deftly prepared abalone.

On a highland farm, the array of barns, stables and outbuildings is known as a steading. Steading GSM has long been David Powell's favourite wine within the Torbreck stable because of the old, gnarled bush vines that produce its core. Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz grown to ancient sites at Moppa and Marananga, Seppeltsfield and Ebenezer, Gomersal and Greenock, perform brilliantly in their own right. When assembled however, their strengths coalesce into a wine of remarkable structure and bucolic grace.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. From vines up to 140 years of age, planted to the most distinguished sites at Marananga and Moppa, Gomersal and Ebenezer, Greenock and Kalimna. A flagship wine of phenomenal density, a remarkable port like concentration, fashioned from parcels of the most invaluable Shiraz, compounding the wine's irrepressible bouquets and epic palate. The intensity of flavour hits the mouth like a gale, releasing a multitude of layers and complexities that continuously resonate and evolve.

Exceptional Langtons Classification. RunRig was a system that the highland clans employed to distribute property and holdings. It appropriately defines the Torbreck flagship, crafted from small yields of the most precious hand sorted Shiraz, picked off a canon of very old, dry grown vineyards. The emphasis is never on any one proprietor or farm, but rather the communal elements of the whole. RunRig is a wine which exhibits so much power and latent richness, that it is compared with the epicly structured and perfumed first growths of Cote Rôtie.

Torbreck founder Dave Powell acquired prime viticultural land at Marananga in 1994, with the express purpose of establishing blocks of white Rhône varietals. The precious plantings on Descendant Vineyard are now fully mature, Roussanne in particular lends itself to the vinification of an artisanal small batch effort, crafted in the minimalist old world way. Its exceptional purity of fruit is fully reliant on determining the ideal time of harvest within the narrow window of perfect ripeness. Each individual row of vines are assessed daily in the lead up to picking.

Marsanne was at the top of list when Dave Powell established his first vineyard at Marananga in 1994. He stylized his designs on the great Crus of Hermitage Blanc, mouthfilling wines of savouryness, elegance and beguiling balance. Parcels of Marsanne are picked by hand throughout the early hours of morning, pressed into the previous year's French oak Viognier barriques and treated to a wild indigenous yeast ferment on heavy gross lees, infusing the palate with distinctive pastoral richness. An amenable match to crackling pork and roast white meats.

Dave Powell was honoured when good friend Ignatius Chan asked him to make a wine for his renowned Singapore establishment. Powell sourced a unique parcel of old vines Grenache from the devigorated soils of western Seppeltsfield to create Les Amis, a testament to what the most exacting standards of viticulture can achieve. A harvest of the most precious fruit, gifted with purity, intensity and finesse. Les Amis flaunts the poise, concentration and panache, with which only the world's greatest terroirs are bestowed.

Mataro wines are known for their substantial tannin profile, Kyloe means highland steer, a wild and hardy beast. Torbreck take the pick of crop from the finest blocks in Barossa Valley, each one picked to a different schedule determined by individual ripeness, ensuring complete flavour development, essential to retaining upfront fruit characters in the finished wine. An extended term of age in well seasoned barrels, tames the masculine tannins without infusing conspicuous oak, for an old world style of Mataro offering an intensity of pure varietal eloquence.

A wickedly decadent indulgence, an extravagant gratification for the hedonist within the most wayward Barossa enthusiast, here are Torbreck at their nefarious best. Heinously high in alcohol and not for the feint of heart, a single unique parcel is called upon, only ever in the finest vintage years, hand picked off a precious, sharefarmed block at Moppa. Treated to a meticulous old world vinification techniques, Highland Fling is arrested mid way through fermentation with a fortification of Torbreck brandy, lifting the intensity of palate and infusing evocative perfumes.

Excellent Langtons Classification. A single vineyard wine, the Barossa Valley's first ever co fermented Shiraz Viognier, from fruit grown next to the winery block on Roennfeldt Road, planted to cuttings off old RunRig vineyards, some of the oldest genetic material in Australia. Built to last and evolve for many years as time unlocks layers of cryptic complexity within, the Descendant's immediate charm can be enjoyed immediately upon release, after a few hours of essential breathing. A wine of remarkable concentration, supported by silky tannins, suave sophistication and impeccable balance.

Torbreck founder David Powell is a frequenter of fashionable wine bar Les Juveniles whenever he's in Paris. Conversely, the proprietor of Les Juveniles spends time with Powell whenever he's wine trekking around the Barossa. A delightfully fruit forward accord of Grenache, Shiraz and Mourverdre, crafted from fruit grown to old and very old Barossa vineyards, judiciously fashioned to an early drinking Rhône Valley styling, principally for the enjoyment of bohemians and artistes, épicuriens et bon vivants.

So named by the Tin Shed winemaking team, the wild bunch, after a few drinks and a think tank, a melting pot of flavours achieved through an assemblage of Shiraz grown to choice vineyards scattered throughout the cool ripening climes of Eden Valley, with a few good barrels of Barossa fruit for funk and spice. Eden Valley ensures a measure of appetizing perfumes and good structure, Barossa contributes palate weight and richness.

Tim Gramp is fifth generation of the family which made Orlando Wines famous. Tim has continued the tradition under his very own label, his estate wineworks are fortuitously based in the Clare Valley, home to some of Australia's finest Riesling vineyards. Tim Gramp is fashioned to a classically dry Riesling style. The palate is smooth and integrated, with a touch of intensity, elegance and refinement, ahead of a lingering, dry finish. An immensely well received and highly lauded wine to be found in Jetstar international business class.

The Tim Adams label was born out of a venture to make small oak casks and limited amounts of wine. After three decades of consistently superb vintage releases, Adams is counted as one of the leading winemakers in Valley Clare. Fergus was a neighbour who was kind enough to sell his Grenache to Tim in 1993 during a desperate shortage. Tim quickly realized that what had been achieved through a serendipity of logistics was to have real potential as a full bodied, soft style with immediate approachability and splendid compatibility to good food.

A collation of fruit from the Rogers, Bayes, Eldredge and Pat Seneca properties in Valley Clare, for a cogent Shiraz wine of exquisite regional and varietal definition. The tapestry of local sites has been woven into a wine of structure and power, while offering the elegance and grace to drink beautifully upon release. A fortuitous partnership with artisanal cooper Bill Wray, ensured from inaugural release, that the stellar quality of Tim Adams wines would be aged in an equally splendid measure of the finest oak.

Tim Adams knows about Clare Valley Semillon. He began his career as a cellarhand for the Stanley Wine Company, rising to the position of chief winemaker, he also worked under the tutelage of Mick Knappstein. Adams objective with Clare Valley Semillon is to retain its freshness and authenticity, for an aromatic wine of exquisite balance and generosity of flavour. Ferments in French oak infuse complexity into the grass and stonefruit character of Semillon.

A collation of choice Riesling parcels, assembled from the Morrisons, Tim Adams, Baum and Goldsack properties in Valley Clare. Tim Adams focus is exclusively on Clare Valley fruit, selected on the basis of exemplary varietal expression and authentic regional expression. A pure Riesling wine, vinified exclusively from the first free run juices of crush, essential to the ultimate integrity of the finished wine, capturing an intensity of flavour and pristine, recognizably Clare Valley aromatic character.

Tim Adams can rely on harvests from Valley Clare's bravest vineyards to source the finest parcels of Pinot Gris. Rather than removing the distinctive grey tint of the grape's skin, Tim Adams chooses to retain this charming feature of Pinot Gris in the finished wine. Vinified from the complete pressings of fruit, the totality of which have made a remarkable contribution to a soundly structured Pinot Gris, the pinkish bronze hue sets the stage for an alluring nose, followed by a rich, robust palate and long, memorable finish.

Cabernet Sauvignon has long been recognised as a stellar performer in the highly favourable climes of Valley Clare. A small addition of Malbec adds to the complexity, contributing violets, mulberry and richness, bringing the finished wine forward, making Tim Adams slightly more approachable in its youth. Twenty four months in French oak enhances the style, full bodied and unstabilized before bottling, a harmless crust may form with time.

Distinguished Langtons Classification. Aberfeldy is a unique vineyard, friable red loam over limestone nestled at the bottom of the easternmost hills of the Clare. The cropping level in the vineyard is never more than 1½ tonnes per acre, producing grapes with intense colour, flavour and tannins. The elegant yet intensely flavoured, highly limited yields of precious Shiraz grapes form the backbone of Aberfeldy.

Excellent Langtons Classification. When the Birks of Wendouree settled Valley Clare in 1904, they planted their site to Shiraz. Many of these old vines remain productive and offer the backbone of fruit for the icon Tim Adams Aberfeldy. Younger rootings of the same clone yield grapes of the most intense colour, depth of flavour and refined tannins. The intense perfume and muscular nature of the finished wine reflects the character of site as much as the charm and personality of the animated and affable winemaker.

Spicey Shiraz from cooler climes combined with the lovely plummy notes of the Grenache grape which thrives in warmer regions. Three Vines expresses wild floral notes and a firmer textured finish courtesy of the Sangiovese. A Rose that's food-friendly and bountiful with chummy pink characters of fresh cherries and currants, made savoury with a touch of dry tannin to the finish.

Jacob's Creek takes aim at fusing the fruity flavours of Australian reds with the savoury characters of Southern Europe. Shiraz and Cabernet have a proven track record as two varietals with wonderful synergy. Tempranillo adds the X-factor, providing additional layers of flavour complexity, and a rich texture, silky and savoury. The challenge was to maintain a fruit-driven style, hence a canny maturation in seasoned barrels to infuse into the final wine a smacking of oak complexity without any overtly woody characters.

The reputation of Jacob's Creek has been built around wines that are fruit-driven and elegant. Three Vines takes that a step further and ameliorates the fruity flavours of Australian wine with the savoury flavours of Southern Europe. Semillon offers crisp citrus and stoney flavours, combined with the lively tropical fruit of Sauvignon Blanc and the richness of Viognier, it delivers an easy drinking, fresh and fruity wine you will enjoy.

Thorn-Clarke are one of the Braossa's most salubrious grower families, by appointment to Australia's most recognized brands. Thely can be proud of six generations in Barossa viticulture, a timeless source of Shiraz for the nation's most memorable vintages. The best parcels are selected from the estate's St Kitts, Milton Park and Kabininge sites to form the backbone for Shotfire. The enduring Aussie style, a generous palate of ripe blackberry and plum flavours, seasoned by spice and vanillan oak, supported by a structure of fine, pliant tannins.