Roll out the red carpet for Australia’s best wine regions

We’ve teamed up with Naked Wines who support the best independent winemakers across Australia and New Zealand to give you access to the best regions and some great wines to try from each.

When it comes to red wine, Australia has earned our stripes as having some of the world’s best. Vineyards across the country are growing a wide range of grapes that have earned international respect, producing different interpretations of popular wines, like Shiraz, Cabernet, Pinot Noir, Grenache and more. Naked boasts a range of elite winemakers, producing wines that have scored global recognition.

Whether you’re partial to settling into rich, full-bodied Shiraz or an elegant, light Pinot Noir, you’ll find a red wine that suits your taste in Australia (and a Naked winemaker, providing their expert touch!). Sit back and let us take you on a journey across some of Australia’s best wine regions.

Tasmania

While more well-known for its crisp whites, the isle of Tasmania has also built a reputation for its stunning cool-climate Pinot Noir. Small but mighty, Tasmania is home to around 230 vineyards, with demand rapidly rising for its intensely flavoured grapes and elegant wines.

TRY: Gypsy Caravan Tamar Pinot Noir 2022: The fruit used to create this wine comes from sites that are sloped to the river and ripen earlier than many other vineyards in the Tamar Valley. The climate conditions produced grapes with the perfect balance of acid, tannin and ripeness. A deep scarlet colour will fill your glass, with perfumed aromas of violets and cherries leaping out. The first sip is like devouring a cup of summer berries! Fresh, red, juicy and delicious.

Where to stay  

Only a half-hour drive from the Tamar Valley you will find the Quality Hotel Colonial Launceston. This unique hotel offers old-world charm with style and comfort.

Yarra Valley

Located in Victoria, the Yarra Valley is famous for producing some of the finest Pinot Noir and Shiraz in Australia. The region, which is just over an hour away from the Melbourne CBD, has a cool climate and high altitude, providing ideal growing conditions for these grape varieties. The area also produces Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

TRY: Santolin Family Reserve Yarra Valley Pinot Noir 2022: The tiny, hand-picked crop of amazing grapes was gently crushed and wild fermented, delivering a classic Yarra Valley Pinot Noir. After fermentation, the wine was left for nine months in French oak, resulting in an elegant, medium-bodied red with gentle tannins. Think wild strawberries with hints of sweet spice and herbs.

Where to stay  

Base yourself in Melbourne’s CBD only an hour’s drive from the Yarra Valley with plenty of accommodation options on offer. Looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city? Econo Lodge Lilydale is a great option that is only a 15-minute drive from the Yarra Valley.

Clare Valley

Two hours north of Adelaide and nestled in South Australia’s Mount Lofty Ranges, Clare Valley is a region legendary for its Riesling, but also well-respected for its Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Its cool-climate growing conditions are ideal for unique interpretations that local growers and skilled winemakers do a superb job of creating.

TRY: Rabbit & Spaghetti Old Vine Clare Valley Grenache 2021: Almost every single person who has rated this wine has said they’d buy it again. Winemaker Adam Barton has delivered a wine that is a divine interpretation of this area. Open a bottle to free the scent of raspberry, satsuma plums and crushed violets. Each sip is a morello cherry, mulberry and sweet spice symphony with soft tannins and a long, fine finish.

Where to stay

Situated just a little over an hour’s drive from the Clare Valley is Comfort Inn Flinders on Main located in Port Pirie on the east coast of the Spencer Gulf. This town is a great base to take a day trip to the Clare Valley wine region.

Coonawarra

Located in South Australia, Coonawarra is famous for its rich, full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon wines. The region has unique red terra rossa soil, which is ideal for growing high-quality grapes. The cool climate of the area also helps to produce wines with excellent acidity and structure.

TRY: LTD Coonawarra Cabernet 2019: Enjoy rich blackberry and plum flavours with a hit of savoury spice and mint. This is a smooth sip, with grippy tannins and a hint of oak, with a long, lingering finish.

Where to stay

Comfort Inn The Lakes Mount Gambier is a great base for a day trip to Coonawarra. Only a 45-minute drive from Coonawarra this hotel is located on the edge of the Crater Lakes with spectacular views over the city.Hunter Valley

Hunter Valley

Located in New South Wales, the Hunter Valley is known for producing excellent Shiraz and Semillon wines. The region’s warm and humid climate provides ideal conditions for these grape varieties. The area also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Verdelho.

TRY: Ashley Horner Reserve Merton Shiraz 2021: Hunter local Ash Horner sourced small-batch Shiraz grapes from a traditional non-organic vineyard in Upper Hunter on the banks of the old Merton Village. This is a delicate, elegant style of Shiraz. From your first taste, you’ll discover its cheeky raspberry and cherry characters with subtle spices and savoury tannins.

Where to stay 

Terminus Apartment Hotel, Newcastle is a great base for a day trip to the Hunter Valley region. The one and half hour scenic drive from the Hunter Valley will take you to the coastal town of Newcastle where you can explore local restaurants and bars.

Heathcote

Drive north from Melbourne for around an hour and you’ll find yourself in Heathcote, Victorian known for producing some of the best Shiraz wines in Australia. The region’s unique Cambrian soil provides ideal growing conditions for the grape variety. The area also produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, and Tempranillo.

TRY: Two Pairs Reserve Shiraz 2022: A stunning blend of grapes from three vineyards, perfectly crafted by winemakers Nina Stocker and Kate Day. This has flavours of violets, spice, summer red berries and black forest cake, with silky tannins and long a rich plum finish.

Where to stay 

Just a little over a half an hour’s drive from Heathcote you will find the Quality Hotel Lakeside, the perfect base when discovering the Heathcote wine region. Located in Bendigo opposite Lake Weeroona this hotel is just a short stroll from the town centre.

Barossa Valley

Located in South Australia, the Barossa Valley is one of the most famous wine regions in Australia. The region is known for producing some of the world’s best Shiraz, celebrated for being full-bodied and rich in flavour. The Barossa has a range of microclimates, resulting in diverse grape varieties, including Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon.

TRY: Dolan & Dunn Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache 2021: Crafted by one of Australia’s most experienced winemaking teams, the formidable Caroline Dunn and Nigel Dolan, this rich, elegant Shiraz has Barossa characteristics in spades.

Where to stay

Located only an hour away from the Barossa Valley, Adelaide offers great accommodation options making it the perfect base for exploring all that the Barossa Valley has to offer. Looking for a luxurious stay?

McLaren Vale

Located 40 kilometres south of Adelaide, McLaren Vale is South Australia’s first wine region. Established in 1838, McLaren Vale like its neighbour the Barossa is also known for its full-bodied and rich Shiraz wines. The region’s warm climate and diverse soil types provide ideal conditions for growing grapes. The area also produces Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot.

TRY: Culley Rd McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022: A big, intense, classic Shiraz showcasing grapes from an A-grade vineyard that previously supplied Penfolds.

Where to stay

Discover the oldest German village in Australia The Studios By Haus is located in Hahndorf just 40 minutes from McLaren Vale making it the perfect place to stay when touring the famous wine region.

Rutherglen

Tucked away in the heart of Victoria’s wine country right near the Murray River, Rutherglen is this renowned red wine region (they’ve also got some very famous meat pies!). Northern Victoria has a warm climate, rich soils and enthusiasm for classic winemaking traditions have all helped form Rutherglen’s reputation for producing exceptional reds.

TRY:  Jen Pfeiffer The Diamond 10 y.o. Rutherglen Tawny: The region is particularly known for its fortified wines, including its world-class Muscat and Tokay, which are rich and luscious. Nobody does it better (or adores it more) than Naked’s Winemaker of the Decade, Jen Pfeiffer. Deliciously warm, nutty and with irresistible mixed spice magic, this 10-year-old drop is the reason she earned herself the nickname, the ‘Queen of Fortifieds.’

Where to stay

Conveniently located just 30 minutes from Rutherglen is the Quality Hotel Wangaratta Gateway, offering modern and relaxing accommodation in the heart of Wangaratta.