2022 Bethany First Village Shiraz, Barossa Valley

Bright crimson with fruit tones of lifted red plum, mulberry and forest berries with touches of milk chocolate, baking spices, panforte, cherry clafoutis and earth. It makes for good value, mid-weighted drinking with a fine, sandy tannin grip and a flourish of red fruits on the exit.

92 points Dave Brookes winecompanion.com.au

Bethany First Village Shiraz from the Barossa Valley is your go-to for big Barossa flavour without the hefty price tag. It’s bold, juicy, and packed with all the dark fruit and spice you want from a classic Shiraz, but with a fresh, lively edge that makes it seriously fun to drink. This is full-bodied Barossa with a generous spirit—perfect for sharing, pairing, or just enjoying without overthinking it.

The First Village range nods to Bethany’s roots as one of the earliest European settlements in the Barossa, with the Schrapel family’s winemaking history going back to the mid-1800s. Today, they keep the tradition alive by making wines that honour the land but are totally tuned into the way we drink now—vibrant, expressive, and great value.

Fruit for the First Village Shiraz is sourced from vineyards on the Barossa Valley floor, where warm days build ripeness and flavour, and cool nights lock in balance. The winemaking is straightforward and honest: open fermenters, gentle extraction, and time in seasoned oak to round things out without getting in the way of the fruit.

Expect a nose full of ripe blackberry, plum, and sweet spice, with hints of cocoa and pepper. The palate is plush and smooth with a wave of juicy dark fruit, soft tannins, and a finish that’s generous but never heavy.

It’s the kind of wine that’s made for pizza night, burgers on the barbecue, or just a casual glass on the couch. Big on flavour, easy on the wallet, and 100 percent Barossa fun.