2023 Wirra Wirra Woodhenge Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Profound earthy, graphite and terracotta notes impregnate the statuesque structure and feed the resolute tannins. Deeply complex and powerful with an outstanding length. A long termer.

95 points Gold Decanter World Wine Awards 2026

More about this wine

This wine is a blend of a range of McLaren Vale sites concentrated towards the coastal subregions, all characteristically producing smaller berries and bold tannins to create a wine of intensity and structure.

All parcels were kept separate throughout vinification. The fruit was gently crushed and destemmed to open top and static fermenters, with parcels tasted daily to determine number of daily plunges and pumpovers for tannin, colour and flavour extraction. Once dry the parcels were pressed into a combination of hogsheads and barriques, with 23% of the French and 10% of the American oak new, to complete malolactic fermentation. These individual vineyard parcels were racked and returned separately throughout the 18-month maturation.

The parcels selected for the final 2023 blend displayed typical Woodhenge style: generous fruit with great tannin and fruit concentration.

About Wirra Wirra

Wirra Wirra was established in 1894 by Robert Strangways Wigley. Having fallen into disrepair after his death in 1926, it was resurrected by Greg Trott, who with his cousin along with his cousin Roger Trott bought the property in 1969. They restored the historic ironstone cellars and revived what is now one of Australia’s most loved names in wine.

The Wirra Wirra team passes by a large slate installation as they enter the winery, inscribed by Greg’s mantra: Never give misery an even break, nor bad wine a second sip. You must be serious about quality, dedicated to your task in life, especially winemaking, but this should all be fun.

Today, the much-enlarged estate vineyards across McLaren Vale are complemented by fruit from long-term growers in the Adelaide Hills, with vineyard work managed by a team lead by viticulturist Anton Groffen. The original estate vineyards around the winery, as well as those the team manages, are certified organic and biodynamic.

The women rule back at the winery, with chief winemaker Emma Wood working closely with Kelly Wellington and Grace Wang. Each wine in the Wirra Wirra portfolio has a defined style but with allowance for vintage variation. The stylistic thread across the wines is a balance of generosity and elegance.