Not just about the land in which the grapes are grown, but about the history of the infamous people who founded the land.

Not just about the land in which the grapes are grown, but about the history of the infamous people who founded the land.

Nineteen crimes turned convicts into colonists. Upon conviction British rogues guilty of a least one of the 19 crimes were sentenced to live in Australia, rather than death. As pioneers in a frontier penal colony, they forged a new country and new lives, brick by brick. This wine celebrates the rules they broke and the culture they built.

The Akarua vineyard is a unique site, measuring 52 hectares, 34.5 of which planted with vines. The estate is tucked into the foothills of the mountains rising above Kawarua River upstream of Lack Dunstan, in the midst of a breathtaking landscape. Located in Bannockburn in the Central Otago region, the vineyard occupies three west-facing terraces and enjoys intense sun all year round. This outstanding terroir lends remarkable character to the Pinot Noir in a reflection of the spectacular mountains surrounding the estate. Floral and spicy, it has a nose of raspberries and blackcurrant, while the pallet derives of black cherry.

Bright and perfumed aromatics. A plush and red-fruited palate. Soft, approachable fine-grained tannin. A hint of spice adds complexity. A precise acid back-bone gives good length.

This wine has aromas of raspberry and plum and a palate of dark red fruits, complemented by a subtle use of oak, providing extra depth of character.

Intense colour with bright purple hues. Vibrant black fruits with rich dark chocolate and subtle vanillin oak aromas. Medium to full bodies palate weight, characterised by satisfying tannins and savoury masculine finish. An ideal accompaniment to red meat and premium cuts of prime beef.

Sharing the same impeccable breeding as its big brother, the youthful exuberance of Wee Angus is revealed through the gentle plummy characters of Merlot. A subtle touch of vanillin oak and a generous finish combine to create the perfect accompaniment to your next barbeque.

Rounded, ripe plum and spicy oak play a warming role against balanced acidity and fine tannins.

The nose is bright and intense with sweet red fruit and hints of cassis. Aromatics are tempered with notes of fennel and coriander seed, the palate unfolding with flavours of ripe red fruits and fresh blackcurrant.

Much has been said and written about the Gimblett Gravels area being fantastic for Syrah. Babich was a pioneer of this region and this wine comes from the famous Babich Irongate vineyard. It is an accessible middleweight Syrah that's big on berry fruit, sprinkled with spice and pepper.

Lifted aromas of red and dark fruits with a touch of vanilla and dried herbs. Spicy fruit cake with soft coating tannins and leather notes, texturally it's dense and fleshy with lingering fruit. This is serious wine of complexity and charm.