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.

A core of dark fruit, overlaid with classic Hawkes Bay Syrah floral perfume and exotic warm spice, while subtle oak brings extra complexity and texture, combined with a splash of Viognier and Malbec to aid and enhance the floral complexity and add a twist on Hawkes Bay Syrah. On the palate the wine is medium bodied with an impression of sweet fruit and long finish driven by silky tannins and texture. Well matched to a wide range of game and red meat dishes.

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.

On the nose there are plum, ripe berry fruit and spice characters. Rich dark chocolate and a leathery texture give this wine a mouth-filling palate.

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.

Delicate floral aromas pair with rich, dark fruit notes of cherry, boysenberry, and blackberry - followed by just a hint of spiced clove and cinnamon. A rich palate, with ample fine, chalky tannin gives structure and length to this wine, while balanced acidity lends energy and elegance.

Working with two of the world's great wine varieties grown in one of the world's great red wine regions provides a special foundation for any winemaker. The result is a full flavoured, deliciously indulgent, opulent and warm, dry wine, dark and sweetly fruited with a hint of blackberry and plum, with a big hit of cocoa on the finish. An ideal partner for an antipasto platter featuring a range of salami and smoked meats, or any meaty casserole, like lamb shanks.

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.

Babich were the first New Zealand company to win a Gold medal for Pinot Noir back in the early 80's. This wine is well balanced, beautifully structured and simply delicious. Aromas and flavours of bright red and black berry fruit mingling with sweet black spice-infused cherry abound. It's smooth as silk on the palate and has a lingering lip-smacking finish. Well paced and well priced Pinot.