Wine Ark is Australia’s leading provider of premium climate-controlled wine storage, wine sales, and wine brokering services. Since their inception in 1999, Wine Ark have been dedicated to protecting and preserving the world’s finest wines, ensuring each wine collection matures to perfection in ideal conditions.
Founded with a passion for wine and a commitment to delivering the highest quality storage solutions for wine collectors, investors, and connoisseurs alike, every year, Wine Ark leans on the data to tell us just how Australia is squirreling away it’s most sought after wines. In 2024 they watched very closely as over 195,000 bottles of wine were placed into wine storage across Australia. The 2024 Most Cellared report takes a look into every bottle passing through their wine storage facilities, and for the first time in years, they’ve uncovered trends around new, and smaller family-owned producers, that have people palate’s captivated.
The most cellared wine of the year
The Most Cellared Wine of the Year…drumroll, please…The most cellared wine of 2024 is none other than the 2021 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay.
With chardonnay’s rise in collector circles being undeniable, Wine Ark noted seven chardonnays appearing in the Top 25, and four making it into the Top 10. It’s clear that the appetite for age-worthy whites continues to grow, cementing chardonnay’s place in Australian wine-lovers minds, and glasses.
The top wine regions of 2024
When it comes to wine regions, Barossa Valley took the crown this year, representing 23.4% of all wines housed in wine storage in Australia, followed by Margaret River at 14.8%. Rounding out the top three was the Hunter Valley, showcasing its enduring appeal for collectors. Wine Ark has noted how Beechworth has emerged as a standout, claiming the 9th spot (across all storage, nationally) after placing two wines in the Top 10 — a remarkable achievement for our boutique wine region.
Of the Top 10, Barossa, Beechworth, and Margaret River, all sit at the top with 20% share, with Clare Valley, Hunter Valley, Tasmania, and Yarra Valley all with one wine (10%) in this shortlist.
Championing Boutique Producers in 2024
Wine Ark also discovered a trend around the dominance of smaller, family-run wineries in collectors’ cellars. Wines like the 2022 Giaconda Estate Chardonnay, and the 2022 Savaterre Chardonnay, which ranked as the 6th and 7th (respectively) most cellared wines of the year, highlight collectors’ trust and appreciation for boutique producers. A trend that is a testament to the quality and character that smaller wineries bring to the table, and we are over the moon for the recognition of the region and our small family-owned Beechworth producers.
Keppell Smith, owner and vigneron at Savaterre, shared his reaction:
“Well, well! That’s a surprise for such a small producer! We put a lot of effort into delivering a great wine. I’m flattered and thrilled that people are using excellent storage for our wines. It’s terrific to be in such great company.”
The Top 10 wines added to the Wine Ark Cellars in 2024 are listed below, in descending order:
1. Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay 2021
2. Penfolds St Henri Shiraz 2018
3. Grosset Polish Hill Riesling 2024
4. Mount Mary Quintet Cabernet Blend 2022
5. Tolpuddle Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023
6. Giaconda Estate Chardonnay 2022
7. Savaterre Chardonnay 2022
8. Pierro Chardonnay 2023
9. Standish Lamella Shiraz 2022
10. Lake’s Folly Shiraz Merlot Petit Verdot 2022
View the full article HERE.