Why Beechworth Shiraz deserves a spot in your glass

Tucked away in the foothills of Victoria’s High Country, Beechworth is a small wine region with a mighty reputation, especially when it comes to Shiraz (or Syrah, as some prefer to call it).

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While Australia is well known for big, bold Shiraz from regions like the Barossa, Beechworth offers a more refined, cooler-climate expression that turns heads for all the right reasons.

What makes Beechworth Shiraz so special? It starts with the terroir. Our vineyards sit at elevations of between 300-800 metres, bringing cool nights and long, slow ripening periods. This climate builds incredible aromatic complexity, natural acidity, and balance into the grapes. Combine that with granite-rich soils and minimal intervention winemaking, and you get Shiraz that’s both powerful and elegant, structured, spicy, and deeply layered.

Beechworth Syrah often shows lifted florals, fine tannins, and savoury spice – qualities that have drawn comparisons to the Northern Rhône. But make no mistake: this is distinctly Australian, with vibrant dark fruit and earthy undertones that reflect the raw beauty of the region.

So why drink more Beechworth Shiraz? Because it’s the perfect meeting point of finesse and character. It’s a wine that pairs beautifully with food, rewards cellaring and offers a taste of one of Australia’s most exciting wine regions. Whether you’re a long-time Shiraz lover or looking to discover something new, Beechworth deserves your attention…and your glass!

Why does our Shiraz stand out? 

• Elevated terroir & climate: Cool nights and long ripening yield complex aromatics and elegant structure.
• Winemaking philosophy: Minimal intervention, whole-bunch ferment, and creative ageing (e.g. red gum barrels, amphora).
• Critical acclaim: Consistently high scores (96–97+) from Halliday, Wine Enthusiast, Decanter, James Suckling, Vinous, and The Wine Front.
• Diverse styles: From classic and rich to wild and spicy.
• The soils: Decomposed granite is the soul of Beechworth Shiraz. It allows the region’s natural elegance, spice, and tension to shine through, giving wines that are structured, age-worthy, and distinctively regional.

So why is decomposed granite (also known locally as granitic loam or “buckshot clay”) so good?

• Good drainage: Granite-based soils are free-draining, preventing waterlogging and encouraging deep root systems.
• Moderate fertility: These soils don’t overwhelm the vine with nutrients, helping to control vigour and concentrate flavour naturally.
• Temperature balance: Light-coloured granite reflects heat during the day and cools quickly at night, supporting Beechworth’s hallmark cool-climate structure and acidity.
• Mineral tension: Granite imparts a signature tautness and mineral line that shows up in the best Beechworth Shiraz-fine tannins, spice, and a savoury edge.

Check out the Soil Map here, and find your favourite producers.

We’ve scoured the cellars for a refined list of the top 10 Beechworth Shiraz/Syrah wines that have earned praise in recent years. These are those noted as Iconic bottlings and those that showcase our region’s signature depth, elegance, and spice:

• Giaconda Estate Vineyard Shiraz (2019 and 2022 vintages): Scored 97 points by Wine Enthusiast and praised for its controlled power, bold blue fruits, charcuterie notes, and epic depth.

• Eldorado Road Shiraz: One of only a few Beechworth Shiraz that earned 97 points from Halliday’s tasting team.

• Granjoux Single Vineyard Shiraz: A stunning first release described as “fine-tuned, precise and yet plush and devilishly elegant,” with violet, pepper, sage, and savoury notes from The Real Review.

• Savaterre Shiraz (2018 vintage): Listed in Decanter’s top 3% of Australian Shiraz; noted for wild stalky complexity, blue and red fruits, leafy and smoky charcuterie traits.

• Fighting Gully Road Shiraz (2016 and 2017 vintages): Earned 96 points in The Wine Front by Campbell Mattinson, recognised as Beechworth’s “hidden gem”.

• Vignerons Schmölzer & Brown Beechworth Syrah (2023 vintage): Described as “ethereal…alluring aromas of blueberries, white pepper, five spice and musk” with “concrete dust tannins” from Nick Ryan for The Australian.

• Sentiõ Shiraz: A rising star, frequently appearing on top restaurant wine lists and several review sites; ‘one of Beechworth’s best producers.’ from Different Drop.

• Castagna Shiraz: Described as being part of Beechworth’s elite labels, with a growing reputation for premium Shiraz, from Halliday.

• Star Lane Shiraz (barrel-aged in red gum): A uniquely styled local experiment, earning high praise and cellar-door awards. Super limited volume produced, and kept for 10+ years prior to release.

• Domenica Estate Shiraz: A wine that builds and builds, bringing an intensity of spice and finesse. This harmony of Shiraz and volcanic soils is a marriage made in heaven, from Vinous.

There are so many more to note, but for this article’s sake, the above wines reflect the best of those described by third-party wine journalists. But, you should 1000% note our other amazing producers who craft beautifully elegant and complex shiraz. Those are: Indigo Vineyard, Piano Piano, Weathercraft, Willem Kurt, Little Frances, Pennyweight, Beechworth Wine Estates, Brokenwood, James & Co, and Baarmutha. 

Beechworth Shiraz is elegant yet bold, terroir-driven, and richly nuanced. Next time you’re looking for a Shiraz, reach for one from Beechworth – you won’t be disappointed!

Hero image: Domenica’s Peter Graham; the below image is of Pennyweight’s Beechworth Vineyard, a close-up of their red soils.