Vintage 2026 - Newsletter
Aug 10, 2026
Greetings from Bannockburn,
A quick vintage update as things roll on here, and a very happy Easter long weekend.
As mentioned in our last note, it’s been a dry season from the outset. Winter was light on, with only patchy spring rain, and conditions have stayed dry through the back half of the season. Fairly typical for us, but it has required a close eye from the vineyard team, leaning on the dam to keep the vineyard in balance.
It’s been a cooler, later year, especially after the warmer 2024 and 2025 vintages. Ripening has been steady rather than rushed, and while yields looked healthy early on, smaller berries have brought things back to a moderate crop.
Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc have come through the process well, with some Riesling, Gamay and Shiraz to follow after the long weekend. It’s shaping up as a cool season of bright, pure wines with fine structure and good natural balance.
We’re highlighting the 1314 Pinot Noir, 1314 Shiraz, Estate Pinot Noir and Estate Shiraz, along with a few recent reviews (full reviews further down):
1314 Pinot Noir 2025
94 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
“Long and satisfying, built as much for the table as the cellar. A very good wine that will age well, and great value.”
1314 Shiraz 2025
95 points, Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
“Richly flavoured, gently structured and very well-balanced… will look even better over the next four to six years.”
Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2024
95 points, Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
“Lifted and perfumed… with superfine and persistent tannins and bright acidity.”
Bannockburn Shiraz 2023
95 points, Philip Rich, Halliday Wine Companion
“Elegant, balanced and very persistent… a delicious and very well put together wine.”
Cheers,
The team at Bannockburn Vineyards
Full Reviews
1314 Pinot Noir 2025
94 points. Full purple red colour, with smoky oak and dark cherry on the nose alongside roasted spice and foresty notes suggesting well lignified stems. The palate has a sweet core of dark cherry fruit, layered with spice and toasty oak, with a firm structural line carrying through. Long and satisfying, built as much for the table as the cellar. A very good wine that will age well, and great value. Huon Hooke, realreview.com.au.
1314 Shiraz 2025
95 points. An impressive release, if not better again than the previous vintage. Dark fruited with notes of black pepper, florals and spice, leading into a richly flavoured, gently structured and very well balanced palate. There is a quiet confidence to this wine, with everything in place and nothing pushed. It will continue to build over the next four to six years. Philip Rich, winecompanion.com.au.
Bannockburn Shiraz 2023
95 points. Made with a portion of whole bunch and carbonic influence, this leans savoury in the best way. Dark cherry, hung meat, earth and potpourri lead into an elegant, balanced and persistent palate. There is a sense of detail and restraint here, with a long, composed finish. A delicious and very well put together wine to drink now or over the next five to seven years, if not longer. Philip Rich, winecompanion.com.au.
Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2024
95 points. Light, bright and lifted, with red fruits, wild hedgerow, rose and spice. The palate builds gently, carried by superfine tannins and bright acidity, giving both structure and length without weight. There is a nice sense of energy and direction here, with the wine set to fill out further over the next few years. Philip Rich, winecompanion.com.au.
