From budget-friendly bottles to premium drops, these outstanding new releases from three Australian wineries show just how far local wine has evolved.
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For something as ancient as wine, I’m always surprised how modern-day wineries can create new lines of their product. These wines are still distinctly their brand and style, but at the same time new, interesting, diverse and innovated.
But far from reinventing the wheel, these iterations advance how we as consumers enjoy wine all the time; creating new notions of a known thing.
A great example of this is how Australian reds have gone from being all guts and grunt to fresh, medium bodied, nuanced wine that’s focused on structure, layers of flavour and texture, and to be paired with more than just steak.
We’ve come across three Aussie wineries recently that have released new lines – either completely new to their portfolio or new vintages – that illustrate this advancement really well and at different price points.
McWilliams Terra Range
One of the old guard of Australian wine, McWilliams is a six-generation winery with a massive selection of wine categories and styles.
Expanding the selection still further, McWilliams’ new Terra range shows that wine doesn’t have to be expensive to be good.
Perfect entertaining wines, the new Terra series launched in 2026 and is designed to be a more approachable, contemporary style of wine. It comes in four varietals: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc.
McWilliams Terra Chardonnay
Ripe white peach, honeydew melon and lemon characters, complemented by subtle almond notes.
Refreshing notes of white nectarine and citrus lead the palate, layered with a gentle creamy texture and a whisper of French oak. The finish is long and soft, driven by bright acidity and lingering fruit characters.
McWilliams Terra Pinot Noir
Lifted aromas of strawberry and red cherry, complemented by subtle hints of earthy notes. A medium-bodied wine showcasing vibrant fruit characters, beautifully balanced by subtle oak and crisp varietal tannins.
Lightly oaked, with a small portion matured in contact with French oak, it delivers a smooth tannin finish and generous fruit length.
I really should also mention the McWilliams’ Hanwood Estate Grand Old Tawny. McWilliams was always better known for its fortifieds than its other wines and there’s a reason.
This 10-year-old tawny shows all the complexity and depth of having spent a minimum of 10 years in small oak casks.
Its fragrant and fresh with oak complexity displaying notes of nuts, pecan pie and raisin chocolate with a hint of chocolate. The palate shows obvious aged wood complexing flavours with raisins and toffee notes.
McWilliams Terra series wines retail at RRP $19.00 each.
Hanwood Estate Grand Old Tawny 10 Years: RRP $28.00
Marnong Estate Single Vineyard Range
Although Marnong’s history goes back to the 1840s, the land was used for grazing livestock rather than growing grapes. Wine didn’t happen here until 2016 when Sicilian property developer Dino Strano saw the potential of the land and began what he thought would be a hobby farm.
Located in Sunbury, one of Victoria’s oldest wine regions, Marnong now has three tiers to its selection: the Estate Range, the Single Vineyard Range and the ultra-premium Reserve Range.
2026 sees the mid-range Single Vineyard series grow with wines like the debut of the Heart Pinot Noir ($43.00 RRP), made with grapes grown in the central block at Marnong. This is a deeper, richer Pinot than its counterpart the Weatherstone Pinot Noir, also taking its first bow in the Single Vineyard range.
The Single Vineyard Sangiovese ($37.00 RRP) fits into that perfect space we talked about earlier of being medium-bodied, food-driven and full of structure, texture and aromatic notes.
As for Marnong’s Single Vineyard Chardonnay ($43.00 RRP), this elite modern Aussie Chardy is bright yet full. Medium-bodied with a crisp pear and apple palate, a flinty oaty nose and a creamy texture.
Marnong Single Vineyard Heart Pinot Noir
A rich and opulent single-vineyard Pinot Noir from the most central block of the estate – concentrated, structured and built for the cellar.
Concentrated black cherry and black plum aromas with mineral nuance and subtle spice. On the palate are dark fruits, graphite and mineral depth with an opulent, mouth-filling texture.
Marnong Single Vineyard Sangiovese
A medium-bodied and vibrant Sangiovese true to its Italian roots. Lifted aromas of bay leaf and cherry aromatics with subtle floral notes.
The palate has a cherry and red plum fruit profile with fresh acidity and fine, grippy varietal tannin with a lively, savoury finish.
Marnong Single Vineyard Chardonnay
A medium-bodied Chardonnay crafted in a modern Australian style, balancing bright citrus fruit with creamy texture and complex savoury nuance.
Complex aromas of gunflint, brine, oatmeal and spicy aromatics, and a crisp pear and apple palate.
The Single Vineyard range is available direct from Marnong’s website or their cellar door.
And if you’re into bubbles, you should also check out Marnong’s Reserve Blanc de Blanc ($80.00 RRP), which we talked about here.
Marnong has accommodation on site too. Check out their beautiful villas and homestead, perfect for a romantic break in wine country, or for a big get-together for family or friends.
For a spot of indulgence, Marnong’s La Vètta is a Hatted restaurant offering Italian fine dining. For more relaxed family-friendly options, there are also Cucina 2064 and Caffe Vista here too.
Ross Hill’s Pinnacle Range
From our friends at Ross Hill Wines in Orange, NSW, the new release of their latest premium wine range is showing signs of something really special.
Ross Hill’s Pinnacle series has always been worth a go – grapes are carefully selected and treated with immense care and attention, and Ross Hill’s head winemaker Chris Jessop has a long storied career in Australia and NZ – but this release is looking like one of the best.
The seven-varietal range includes a Cabernet Franc from 2024, and a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay – both from 2025. These two years were near-perfect vintages for reds and whites respectively, and it shows in these wines.
The Pinnacle range retails between $35.00 RRP to $50.00 RRP, making this one of the most affordable premium wine ranges around.
The release of the 2026 Pinnacle wines coincides with Ross Hill’s 10 year anniversary of becoming a 100% carbon neutral winery and vineyard.
You can read more about these wines and about Ross Hill Winery in full review here.
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