Wynnsday returns with an impressive collection

It is hard to think of a wine producer that can match Wynns Coonawarra Estate for quality and value across the board.

Winemakers Sue Hodder and Sarah Pidgeon consistently over deliver on both counts - and the new releases for Wynnsday on June 3 do not disappoint.

The new releases are composed, complete and effortlessly stylish.

Wynnsday has been - for several decades - the day Wynns Coonawarra Estate releases its new vintage luxury wines.

I remember attending one at the winery when Peter Douglas was the chief winemaker - so the late 80s or early 90s.

The 2026 Wynnsday Collection features eight wines across three vintages from a range of vineyards.

This year’s release is headlined by the return of the very elegant V&A Lane Shiraz and Cabernet Shiraz blend, along with the debut Cabernet Shiraz, to the stellar Wynns Black Label range.

Wynns senior winemaker Sue Hodder (above) says the three very different vintages in the 2026 Wynnsday Collection - 2023, 2024, and 2025 - are testament to the quality and versatility of Wynns terra rossa vineyards and their ability to produce superb medium-bodied, cool-climate wines year on year.

“From the cooler, wet 2023 vintage we welcome the O’Dea's Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, representing the next gen of Wynns Cabernet vineyards," says Hodder. who has been in charge since 1998.

"Each year our winemaking team selects a premium parcel from a single cabernet vineyard to bottle separately, and that year O’Dea's excelled. This vineyard was originally planted in 1989 and later replanted to a selection of Wynns heritage cuttings and some new and interesting clones. We have been delighted to see these younger vines flourish in wet conditions and to bring this elegant wine to Wynnsday."

The 2024 reds are outstanding.

“2024 was a classic Coonawarra vintage, from which we crafted five stellar reds," says Hodder. "We are thrilled to see our V&A Lane Shiraz and Cabernet Shiraz wines return in superb form.

"Crafted by Sarah Pidgeon, they continue to set the benchmark for fresh, spicy, and naturally moderate alcohol red wine, sitting at only 12.6% each."

It's hard to pick a favourite, but I can't think of a better $45 bottle right now than Wynns 2024 The Original Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon.

Coonawarra is synonymous with high-quality cabernets and this one hits the bullseye for composed quality. It has lovely structure, elegant tannins, balanced oak, and impressive length. It is immediately accessible and deadly drinkable.

Youthful inclusions are the 2025 Black Label Messenger Chardonnay and the Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc - both are delicious despite their relative adolescence.

The 2026 Wynnsday Collection comprises: Wynns O’Deas Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, RRP $80, Wynns MacKillop Single Vineyard Cabernet Franc 2025, RRP $80, Wynns V&A Lane Cabernet Shiraz 2024, RRP $60, Wynns V&A Lane Shiraz 2024, RRP $60, Wynns Black Label The Original Cabernet Sauvignon 2024, RRP $45, Wynns Black Label Old Vines Shiraz 2024, RRP $45
Wynns Black Label Cabernet Shiraz 2024, RRP $45 and Wynns Black Label Messenger Chardonnay 2025, RRP $45

All the wines are released on Wednesday. See www.wynns.com.au and fine wine retailers across Australia.

Wynnsday wines mark a major milestone

Wynns Coonwarra Estate winemakers Sue Hodder (right) and Sarah Pidgeon (left) make a formidable pair, always producing wines of interest at fair prices.

This week's 2023 Wynnsday Collection - to be released on Wednesday, June 7 - marks Hodder's 30th vintage at the prestige estate. 

The new release comprises five elegant, medium-bodied Coonawarra red wines from what senior winemaker Hodder describes as "the outstanding 2021 vintage".

Hodder, who joined Wynns in 1993, said the new collection reflect what is destined to be a classic vintage.

Wynnsday 2023 is headlined by the 66th vintage of one of Australia’s most cellared wines, Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon, and also sees the return of Black Label ‘Old Vines’ Shiraz. 

The Glengyle Vineyard north of V&A Lane was selected as our single vineyard release in 2007, 2009 and now in 2021. 

Pidgeon, meanwhile, has made early picked cabernet and cabernet shiraz wines from the estate V&A Lane vineyards.

“The heralded 2021 vintage was cool and there was low rainfall, and no extreme heat or cold," Hodder says. "The wines have a noticeable iridescence to their colours and a similar vibrancy and depth of flavour. 

"The 2021 vintage is one that we are very proud of and one that will be cellared in Australia and indeed around the world." 

The 2023 Wynnsday Collection comprises:

Wynns Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2021; Always a favourite and a wine that offers exceptional value and reliable cellaring potential. Dark with cassis-like fruit this vintage is exceptionally elegant. $44.99

Wynns Black Label ‘Old Vines’ Shiraz 2021: A very stylish representation of cooler-climate shiraz that includes fruit from vines planted as far back as 1890. A wine of impeccable balance. $$44.99

Wynns Glengyle Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2021: The definite star of the show as the best single vineyard cabernet of the year. Inky, deeply flavoured and very varietal. $79.99

Wynns V&A Lane Shiraz 2021: This manages to be at once powerfully ripe fruited, and elegant and is made from some of the first vines to ripen each season. $59.99

Wynns V&A Lane Cabernet Shiraz 2021: The two stellar grape varieties in the region are blended  in a classic "Claret" style. Grapes were harvested on the same day and then co-fermented. Red fruits and just 12.% alcohol. $59.99

Eagle-eyed readers will note the absence of the flagship Wynns John Riddoch Cabernet Sauvignon. 

The 2020 vintage will be launched globally in September as part of Bordeaux's prestige La Place market offering. 

The 2023 Wynnsday Collection is on sale from Wednesday from wynns.com.au and fine wine retailers.