Australia Wine Tasting at Stem Wine Bar: June 2026 Recap

Our Australia Wine Tasting at Stem Wine Bar brought guests on a journey through some of the country’s most celebrated wine regions. Guided by wine educator Brian, guests explored everything from the crisp, citrus-driven Semillons of Hunter Valley to the bold Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon wines that have made Barossa Valley and Margaret River famous around the world.

As always, Paul and Jules provided exceptional hospitality, ensuring every guest felt welcomed and engaged throughout the evening. Chef Dom once again elevated the experience with creative food pairings. Each dish was designed to complement the wines. From kangaroo carpaccio to venison loin and Aussie beef pie bites, the menu captured the spirit of Australia while showcasing Stem’s creativity and attention to detail.

Australia’s Iconic Wine Regions

Australia is famous for Shiraz. However, its wine regions offer far more variety than many people realize. Hunter Valley in New South Wales produces world-renowned Semillon known for its bright acidity and age-worthiness. Victoria’s Yarra Valley is celebrated for elegant Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, while South Australia’s Barossa Valley remains one of the world’s great regions for Shiraz and GSM blends. Margaret River has earned international acclaim for Cabernet Sauvignon. Many wine lovers consider it among the best produced outside of Bordeaux.

This month’s tasting offered a fantastic introduction to these regions and the unique styles that make Australian wine so exciting. This Australia Wine Tasting offered a fantastic introduction to the country’s diverse wine regions and winemaking styles.

Round 1: Hunter Valley & Yarra Valley

We began our Australia Wine Tasting with two of Australia’s most elegant wines, showcasing the bright freshness of Hunter Valley Semillon and the refined character of Yarra Valley Pinot Noir.

Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley 2024 Semillon
Food Pairing: Smoked trout tartlet, cucumber, lemon, crème fraîche

• Smell & Taste: Bright and refreshing, this Semillon delivered notes of yellow apple, pear drop, Meyer lemon, peach, lemon meringue, and apple blossom, finishing with crisp acidity and remarkable freshness.
• Winery Note: Founded in 1858, Tyrrell’s is the oldest continuously family-owned winery in Hunter Valley. Sourced from mature vineyards averaging 40 years of age, this classic Australian Semillon was fermented in stainless steel and aged briefly on lees for added texture and complexity.
• Pairing Highlight: The citrus-driven wine complemented the smoked trout beautifully, while the crème fraîche softened the wine’s acidity and enhanced its vibrant fruit character.

Yering Station Yarra Valley 2020 Pinot Noir
Food Pairing: Bush spiced kangaroo carpaccio, heirloom tomato, pickled shallot

• Smell & Taste: Elegant and layered, this Pinot Noir showcased bing cherry, raspberry, strawberry compote, rose petals, cinnamon, mushroom, and subtle smoky notes.
• Winery Note: Established in 1838, Yering Station is one of Australia’s most historic wineries. Located in the cool-climate Yarra Valley, the estate is renowned for producing refined Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that express the region’s balance of fruit and finesse.
• Pairing Highlight: One of my favorite dishes of the evening, the kangaroo carpaccio highlighted the wine’s earthy notes while the pickled shallot amplified its bright red fruit flavors.

Round 2: The Heart of Barossa Valley

Round two moved into richer territory. These two Barossa Valley wines highlighted the region’s bold fruit, spice, and depth.

Tait “The Wild Ride” 2021 Grenache, Shiraz & Mataro
Food Pairing: Eggplant parmi bite, smoked tomato butter, crispy parmesan

• Smell & Taste: Juicy and expressive, this GSM blend offered cherry, strawberry, blueberry, plum, sweet spice, herbs de Provence, rose petals, and hints of anise.
• Winery Note: Inspired by founder Giovanni Tait’s Italian heritage and old-world winemaking traditions, Tait Wines produces handcrafted Barossa wines known for their depth, character, and sense of place.
• Pairing Highlight: The savory eggplant and smoky tomato butter mirrored the wine’s herbal and spice-driven profile while the parmesan added richness.

Yalumba Barossa Valley 2023 Shiraz
Food Pairing: Charcoal grilled venison loin, onion jam, black pepper jus, crispy potato

• Smell & Taste: Rich and powerful, this Shiraz displayed blackberry, red currant, plum, violets, eucalyptus, black pepper, chocolate, and smoked meat notes.
• Winery Note: Established in 1849, Yalumba is Australia’s oldest family-owned winery. The winery has helped define the Barossa Valley’s reputation for producing world-class Shiraz with both power and elegance.
• Pairing Highlight: My favorite wine pairing of the evening. The venison and pepper jus echoed the wine’s savory and spice-driven qualities while the onion jam highlighted its dark fruit richness.

Round 3: Margaret River Meets Barossa

The final round paired Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon with one of Australia’s most iconic producers. It was a fitting conclusion to the formal tasting.

Xanadu Margaret River 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon
Food Pairing: Aussie beef pie bite, braised short rib, tomato relish

• Smell & Taste: Structured and complex, this Cabernet Sauvignon featured ripe blackberry, plum, cocoa, violets, tobacco, dried blueberry, and earthy undertones.
• Winery Note: Since 1977, Xanadu has been one of Margaret River’s benchmark producers. Their minimalist winemaking philosophy allows the region’s maritime climate and exceptional fruit quality to shine through.
• Pairing Highlight: Another favorite dish of the evening, the beef pie bite paired beautifully with the Cabernet’s dark fruit and firm structure.

Penfold’s Barossa Valley NV Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz
Food Pairing: Lamington bite, coconut sponge, chocolate glaze, raspberry, macadamia

• Smell & Taste: Rich and decadent, this blend revealed toffee, walnut, caramel, plum, anise, candied cherry, blackberry, and baking spice.
• Winery Note: Penfolds is one of Australia’s most iconic wineries, with a history dating back to 1844. Their commitment to innovation and quality has helped establish Australian wine on the global stage.
• Pairing Highlight: The Lamington-inspired dessert brought together chocolate, coconut, and raspberry flavors that complemented the wine’s rich fruit and spice notes.

Bonus Round

As always, the bonus pours provided an opportunity to explore two additional standout wines that further showcased the quality and diversity of Australian winemaking.

John Duval “Entity” Barossa Valley 2022 Shiraz

• Smell & Taste: Concentrated and layered, featuring plum, fig, raspberry, sour cherry jam, dark chocolate, tobacco, leather, and vanilla.
• Winery Note: After a legendary career at Penfolds, including work on Grange, John Duval launched his own winery to showcase the elegance and structure of exceptional Barossa fruit.

Elderton Barossa 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon

• Smell & Taste: Blackberry compote, cassis, black cherry, cedar, mint, licorice, dark chocolate, and dried herbs create a classic Barossa Cabernet profile.
• Winery Note: Elderton played a major role in the revival of Barossa Valley winemaking. The Ashmead family transformed neglected old vineyards into one of Australia’s most respected wineries.

My Favorites

After an outstanding Australia Wine Tasting, a few wines and food pairings rose to the top of my list.

Favorite Wines

• Tyrrell’s Hunter Valley 2024 Semillon
• Yalumba Barossa Valley 2023 Shiraz
• Penfold’s Barossa Valley NV Grenache, Mataro, Shiraz

Favorite Dishes

• Bush Spiced Kangaroo Carpaccio
• Charcoal Grilled Venison Loin
• Aussie Beef Pie Bite

Final Pour

This Australian Wine Tasting at Stem Wine Bar showcased the incredible diversity of Australian wine, from the bright acidity of Hunter Valley Semillon to the bold reds of Barossa Valley and the structured Cabernet Sauvignon of Margaret River. Brian’s wine education kept the evening engaging. Paul and Jules delivered their usual outstanding hospitality. Chef Dom’s pairings made this one of Stem’s most memorable tastings of the year.

If you missed our previous event, be sure to read my French Riviera tasting recap.

Next month, Stem will explore the wines of Central and Southern Italy. Tastings will be offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings, giving guests multiple opportunities to experience the same menu and wine lineup.

Until next month, cheers to discovering new wines, new regions, and new favorites.