Secure this collaborative blend and support the region’s recovery
Wine enthusiasts and collectors are invited to claim a truly unique piece of the Grampians at the annual Grampians Winemakers’ Shiraz Barrique Auction, taking place on Saturday 3 May as part of the Grampians Grape Escape festival.
This highly anticipated event offers the exclusive opportunity to bid on a limited-edition blend of premium 2023 vintage Shiraz, meticulously crafted from contributions of the region’s finest winemakers. With only 300 bottles available, each winery has selected a small volume of their standout Shiraz, showcasing a diverse range of characteristics: from beautiful aromatics and vibrant fruit to remarkable concentration and structural depth.
Adding another layer of allure to the auction, a selection of prized museum vintages will be offered, including the historic 1991 Barrique – the very first of its kind.
This historic wine was conceived and crafted by the late, great Trevor Mast, a legendary figure in Australian wine whose legacy is honoured with the Trevor Mast Trophy at the Melbourne Wine Show. Burgundy’s renowned ‘Hospices de Beaune’ wine auction was the inspiration for the Barrique Auction.
This year’s barrique has been expertly blended by award-winning winemaker Jacob Parton from Best’s Wines (his first time blending the Barrique), celebrating the 32nd vintage of this iconic Grampians blend. The resulting
‘2023 Grampians Winemakers Shiraz Barrique’ promises to be a richly nuanced and age-worthy wine, reflecting the unique terroir and collaborative spirit of
the region.
Best’s Winemaker Jacob Parton says the Barrique Auction offers a rare chance to own a truly one-of-a-kind Grampians Shiraz that won’t be found in a bottle shop or on a wine list.
“It’s not just a bottle of wine; it’s a blend that will never be replicated, representing the best of the region from a single vintage. It is a collector’s item and a symbol of what makes the Grampians wine community so unique.
“The beauty of the Barrique project lies in the diversity of the individual Shiraz components. It brings together rising stars and seasoned masters to tell a single story in a bottle. My role is to weave the distinct characteristics – the aromatics, the structure, the vibrancy – into a harmonious wine that not only drinks beautifully now but will also age gracefully.
“For the 2023 Grampians Barrique we’ve aimed for a Shiraz that offers both immediate appeal and underlying complexity,” he says.
Attendees will have the chance to sample the blend at the Barrique Bar
prior to the auction, offering a ‘taste of the Grampians’ and a preview of the quality on offer.
Beyond acquiring a rare and exceptional wine, winning bidders will also be making a meaningful contribution to the future of the Grampians wine region. Proceeds from the auction will support the region’s ongoing fire recovery efforts as well as go towards new events and initiatives for the local wine community.
FAST FACTS
- When: Saturday 3 May 2025
- Time: 2:15pm
- Where: Masterclass Marquee at Grampians Grape Escape
- More information: grampiansgrapeescape.com.au/whats-on-in-may-victoria/barrique-auction