Exciting news for Jack Rabbit Vineyard – and our pocket rocket winemaking region!! The Bellarine winery’s 2025 Shiraz has just been awarded Best in Show in the 2026 Saint Martin Oak Great Australian Shiraz Challenge, one of the most prestigious wine competitions in Australia. It also took home a second trophy, the Sanector Best Victorian Shiraz.
Up against more than 300 wines from renowned red producing regions across Australia, the 2025 Jack Rabbit Shiraz stood tall against the best of best. Shiraz has always been a hero varietal of our region (alongside Chardonnay and Pinot Noir) and this honour confirms that reputation. Also worth noting that for such a young wine to take out two trophies, it will age magnificently. Great news for shiraz lovers too – in celebration of this award, the Jack Rabbit team has pre-released the wine and it’s now available online for $55 per bottle via www.jackrabbitvineyard.com.au
Now in its 32nd year, the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge is renowned as Australia’s most pre-eminent single class wine competition. The Challenge, chaired by Tahbilk Group Director Alister Purbrick AM, is a unique opportunity for Australia’s premier red Winemakers to showcase their Shiraz, benchmark winemaking and regional points of difference and assist with reinforcing the reputation of the varietal as a National and International wine icon. Nationally, Shiraz plantings are considerably more than any other red wine varietal.
Elated Jack Rabbit Winemaker, Nyall Condon said the 2025 Shiraz was a reflection of site and season.
"Following consecutive warm, dry growing seasons and lower-than-average yields, this 2025 Jack Rabbit Shiraz displays exceptional concentration of flavour, depth and structure."
"Sourced from mature Shiraz vines aged 30–35 years, the wine reflects the character of two distinct vineyard sites, both located in the heart of The Bellarine. “Cliffington”, with its denser plantings, lighter volcanic fine sandy loam soils and proximity to the coast, offers a distinctive expression of site. Further inland, our “Bundaleer” vineyard produces fruit from deep, dark and varied soils, ranging from basalt-rich volcanic loams to cracking clay, contributing depth and complexity."
"Featuring the established PT23 clone, a cornerstone of Australian Shiraz, the fruit was fermented in multiple small-batch open-top fermenters before maturation in barriques."
"Shiraz has long been central to Australia's wine identity, helping establish our reputation on the world stage. Today, the growing recognition of cool-climate Shiraz and Syrah, both in Australia and internationally, highlights a style defined by elegance, savoury complexity and refined tannin structure."
Jack Rabbit Vineyard
2025 Shiraz
Vibrant deep red with a brilliant hue, leading to lifted aromas of violet, liquorice, plum and spice. The palate reveals ripe berries and savoury white pepper, finishing long and silky with elegant, persistent tannins.
Head to www.jackrabbitvineyard.com.au Great value as well, the 2025 Jack Rabbit Shiraz is available for $55 per bottle.
Our ninth summer of Yoga in the Vines. A sixty minute flow with Wonder Yoga overlooking Corio Bay, followed by bubbles and a two course breakfast at House of Jack Rabbit.
A 600g dry aged Cape Grim tomahawk, cooked on the bone and served with all the trimmings. Pair it with two glasses or a bottle of Jack Rabbit red, from $155.
Afternoons at Jack Rabbit are remarkably well priced. Settle in with a generous cheese board, then choose two glasses of Jack Rabbit wine or two Z Blade tasting paddles.
