Images: Hare’s Chase
Barossa Valley winemaker Hare’s Chase have just outdone themsleves at a major international wine competition with a trio of coveted awards.
At the 2026 Sommeliers Choice Awards, the Hare’s Chase team took out Australian Winery of the Year, Australian Wine of the Year and Shiraz of the Year. This tops their results from last year, when they were named Red Wine Producer of the Year and Shiraz of the Year.
It was the 2022 Hare’s Chase Vigilance Shiraz that led the charge, being awarded a double gold medal and a 96-point rating. The expert panel of judges praised the supreme quality of the wine, which subsequently received awards for Australian Wine of the Year and Shiraz of the Year.
Hare’s Chase also took out Australian winery of the year for a flush of gold medals for the 2022 Hare’s Chase Springer Shiraz, 2022 Hare’s Chase St Melengell Cabernet Sauvignon and 2022 Hare’s Chase Ironscraper Shiraz.
“The origins of world class quality wine begin in our Estate vineyards at Marananga on the western ridge of the famous Barossa Valley,” said Matt Reynolds, Hare’s Chase Chief Winemaker and General Manager.
“Our ongoing commitment to sustainable vineyard management practices backed by the highest standards of artisan winemaking are the foundations of our aspirations to craft classically styled, boldly flavoured Barossa Valley red wines of the highest order,” Matt said.
The prestigious Sommeliers Choice Awards evaluate wines specifically for the restaurant and bar market.
The wines are judged on features such as quality, typicity, food friendliness, value for money and packaging. The judging panel is made up of leading sommeliers, wine directors and Master Sommeliers, which is why these results are so special to Hare’s Chase.
“The whole Hare’s Chase team is over the moon about these results,” Matt said.
“They validate years of hard work to yield the potential of this amazing site.”
The judges said the 2022 Hare’s Chase Vigilance Shiraz was a “full-bodied red (offering) rich black fruit complemented by baking spices and oak spice, finishing with smooth tannins and a balanced, lingering presence.”
Matt also praised the 2022 vintage, believing it to be one of the greatest Barossa Valley vintages in living memory.
“These awards cement the reputation of the Barossa Valley as a world class wine region, and
arananga as one of the very best sub regions for Shiraz,” said Matt.
“2022 was an exceptional vintage, and will be long regarded as a highpoint reference for Barossa Shiraz.
“The recognition we have received at these Awards for our 2022 reds only reinforces our own view that this is a vintage for collectors of the very best Barossa wines.”
With more than 20 years of experience, it’s safe to say Matt knows a thing or two about the wine industry, and the ground Hare’s Chase vineyards grow from.
Speaking of, the winery is proudly family-owned in the sub region of Marananga in the world-renowned Barossa Valley.
“The landscape of the Hare’s Chase estate at Marananga resembles a patchwork quilt of several soil types that varies as you traverse across subtle changes in aspect and elevation.”
The same 2022 Hare’s Chase Vigilance Shiraz also received a platinum award and 97 points at the highly regarded Decanter World Wine Awards this year.
“Platinum awarded wines made up just 1.18% of all wines tasted in the show.”
With multiple awards under its belt and praise from all over the world, we’re keen to get a sip of this immaculate drop.
To get your hands on the $55 wine that won Australian Wine of the Year and Shiraz of the Year, head to https://www.hareschase.com/.
