A Barossa favourite has done it again. First Drop Wines has taken out another Wine Spectator Critics’ Choice Award in New York. Its Mother’s Milk Shiraz has been recognised among the world’s finest for the fifth time.
It’s a remarkable milestone for the Nuriootpa winery and a moment that founder and winemaker John Retsas describes as both thrilling and humbling.
“It’s pretty special,” John says.
“Our little Barossa Shiraz has managed to stand alongside some of the greatest wines in the world, and that says a lot about the fruit we grow here and the winemaking talent across Australia.”
The Wine Spectator Critics’ Choice Awards celebrate consistent excellence and are among the most respected honours in the wine world.
“Australian wines can hold their own anywhere,” John adds.
“I’ve tasted remarkable wines from all over the world, but what we’re producing here is right up there. We shouldn’t be shy about that.”
Mother’s Milk has become a symbol of what First Drop does best. Making wines with style and soul. Each vintage is crafted from Shiraz grown across the Barossa and Eden Valleys, blended to capture both the power and poise that define the region.
“The north gives you that deep chocolate richness, the south adds floral lift, and Eden brings freshness,” John says.
“Together it creates something that feels modern and alive, but still unmistakably Australian.”
“Our approach to oak is more restrained which sets us apart.”
“When I first arrived in the Barossa, I thought wines were being aged in oak for too long,” he says.
“Mother’s Milk spends ten months in seasoned French barrels with no new oak. It keeps the focus on fruit and texture rather than wood. The goal is drinkability.”
First Drop has built a loyal following not just for its wines but for its attitude. Its labels are playful, its philosophy relaxed, and its cellar door impossible to miss. It’s a bright, character-filled space where guests can taste, eat, and explore.
“We’ve always wanted to create wines with personality,” John says.
“That’s what Mother’s Milk represents. The name itself is a nod to something wholesome, comforting, and moreish. It’s the Barossa in a glass.”
Visitors can experience the full story at the First Drop cellar door in Nuriootpa. Tastings range from relaxed pours to the Shiraz Masterclass, where guests sample nine distinctive drops collectively valued at over $800 for just $50.
The adjoining tapas bar serves South Australian produce, seafood from John’s hometown on the West Coast, and a rotating menu designed to pair with First Drop’s wines.
“Wine and food belong together,” he says.
“That’s what it’s all about. Connection, conversation, and enjoyment.”
Looking ahead, John has new plans in motion. With Greek heritage at his core, he’s turning his focus to fresh varieties such as Assyrtiko and Xinomavro, soon to be planted in the Adelaide Hills.
“We’ve always pushed boundaries,” John says.
“It’s what keeps things exciting. Five awards later, we’re still hungry to create something new.”
First Drop Wines – Home of the Brave
Where: 30-38 Barossa Valley Way , Nuriootpa
When: Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm, Sunday 11am-4pm
For more information, click here.
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