The Wine Animal Show

Ever wondered how great Champagne stays consistent year after year? In this deep dive with Hervé Dantan, we uncover the art of blending hundreds of wines, decades of reserve stocks, and multiple tastings to create a single bottle of Champagne Lanson Black Création. A fascinating look at why non-vintage Champagne may be the most challenging wine to make.

For over 70 years, Wynns Coonawarra Estate has helped define Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. In this episode, we explore the history, legacy, and enduring appeal of one of the country's most iconic wine producers.

Wine Animal visits McGill Wines in the heart of the Barossa Valley to explore a unique passion project built around estate-grown wines, one-litre bottles, and unforgettable vineyard stays. From sunset views and old vines to Shiraz, Cabernet, and Nero d’Avola, this is a deep dive into boutique Barossa wine culture done differently.

Master of Wine David LeMire joins Wine Animal for a deep dive into Tolpuddle Vineyard, Tasmania’s iconic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producer. From the challenge of earning the Master of Wine title to the philosophy behind one of Australia’s most respected wine labels, this episode explores terroir, tasting, vintage evolution, and what makes Tolpuddle wines so unforgettable.

From bottle shops to global wine authority, Erin Larkin joins The Wine Animal for a deep dive into Australian Chardonnay, wine criticism, and what truly defines great wine.

Brenno and Erin Larkin unpack one of Australia’s most iconic wines, Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay. From the exceptional 2023 vintage to the discipline behind its timeless style, this conversation explores why some wines transcend trends and only get better with time.

A blind wine tasting between friends quickly turns into a battle of instinct, ego, and experience. With no labels and no hints, every guess relies purely on what’s in the glass, and that’s where things start to unravel. Watch as confident calls shift, assumptions get challenged, and subtle flavor cues lead both tasters down completely different paths. It’s a raw, honest look at how even seasoned w...

Brenno sits down with Dan Eggleton of Ben Murray Wines for a conversation that goes far deeper than wine. After tragedy in the Barossa community, Dan started a simple monthly breakfast, bacon, eggs and coffee, creating a space where growers, winemakers and locals can talk openly and support each other. This episode explores the pressures of rural life, the importance of mateship, and why sometimes...

Mount Edelstone, raw, uncut, and standing among 113-year-old vines. In this episode, we step into one of Australia’s most historic single-vineyard Shiraz sites. From deep red-brown soils and mass selection blocks to rocket-scientist trellising and meticulous vine management, this is viticulture at its most detailed and deliberate. We taste the 2021 Mount Edelstone in the vineyard itself and explor...

Meursault is one of Burgundy’s most revered names, yet it holds no Grand Cru vineyards. So the question is… does it even need them? In this episode, we sit down with Alex Rougeot, whose family history in Meursault stretches back generations. We explore soils, elevation, microclimates, and the producers whose wines command extraordinary prices, unpacking what truly gives this appellation its power....

Standing among 150-year-old Shiraz vines in Eden Valley, Stephen Henschke shares the story of migration, faith, farming, and family that shaped one of Australia’s most iconic wines. We explore vineyard orientation, Easter harvests, screwcap philosophy, and what makes this site so singular. A conversation about legacy, longevity, and the responsibility of custodianship.

From Sauternes inspiration to the science of botrytis, we unpack how humidity, timing and noble rot create remarkable concentration and freshness. With more than 182 trophies to its name, this isn’t just dessert wine, it’s heritage in a glass. We also explore ageing potential, closure choices, and why the best sweet wines are always about balance, not sugar.

From a quiet Adelaide Hills winery to more than sixty years of lived experience, this episode explores the philosophy behind Riposte and a winemaker who has seen every side of the craft. It’s a story built on observation, patience, and the belief that the most important decisions happen long before the grapes reach the winery Tim reflects on 64 consecutive vintages, unpacking the realities of cold...

From Prussian roots to Eden Valley icon, this episode dives deep into the Henschke family story: a legacy shaped by six generations, relentless attention to detail, and an unwavering belief that great wine is built in the vineyard, not manufactured in the winery. Stephen Henschke shares the journey from forced migration to farming some of Australia’s most important vineyards, exploring soil scienc...

In this episode, I sit down with Gords from 1683 Wines, a genuinely global winemaker whose journey runs from France to New York, Japan, Australia, Burgundy and finally Margaret River. We talk about:* Why copying Bordeaux or Burgundy misses the point* Cabernet Franc and Malbec as serious Margaret River wines* What “sense of place” actually means (and why it’s often lost)* Old world prestige vs new...

Back at De Bortoli in the heart of the Yarra Valley, I sit down with Jai and Kate to talk vineyards, vintages, and where Australian wine is heading next. From old-vine Chardonnay planted in the 1970s to the growing case for Gamay as a future-proof variety, this episode dives into: * Why Gamay is ripening later, holding acidity, and winning hearts * The difference between Upper and Lower Yarra, bey...

Step into the studio with me as I sit down with the legendary Bruce Dukes of Domaine Naturaliste, a guy whose story literally starts in backyard compost heaps and somehow leads all the way to the vineyards of Margaret River, with a pretty wild detour through UC Davis and Napa Valley. In our chat, Bruce takes me through: The childhood obsession with soil that kickstarted his whole journey How study...

Join me in the stunning Victorian High Country for an unfiltered, warm, and genuinely hilarious conversation with winemaker and mentor Kepple Smith of Savaterre. On the first day of spring, with a flight of Chardonnay in front of us and an incredible spread prepared by Kepple’s wife, we dive into the story of how a former Sydney surfer, police officer, and foreign-exchange executive ended up becom...

Join us at the Wine Animal YouTube channel for an in-depth exploration of Western Australian sparkling wines! We’re joined by two legends of the WA wine scene, JJ and Ray Jordan, to taste and discuss seven exceptional wines, 5 white sparklings, and 2 roses. From Pemberton to Margaret River, discover how these regions are producing some of Australia’s most refined and elegant sparkling wines. Learn...

Four wines. Same producer. Same vintage. Two estate-grown, two négociant and the differences are wild. From lifted, blue-fruited, old-world-meets-new-world charm…to earthy, spicy, more structured Pinot…to the powerful Premier Cru…and finally the Grand Cru: deep, electric, wide on the palate, and insanely pure. These 2022s are already singing, no need to wait 20 years. If you see them on a list, dr...

Join me in Heathcote as I sit down with winemaker Adam Foster, the man behind Syrahmi, to open the very first vintage he ever made, the unreleased current vintage, and everything in between. We dive into Adam’s journey from chef to Rhone-inspired Shiraz producer, the philosophy behind single-vineyard expression, and why patience, process, and Mother Nature shape every bottle he releases. From the...

Join me for the second episode with Doug Neal, one of Victoria’s quiet achievers in wine, a man whose journey started as a teacher before becoming a winemaker, mentor, and close friend of Rick Kinzbrunner of Giaconda. From Paradise IV to Gaffy & Neal Wines in the Mornington Peninsula, Doug’s story is built on friendship, perseverance, and a deep respect for the craft. This time we talk Chardon...

Brenden visits Heathcote to chat with Adam Foster of Syrahmi Wines, diving into the origins of his iconic La La Shiraz, a wine inspired by the Rhône and aged for over 50 months in 100% new oak. They explore its evolution, the challenges of patience and perfection, and why this limited release has become one of Australia’s most fascinating fine wine stories.👉 Subscribe to The Wine Animal for more...

In this episode, we dive deep into a rare side-by-side tasting of Syrahmi’s La La 2006 and 2019, two vintages that reveal just how far Adam Foster’s winemaking has evolved. The 2006 La La, Adam’s very first release, a tiny one-barrel project, marks the beginning of the Syrahmi story. We compare it directly with the beautifully fragrant, whole-bunch-driven 2019 La La, showcasing how his craft has d...

Everyone knows Margaret River and the Barossa, but far fewer have travelled inland to discover one of Western Australia’s most compelling wine regions: Frankland River . In this episode, we sit down with Rob Mann of Swinney to uncover what makes this remote, rugged landscape one of Australia’s most distinctive terroirs. Rob takes us inside the meticulous vineyard management, the precision behind S...