The judges at China's Wine & Spirits Best Value Awards were impressed by this rich, spicy Shiraz, unanimously awarding it a Gold. It’s from John Quarisa, who for many years made wine for the biggest names in Oz, winning both the Jimmy Watson and Stodart Trophies.

Today, with the help of his wife Josephine, he crafts winners like this. ‘Passion is Everything’ is their motto, and, after just over a decade in operation, their winery in New South Wales boasts four stars from Aussie wine guru James Halliday. He describes the “exceptional value for money provided by the wines” and is full of praise for this red. It’s deliciously easy going, but still packs a punch of luscious ripe fruit. A sure bet for a bbq, a roast or a hearty bake.

20 years ago, a lightbulb moment resulted in the creation of RedHeads by Tony and Tom Laithwaite. It was a no-gimmicks, no-rules cellar where young, talented (and rebellious) winemakers could moonlight and make small-batch wines that really rocked their boat. Growers started bringing in pick-up loads of their best grapes they wanted 'rescuing' from the mega-blends.

RedHeads winemakers began to gain a reputation as the ‘Robinhood of grapes’ – saving parcels to make into handcrafted wines. So popular, the cellar outgrew its original home and, for a few years, it moved from shed to shed. Finally it bought its own vineyard and built a state-of-the-art, off-grid, solar-powered eco winery. RedHeads by name, green by nature, with awards galore.

Australian outlaw, Ned Kelly, is the inspiration behind this striking label. His story inspired another underdog – Sam Trimboli. One of our most popular Aussie winemakers, behind many of our chart-topping wines, Sam wasn't born into a famous winemaking clan or wine region. He just proved his skill through hard grunt and great wines.

Shiraz takes the lead in this fruit-filled red, while a twist of Durif and Saperavi (a native grape to Georgia) adds deep purple hues and soft full tannins. Combined they show off ripe aromas of blackberry, raspberry and cherry, with a hint of gun smoke from a light touch of French and American oak. Seductively smooth as a glass on its own, or a great match with juicy burgers and grilled vegetable kebabszz.

Tyrrells is one of the most famous names in Australian wine. Founded in 1858 in the Hunter Valley, five generations later they still produce some of the country's finest wines. They are renowned for the world's best Semillon and produce many other wines with legendary status. Their list of awards includes Australia’s Best Winery, Winery of the Year 2010, Winemaker of the Year twice in 2004 and in 2009, 14 out of 19 Trophies at the Sydney Show and many more!

In 1994 they made their first foray into Heathcote. The excellent structure and white pepper lift of this red are thanks to the ancient Cambrian soils, unique to this area. With firm structure, dense fruit and supple smokiness from 18 months in oak, it's best decanted early or cellared.