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 about the history, the winemaking techniques, and the dedication behind these handcrafted wines. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just curious about Australian sparkling, this video offers a fascinating look at how WA wines are coming of age.

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, drink them. 🍷🔥Wine Animal out.

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 legendary 2004 debut vintage to the upcoming 2021 “Once in a Lifetime,” this episode goes deep: winemaking decisions, whole bunch use, oak vs ceramic vs eggs, how he sells almost entirely to restaurants, and why his wines are released with years of age, not months.If you love Shiraz, stories, and the people behind great wine, this is one of the most honest and insightful conversations you'll see.

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 Chardonnay, Shiraz, and the philosophies that have shaped a life dedicated to balance, patience, and authenticity.It’s a conversation about more than wine. It’s about legacy, learning, and the beauty of doing what you love.🍷 Learn more about Doug’s wines: www.winesbydougneal.com🔔 Subscribe to The Wine Animal for more vineyard visits, winemaker chats, and behind-the-scenes stories from Australia’s most inspiring producers.

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 behind-the-scenes conversations with the people shaping Australia’s wine scene.

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 developed over more than a decade.As we taste, Adam walks through the pivotal years that shifted his approach, from fully destemmed ferments and small barrels to larger formats, whole bunch, and eventually ceramic and egg aging. This is a fascinating look at how technique, intuition, and time can transform Shiraz into two completely different expressions.

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 Swinney’s approach, and the unique conditions that elevate bush-vine Grenache, Syrah and other Rhône varieties in this part of the country. It’s a rare look at a region quietly producing some of Australia’s most exciting wines.

If you’re curious about emerging regions, cutting-edge viticulture or the future direction of Australian wine, this deep dive into Frankland River is essential listening.

In this episode, we head into the Yarra Valley to sit down with cult producer Shaun Crinion of Dappled Wines. Known for crafting some of the best value Chardonnay in Australia — and for releasing some of the most talked-about Pinot Noir in the region — Shaun has quietly earned a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting boutique winemakers.

We explore the philosophy behind Dappled Wines, what drives Shaun’s approach in both the cellar and the vineyard, and how he has created a label that consistently overdelivers on quality. Shaun also gives insight into his highly anticipated 2024 releases and why his Chardonnay has become a benchmark for value, precision and regional expression.

Whether you’re passionate about Yarra Valley wine, curious about Australia’s top boutique producers, or simply want to deepen your understanding of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this conversation offers a rare look inside one of the country’s most quietly influential wineries.

This episode takes a no-nonsense look at one of Australia’s most iconic wines: Giaconda Chardonnay. Four of us sit down with three different vintages and let the conversation unfold naturally — bold opinions, unexpected favourites, and a fair bit of chaos included.

It’s an honest, unfiltered tasting that cuts through the hype and gets to the heart of what makes Giaconda so revered. Whether you’re a serious Chardonnay collector or someone who just loves hearing passionate wine drinkers debate, this episode delivers insight, energy and plenty of entertainment.

If you enjoy raw reviews, deep dives into Australia’s top producers, and the spirit of Wine Animal at its best, this one’s for you.

This week on Wine Animal, we sit down with Doug Neal to demystify one of the most influential elements in winemaking: oak. It’s a topic many wine lovers hear about, yet few fully understand. Doug breaks down the differences between French and American oak, how barrels shape aroma, flavour and texture, and the impact oak has on a wine’s ageing potential.

Whether you’re a casual drinker, an emerging collector, or someone deep into the world of fine wine, this episode offers clear, practical insights that will change the way you think about oak-aged wines.

Recorded here in Australia, the conversation highlights the traditions behind some of the country’s most exciting wines and connects them to the broader global approach to crafting premium bottles.

If you enjoy learning about winemaking, tasting, and the stories behind the craft, follow the show and join the Wine Animal community.