Château Tanunda has released its 2026 Collection, a suite of the vineyard’s finest wines sourced from some of the oldest ungrafted vines on the planet.

The 2026 Collection release marks the 136th year since the winery was established in the Barossa Valley region in 1890. It features a selection of rare, distinguished wines, predominantly from old vine parcels up to 167 years of age.

Château Tanunda Managing Director Michelle Geber said: “The 2026 Collection is a statement. It exemplifies our commitment to protecting the region’s old vine material, but importantly, demonstrates our winemaking team’s exceptional skill in expressing the unique terroir of these old vine parcels.

“My father (John) recognised the significance of Château Tanunda, even when it was at its worst. All these years later, I’m incredibly proud to present the annual Collection release as a testament to what John saw could be the potential of this beautiful site.”

The 2026 Collection comprises 10 wines spanning the 2022 to 2025 vintages. Fruit is selected from across both the Eden and Barossa Valley, from small plots with vines planted as early as 1858.

Senior Winemaker Jeremy Ottawa said: “The 2022 vintage delivered classic Barossa depth, rich tannins, and ripe fruit after early soil moisture carried vines through a compressed, highly productive harvest.

“While the following year was Chateau Tanunda’s latest start to a vintage in its history due to an exceptionally wet spring resulting in restrained, elegant wines that
thrive with decanting.

“Despite 12% lower yields from smaller berries, 2024 achieved exceptional quality across all varieties, resulting in intensely flavourful reds and vibrant, highly aromatic whites.

“Overcoming the driest conditions in 70 years alongside severe frost, precision vineyard management in 2025 produced a fast, compact harvest of small berries with outstanding flavour concentration and remarkably fine tannins.”

Within the Terroirs of the Barossa range, Château Tanunda has released the cooler climate Eden Valley Shiraz 2023 which is a true display of elegance. Released in November, the Ebenezer District Shiraz 2023 is a complex wine from the rich red clay and ironstone soils. Showcasing opposite ends of the greater Barossa region, each expression of the Barossa’s famed red wine variety is on show.

In the Old Vine Expressions range, Château Tanunda’s focus on vine age is expressed across the portfolio. It includes the family’s newest releases from the Old Vine Range—the Shiraz 2024 (available now) and the Cabernet Shiraz 2024—which will be available in March 2027.

The range extends into the 50 Year Old Vines releases, with the Shiraz 2023 and Cabernet Sauvignon 2023. In the 100 Year Old Vine category there is the 100 Year Old Vines Semillon 2025 and 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2022 which are both available now. Completing the Old Vine Expressions releases is the 150 Year Old Vine Grenache 2023.

“The 150 Year Old Vine Grenache comes from one of the most unique sites in the world. Vines on this property are over 167 years of age, and are a testament to the beginnings of the Australian wine industry,” Ottawa said.

“There are less than 30 hectares of these vines across the entire region, and it took years of trial-and-error to discover what varieties and cuttings were brought from Europe to plant on this site. It makes each release of this wine a special moment to share, particularly as there’s so little of it available.”

Completing the 2026 Collection is Château Tanunda’s flagship wine The Everest Shiraz 2023 which holds a pedigree established upon its first ever release.

“Since the inaugural 2005 release was crowned the ‘Best Shiraz in the World’ at the IWSC in London, this wine has represented everything we stand for at Château Tanunda – the truest, most expressive Barossa Valley Shiraz crafted with a minimalist approach to best capture the story of the site,” Geber said. “It exudes everything we love about Barossa Valley Shiraz.”

Tried & tasted: Château Tanunda 2026 Collection

Drinks Digest joined Michelle Geber and Jeremy Ottawa this week to explore the 2026 Collection.

It was exciting as a Hunter Valley-born wine lover to try Ottawa’s take on Semillon. The Barossa Semillon’s tend to be a little richer and more rounded than their Hunter counterparts and Ottawa’s 100 Year Old Vines Semillon 2025 was superb, with a creamy palate, bright acidity and lots of punchy flavour.

Another standout from the collection was the 150 Year Old Vine Grenache 2023. This national treasure has been crafted from vines planted in 1858 and offers dark fruit flavours with perfectly balanced tannins.

Finally, The Everest Shiraz 2023 dazzled us with its rich berry flavours and subtle oak. With only 400 bottles available, it was a privilege to sip a glass with Ottawa as he described the care that went into its creation, with the grapes being hand-picked, then softly basket pressed and matured in the finest French Oak.

Château Tanunda’s 2026 Collection is available now, with a number of wines to follow in November and early 2027. The wines are available via the Château Tanunda Barossa Valley and Sydney Cellar Doors, online from www.chateautanunda.com, and from select fine wine retailers.