Penfolds is an Australian wine giant with a rich history in winemaking. Founded in 1844 by a British couple who emigrated from Brighton to Adelaide, the original Magill Estate is one of the oldest in the country and has played a pivotal role in the country’s winemaking identity, especially through Shiraz. The age-worthy ‘Grange’ line, created in the 1950s, has become emblematic of fine New World reds and gained South Australian Heritage Icon status in 2001. The iconic blend of Shiraz-dominated ‘Grange’ wines is coveted around the world, and a bottle of the 1951 vintage recently became the most expensive Australian wine ever to be sold at auction for 142,131 AUD.

Penfolds produces truly iconic wines, including reds, whites, sparkling, and fortified wines. Although holdings have expanded over time, the core Magill Estate is a single vineyard monopole planted exclusively to Shiraz. Its proximity to Adelaide makes it one of the world’s few urban wineries, and visitors can enjoy brunch at the Magill Kitchen or fine dining at the Magill Restaurant while looking out over the original vineyards. The Cellar Door is open for a variety of tastings, with a social held on the first Tuesday of every month guiding guests through a selection of the estate’s portfolio, from the ‘Estate’ Shiraz to its brandies.

Penfolds has continued to innovate over the years, with recent collaborations reaching to California and even Champagne (for a sparkling rosé made with Thiénot), and a series of ‘Superblends’ of Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz set to take the world by storm. The ‘Ultimate Penfolds Experience’ takes visitors on a tour of the estate’s history and philosophy, leading them from the cottage through the vineyards to the underground cellars, finishing in a private tasting room with an array of the estate’s most sought-after wines. Visitors can consider staying on for the restaurant’s deluxe degustation dinner, featuring seven courses with pairings.