Hayes Family Wines is thrilled to announce our recent success in the 2018 James Halliday Wine Companion. This year, Hayes Family Wines achieved an exceptional result with all 3 of the wines we entered scoring 94 points or higher. We also received the prestigious five star winery rating, an amazing accomplishment given this was the first time we submitted our wines for the Companion.

The 2018 Edition of James Halliday’s definitive guide to Australian wine is a must-have item for winelovers. James Halliday is one of the world’s leading authorities on Australian wine; matching intelligent and honest reviews with unparalleled knowledge of, and passion for, the wine industry. Here is what James had to say about our winery…

Hayes Family Wines…brings together the Hayes, Seppelt and Schulz families, each bringing a contribution to the partnership. Andrew Seppelt has 20+ years of winemaking in the Barossa, Marcus Schulz has more than 50 years of grape growing in the northern Barossa, and Brett Hayes and family have 25+ years of agriculture and business experience. In late 2016 the business was expanded by the purchase of a 5ha old vineyard in the Stone Well district on the western ridge of the Barossa Valley. The business is off to a flying start with its '15 vintage wines.

James awarded Hayes Family Wines a 5 star Winery rating, which is defined as ‘Outstanding winery capable of producing wines of very high quality, and did so this year. Also will usually have at least two wines rated at 95 points or above.'  Only 204 Australian Wineries were designated 5 stars, or less than 8% of wineries.

The ratings and tasting notes for the individual wines are listed below.  We’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers for your continued support of small, family wine producers.  Your loyalty helps us continue making the quality wines that we all love to drink. 

2015 Hayes Family Wines Barossa Valley Shiraz
95 points
A deceptive medium-bodied shiraz that reveals more about itself each time it is retasted, in particular the intense juicy black fruits that are wrapped within folds of new French oak and supple tannins. Ostentatious? No. Classy? Yes

Drink by: 2030 / Available now www.hayesfamilywines.com/wine/2015-ebenezer-shiraz

2015 Hayes Family Wines Barossa Valley Mataro Shiraz
95 points
An 80/20% blend from the Ebenezer district. The colour is bright but light; a beautifully made wine that has the quality of fruit by picking at exactly the right time, and then keeping the oak where it should be. The flavours are of purple (plum) and blue fruits, the tannins fine and perfectly weighted. If owners look like their dogs, this looks like its elegant labels (front and back).

Drink by: 2024 / Available now www.hayesfamilywines.com/wine/2015-mataro-shiraz

2015 Hayes Family Wines Barossa Valley Mataro
94 points
Bottle no. 18 of 300. There's a laudable approach with all the Hayes Family wines of picking while there's fruit freshness and adequate acidity. This fragrant mataro has delicious red fruits and superfine tannins.

Drink by: 2023 / Available now www.hayesfamilywines.com/wine/2015-mataro