Dandelion Vineyards Lionheart of the Barossa Shiraz, Australia.

This exceptional Barossa Shiraz showcases the character and depth of South Australia’s historic old vines. With a Vivino rating placing it among the top 3% of wines worldwide, it delivers rich flavours of dark fruit, warm spice, and a smooth, velvety finish. A bold and elegant red, it’s perfect for a relaxed evening or as a memorable gift for any wine enthusiast.

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

The Profile: An intense nose of ripe blackberries, blueberries, and dark plums, layered with sweet vanillin oak, black pepper, and dark chocolate. On the palate, it is incredibly rich and mouth-filling, bursting with juicy dark-fruit flavors held together by plush, velvety tannins and a long, spiced finish.

Classic Pairings:

Char-grilled ribeye steak with garlic butter, slow-braised venison, or a rich blue cheese like Cashel Blue.

Irish Favourite Pairings

Cork Spiced Beef: A traditional festive favorite. The warm spices (cloves, allspice, and black pepper) used to cure the beef find an immediate partner in the Shiraz's natural black pepper and sweet oak notes, while the savory salt beautifully softens the wine's rich structure.

Chipper Curry Chips: A true Irish late-night staple. The mild, sweet, and aromatic curry sauce is a brilliant match for the jammy, sweet dark-fruit profile of a Barossa Shiraz, while the fatty, salty chips easily cut through the wine's bold body. 

Dublin Coddle: This classic comfort bowl of slow-cooked pork sausages, bacon, and potatoes is packed with rich, savory fats. Scientifically, these proteins and fats instantly coat your palate, stripping away any dryness from the tannins and leaving the wine tasting incredibly smooth. 

Awards & Accolades

Official Awards:  Consistently highly rated by critics, frequently earning 94+ points from the James Halliday Wine Companion and taking home Gold Medals at prestigious international competitions like the Great Australian Shiraz Challenge.

Vivino Recognition:  Rated in the Top 3% of all wines in the world, celebrated globally for its rich, dependable complexity and outstanding value.

How the wine is made

This exceptional Shiraz is sourced from treasured old vines in the Barossa, which naturally yield small, highly concentrated grapes. The hand-harvested fruit is gently crushed into traditional open-topped fermenters, where it undergoes gentle hand-plunging to extract deep color and soft tannins. It is then basket-pressed and matured for 18 months in a mix of new and seasoned French oak barriques to seamlessly integrate the wood while preserving the pure, vibrant fruit.

Why we love this producer

Dandelion Vineyards is the passion project of winemaker Elena Brooks and her partner Zar, who are committed to preserving some of South Australia’s oldest and most historic vineyards. Elena combines traditional winemaking techniques with a modern approach to create wines that are authentic, expressive, and full of character. We love these wines for their ability to capture the true spirit of the Barossa with elegance, personality, and a sense of place.

Sustainability & Farming Practices

Vineyard Practices: Dandelion Vineyards prioritizes the careful stewardship of ancient, dry-grown vinability & Farming Practicesnes, using minimal chemical intervention to maintain the natural ecosystem of the soil. Hand-harvesting ensures these old, delicate vines are protected, while natural cover crops are grown between the rows to prevent soil erosion, conserve water, and encourage beneficial insect biodiversity.