Cricket Pitch Red
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed within 1–5 years of vintage release to appreciate its fresh fruit character.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Grilled lamb chops, classic beef burgers, roasted duck
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The story of Brokenwood's Cricket Pitch Red is intimately tied to the winery's playful and community-minded origins. In the early 1970s, the founders cleared a portion of their newly acquired Hunter Valley land not just for vines, but also to construct a cricket pitch—a site that quickly became a legendary social hub for local winemakers. First released in the mid-1980s, this wine was created as an approachable, vibrant red blend. Typically marrying the structure of Cabernet Sauvignon with the plush fruit of Shiraz and the softness of Merlot, it represents a classic, easy-drinking Australian style. The fruit is sourced from premium vineyards across South Eastern Australia, then carefully blended and matured in seasoned oak to preserve its bright forest-berry flavors and soft, approachable tannins.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 1970 by Tony Albert, John Beeston, and legendary wine critic James Halliday, Brokenwood Wines has evolved from a boutique passion project into one of Australia’s most prestigious wine estates. Situated in the historic Hunter Valley at 401 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin, New South Wales 2320, Australia, the winery is celebrated for its exceptional single-vineyard wines and a philosophy centered on minimal intervention to showcase pure varietal character. Brokenwood is most famous for its iconic Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz, widely considered one of the country's finest medium-bodied reds, alongside its world-class, pristine Hunter Valley Semillon. Under the esteemed guidance of longtime winemaker Iain Riggs and current Chief Winemaker Stuart Hordern, the estate continues to set the benchmark for elegant, terroir-driven Australian wines. Discover more at their official website: https://www.brokenwood.com.au.