We are launching a new mail order/website only label called 'The Playground'. This will be the new home for all of the bits and pieces that we are playing with just for a bit of fun and experience. Weird varieties, new vineyards and just things that come by and take our fancy. By their nature they will be small runs of usually less than 2 barrels, or about 60 dozen, but will always have the quality that befits the Teusner brand and the value will be extraordinary. We can bypass the traditional supply chain due to the very low volumes and keep the wines at extremely good prices.

Which brings me to our latest release, to begin this new project. It comes up front with a bit of a warning, however. Those that are easily offended should steer clear! Some will say it's simply poor taste, but hey - we're simple country folk and I've never been known for taste - you should see the hot pink wall in my kitchen!

It is a 2008 shiraz from a 65 year old vineyard in Williamstown, in the southeastern Barossa (pretty much at the foothills of the Adelaide Hills region). The wine is dark, rich, ripe and intense - textbook Barossa with plums anise and moccha characters and some subtle underlying toastiness from the 21 months spent in 50% new Francois Freres French oak. We have only produced 60 dozen of this wine. We have called it Tiger's Wood - sorry we just couldn't resist!