Botobolar Organic Preservative Free Shiraz: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Soft-Shouldered Crowd-Pleaser

Botobolar’s preservative-free Shiraz is all about honest, easy-drinking flavour — juicy cherry and blackberry up front, then a gentle wave of clove spice, chocolate and vanilla. It’s medium-bodied and smooth, with silky tannins that make it dangerously pairable with weeknight dinners and weekend BBQs alike.

Highlights

• Certified organic, vegan suitable and no added preservative
• Crafted by Botobolar — Australia’s first certified organic vineyard, making preservative-free wines since 1984
• Cherry, blackberry, clove spice, chocolate and vanilla; medium-bodied with friendly structure
• Hand-plunged ferment and a moderate mix of French and American oak for a soft vanilla-spice frame
• 14.0% ABV

Taste Profile

Tasting Notes

Pouring a ripe plum-purple, this Shiraz opens with raspberry and cherry, then deeper blackberry tones, a little tobacco and a nutty edge. On the palate it stays firmly medium-bodied — juicy fruit first, then clove spice and a whisper of chocolate, finishing smooth and tidy with silky tannins and vanilla-spiced oak. Dry, balanced and very easy to love now.

Winemaking

Fruit is crushed and de-stemmed then fermented in small open stainless fermenters around 24°C, with hand plunging three times daily. The wine is pressed off skins at around the three-quarter mark of fermentation to manage extraction from larger berries, then finished with a moderate amount of French and American oak. No preservatives or animal-based products are used, aiming for the most natural bottling possible.

Vineyard & Vintage

From Canowindra, NSW, and made by the long-running Botobolar team. Botobolar’s vineyard was established in 1971 in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range north of Mudgee, and it became Australia’s first certified organic vineyard. The winery has been producing preservative-free wines since 1984.

Why We Love It

Because it’s the definition of “reliable red”: plenty of flavour, no added preservative, and that smooth, weeknight-friendly shape that works across everything from pizza to BBQ. It’s also a brilliant way to introduce friends to preservative-free wine without sacrificing comfort and familiarity.

Food Pairing

This is a spicy, juicy, all-rounder red that loves char, tomato-based sauces and anything off the grill. Keep it casual — it’s built for sharing. Try matching this wine with →

• BBQ lamb or pork ribs (sweet-spice glaze) — Recipe Search
• Mushroom pizza (or a classic margherita) — Recipe Search
• Veggie burgers with smoky sauce — Recipe Search

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

A Long-Lunch Standout that also does weeknight duty — the kind of bottle you open when you want something comforting, drinkable, and guaranteed to keep the table happy.

Cellaring

Delicious now for its bright fruit and softness. You can also cellar it short-term (around 1–3 years) for a little more savoury complexity, but it’s designed to drink well without waiting.

Producer

Botobolar is a true Australian pioneer: their vineyard was the first in the country to be certified organic, and they’ve been leading the way with preservative-free winemaking since 1984 — minimal input, maximum drinkability.

Related Wines To Try →

If you love this easy, preservative-free Shiraz vibe, these are worth a spot in your next mix:

• Plush, BBQ-ready Shiraz — The Hero Preservative Free Shiraz 2025
• Juicy, approachable McLaren Vale Shiraz — Fran.k Preservative Free Shiraz 2024
• Gluggable, vanilla-spice Shiraz — Tamburlaine Preservative Free Shiraz 2025

FAQ

What does Botobolar Organic Preservative Free Shiraz taste like?

Expect juicy cherry, raspberry and blackberry, with clove spice, a hint of chocolate and a soft vanilla-oak finish. It’s dry, medium-bodied and finishes smooth with silky tannins.

Is Botobolar Organic Preservative Free Shiraz organic or preservative-free?

Yes — it’s certified organic and made with no added preservative. It’s also listed as vegan suitable.

Does this wine contain preservatives (also called sulphites)?

All wines can contain naturally occurring sulphites. This one is made with no added preservative and is listed with very low total SO2. Learn more about preservative in wine.

What food pairs well with this wine?

Think pizza, burgers and BBQ (it’s especially good with smoky, charred flavours). For a veg option, try mushroom pizza or veggie burgers with a punchy sauce.

How should I serve this wine?

Serve slightly cool for maximum drinkability (about 14–16°C). If you’ve got time, a quick 10–20 minute decant can help the spice and fruit open up, but it’s absolutely fine straight from the bottle.

How long will this wine last after opening?

Because it’s preservative-free, it’s best within 1–2 days once opened. Re-cork and pop it in the fridge, then bring it back to temperature before pouring.

Can this wine be cellared?

Yes, short-term. Drink now for bright fruit, or cellar for around 1–3 years for more savoury, mellow notes.

Is this wine vegan friendly?

Yes — it’s listed as vegan suitable.

Is this wine keto friendly?

It’s very dry, with low residual sugar listed. If you track sugar closely, check the product specs for the latest numbers and pour sizes.

Related Wines

• Eye Chart Preservative Free Organic Shiraz 2023
• Macaw Creek Organic Preservative Free Shiraz 2023
• Tamburlaine Preservative Free Shiraz 2025

(SKU: BO_Shi_CV)