Pig In The House Shiraz 2024: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Plush & Velvety

A plush, certified organic Cowra Shiraz from Windowrie’s Pig In The House range, full of plum, blackberry, dark cherry, vanilla, clove and sweet spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied and dry, with bright fruit purity, natural acidity and textural savoury tannins giving it shape. It is a generous red for barbecue dinners, steak, mushroom dishes and slow-cooked comfort food.

Highlights

• Certified organic and vegan suitable
• Crafted by Pig In The House — Windowrie’s organic Cowra range from the O’Dea family vineyard
• Plum, blackberry, dark cherry, vanilla, clove, sweet spice and textural savoury tannins
• Shiraz from Cowra and the Central Ranges of New South Wales
• 91 Points — Wine Orbit
• 14.0% ABV

Tasting Notes

Medium-dark red to deep crimson with purple edges, this Shiraz opens with plum, blackberry, dark cherry, redcurrant, clove, vanilla and sweet spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied and dry, with plush fruit, natural acidity and a subtle oak profile creating a rich, balanced mouthfeel. Textural savoury tannins carry the finish, while white and black pepper add lift and energy.

Winemaking

This Shiraz is made as part of Windowrie’s certified organic Pig In The House range, with fruit handled to retain youthful colour, dark berry intensity and varietal spice. The producer describes a subtle oak profile rather than a heavily oaked style, allowing plum, blackberry, dark cherry, vanilla, clove and sweet spice to lead. The result is rich and balanced, with fruit purity, savoury tannin and enough structure for food.

Vineyard & Vintage

The fruit comes from Cowra and the Central Ranges of New South Wales, where the O’Dea family has grown the Pig In The House vineyard organically since the mid-1990s. The 2024 season produced a medium to full-bodied Shiraz with vivid fruit colour, plush fruit depth and balanced natural acidity. The wine is 14.0% ABV, dry, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL.

Why We Love It

This is a warm, satisfying organic Shiraz that still has freshness and shape. The plum, blackberry, dark cherry and clove notes make it generous, while the savoury tannins and peppery spice keep it dinner-friendly. It is the kind of bottle that works just as well with grilled steak as it does with mushroom ragù or a relaxed Friday-night pizza.

Food Pairing

With dark berry fruit, clove, pepper, vanilla and savoury tannins, this Shiraz pairs beautifully with grilled, roasted and slow-cooked dishes. It suits beef, lamb, mushrooms, eggplant, tomato-rich sauces and anything with a little char or spice.

Try matching this wine with →

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina or chargrilled steak — Find a Recipe
• Mushroom and lentil ragù — Find a Recipe
• Sticky lamb ribs with spice — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Pour it for barbecue nights, steak dinners, mushroom pasta, cooler evenings or a relaxed red to share while dinner is still on the stove. It is generous, smooth and easy to love without being overworked.

Cellaring

Drink now to 2028 for its best balance of plum, blackberry, dark cherry and spice. It has enough fruit and tannin for short-term ageing, but the charm is in its youthful generosity. Store in a cool, dark place away from heat.

Producer

Pig In The House is part of Windowrie, a family-owned Cowra wine producer run by Jason and Rebecca O’Dea. The label takes its name from the property’s former free-range piggery, where pigs were once known to wander into the homestead. The Pig In The House vineyards were planted in the mid-1990s and developed into an organic farming program that uses compost, biodynamic preparations and cover crops to build soil health. The wines are approachable, fruit-led and made to show Cowra’s warm regional character with minimal interference.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy organic Shiraz with dark fruit, spice and smooth tannins, these are strong bottles to explore next:

• Same producer, bright Cabernet with currants and crushed herbs — Pig In The House Cabernet Sauvignon
• Dry organic rosé with Sangiovese freshness and red fruit — Pig In The House Rose
• Certified organic Shiraz with blackcurrant, cherry and spice — Angove Naturalis Organic Shiraz

FAQ

What does Pig In The House Shiraz 2024 taste like?

It tastes plush and dark-fruited, with plum, blackberry, dark cherry, redcurrant, vanilla, clove and sweet spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied and dry, with savoury tannins and natural acidity giving balance. Pepper notes add a classic Shiraz lift on the finish.

Is this Shiraz dry, sweet or full-bodied?

This is a dry red wine, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It sits between medium and full-bodied, with 14.0% alcohol. The fruit is generous and plush, but the wine is not sweet.

What are the tannins and acidity like?

The tannins are textural and savoury rather than harsh. Natural acidity helps balance the plush fruit and keeps the finish clean. That combination makes it useful with grilled meats, mushrooms and richer pasta dishes.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This is a certified organic Shiraz, not a No Added Preservative wine. It may contain sulphites, as most wines do, and organic wines are made to lower allowable sulphur limits than conventional wines. It is certified organic and vegan suitable.

How should I serve Pig In The House Shiraz?

Serve at around 16–18°C in a generous red wine glass. A short 15–20 minute decant will help the blackberry, plum, clove and vanilla notes open. In warm weather, a very light chill can make the fruit and spice brighter.

What food pairs well with this wine?

It pairs well with steak, lamb ribs, beef pie, barbecue mushrooms, eggplant parmigiana, mushroom ragù and peppery pasta dishes. The dark fruit and clove spice suit chargrilled flavours, while the savoury tannins work well with protein and umami. For a vegetarian match, try mushroom and lentil ragù or grilled eggplant.

Can this wine be cellared?

Yes, it can be cellared short-term, although it is already delicious for its youthful dark fruit and spice. Drink now to 2028 for the best balance of plush fruit, acidity and savoury tannin. Keep it somewhere cool, dark and stable.

Is Pig In The House Shiraz vegan friendly?

Yes, this wine is vegan suitable. It is also certified organic. It is a good choice for drinkers who want a familiar Australian Shiraz style with cleaner farming credentials.

Who will enjoy this Shiraz the most?

This is ideal for drinkers who enjoy smooth, fruit-rich Shiraz with plum, blackberry, dark cherry and warm spice. If you like organic Shiraz, medium to full-bodied reds or soft barbecue-friendly styles, this will suit you well. It is more plush and generous than a light chillable red.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes, this is a dry, low-sugar red wine with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It can suit many keto-conscious drinkers looking for an organic red. Alcohol still contributes calories, so enjoy it mindfully as part of your broader plan.

(SKU: PI_Shi_CV)