South Australia doesn't need convincing about shiraz. We grow some of the best in the world, we drink it at every barbecue, and we have Opinions about it. So when we put Clare Valley shiraz into a gin, we knew the bar was high.
SG23 went on to win Best Flavoured Gin at the 2025 Australian Gin Awards. Not bad for a gin made in the distillery shed just up the hill from where you'd be standing if you dropped in for a tasting.
The question we get most at the cellar door isn't "is it good?" — one sip sorts that out. It's "what do I actually do with it?" Here are five answers, from a two-ingredient highball to a spring spritz.
What is shiraz gin?
Shiraz gin is gin that's had shiraz grapes steeped in it after distillation. The grapes give it colour, dark-fruit flavour and a little of the tannin you'd find in a glass of red, while the juniper and botanicals keep it firmly in gin territory.
Ours is made with Clare Valley shiraz from the 2023 vintage (that's where the "23" comes from). The grapes are steeped whole, then pressed and strained. There's no added syrup and no added colouring — the deep ruby colour and the fruit are all grape.
What it tastes like:
- Nose: dark plum, mulberry and a wisp of pepper
- Palate: rich red-fruit sweetness balanced by juniper and dry spice
- Finish: velvety, savoury and long — like the tail of a good shiraz
At 37.5% ABV it's gentle enough to sip, with enough backbone to hold its own in a cocktail.
1. The cellar door pour: SG23 and lemon soda
If you've done our tasting flight, you'll know this one. It's the mixer we match with SG23, and it's the easiest shiraz gin drink you'll ever make.
- 45ml SG23 Shiraz Gin
- 150ml lemon soda (chilled)
- Lots of ice
- Garnish: a wedge of lemon or a few frozen berries
Build it in a tall glass over plenty of ice. The lemon brightens the plum and berry notes and turns SG23 into something dangerously easy on a warm afternoon.
2. The Shiraz G&T
Prefer tonic? Go dry. A sweet or heavily flavoured tonic will fight the fruit, while a premium dry tonic lets it shine.
- 45ml SG23 Shiraz Gin
- 150ml premium dry tonic
- Ice
- Garnish: an orange twist
Orange rather than lemon is the move here — it picks up the dark-fruit sweetness and makes the whole thing smell like a spiced red. Pour the tonic down the side of the glass to keep the bubbles.
3. The Shiraz Gin Sour
Our favourite way to show off SG23 in a coupe. The egg white gives it a silky texture and a pale pink foam over the ruby gin.
- 60ml SG23 Shiraz Gin
- 15ml fresh lemon juice
- 15ml sugar syrup
- 1 egg white (or 30ml aquafaba for a vegan version)
Shake everything hard without ice for about ten seconds (the "dry shake"), then add ice and shake again until the tin is frosty. Double strain into a chilled martini coupe and top with an edible flower.
4. The Shiraz Negroni
A Negroni is already a bit of a red-wine drinker's cocktail — bitter, rich and built for sipping slowly. Swapping in shiraz gin rounds off the edges and adds a layer of plum and pepper.
- 30ml SG23 Shiraz Gin
- 30ml Campari
- 30ml sweet vermouth
- Garnish: an orange slice
Stir over ice for 20–30 seconds and strain over a single large cube in a rocks glass. If you find a classic Negroni a bit much, this is the one to try.
5. The Spring Shiraz Spritz
Spring's arrived in the Clare, the vines are budding and the afternoons are long enough for a spritz again.
- 30ml SG23 Shiraz Gin
- 90ml prosecco or sparkling wine (chilled)
- 30ml soda water
- Ice
- Garnish: an orange slice and a couple of frozen berries
Build over ice in a big wine glass — gin first, then bubbles, then soda. Light, pink-red and very good company for a long lunch.
Bonus: just sip it
Honestly? SG23 doesn't need anything. Pour a nip over one large ice cube and treat it like a digestif after dinner. It's where the velvety, savoury finish really comes through.
What to eat with shiraz gin
SG23 thinks it's a red wine, so feed it like one. It's great with:
- Wood-fired pizza — especially anything with salami, mushroom or a bit of chilli
- Charcuterie and hard cheeses — aged cheddar and parmesan love the dark fruit
- Smoked meats — brisket and pulled pork on a Sunday arvo
- Dark chocolate — for the sipping-neat crowd
Handy, then, that our kitchen fires up the pizza oven every day we're open.
Try it before you buy the bottle
Not sure whether shiraz gin is your thing? Come and find out. A guided tasting flight at the cellar door is $25 for three gins, and if you'd like SG23 in your flight, just ask. Buy a 700ml bottle after your tasting and we'll take $25 off.
Plan your visit to Sevenhill →
Shop SG23 Shiraz Gin — 700ml $100 / 200ml $40 →
And if SG23 has you curious about grape-based gin, meet its sibling, RG23 Riesling Gin.