The annual Wine Australia tasting took place last Monday. Along with the wines came the winemakers, great characters with great stories of a side to Australia that we don't hear often enough – that of family winemaking, regional heroes and of classic winemaking.

Here are three of the many highlights from the day.

1. D'Arenberg jump stump white, McLaren Vale, 2008 €10.95

With a label inspired by an optometrist's eye chart, this white reflects the colourful personality and sense of humour of its maker, the inimitable Chester Osborn. Made from a blend which varies from year to year, this one is a rare mix of sauvignon blanc, riesling, rousanne and marsanne. The first two give it zip with the latter pair giving it body and texture. A brilliant entry to a superb array of wines from the fourth generation of winemakers from the Osborn family at d'Arenberg.

Available from: O'Brien's and independent wine shops countrywide.

2. Xanadu estate cabernet sauvignon, margaret river €18.50

"In Xanadu did Kubla Khan a stately pleasure dome decree." Coleridge could easily be describing the hallowed turf of the Margaret River in Western Australia. Xanadu was originally started by an Irish doctor who quickly established the reputation of the wines from Mar. After a brief dip in form, Xanadu is back producing benchmark wines of which this is a shining example. A great ambassador for Margaret River cabernet sauvignon.

Available from: online from bubblebrothers.com and from its shops in Cork city.

3. Langmeil freedom shiraz 2006, barossa valley €65

This Shiraz is made from 'ancestor' vines, a category from Barossa's old vine charter which seeks to classify wines on their age and give real meaning to the term 'old vines'. These vines were planted in 1843 by German Luterans, so this really is Australian wine heritage in a glass. Fantastic complexity, flavour and texture giving us vinous proof of there being life in the old dog yet.

Available from: The '05 is available online from curiouswines.ie and from its Cork warehouse.

Lar Veale runs Irish wine blog, sourgrapes.ie