Pikes Wines Reserve Range: A Celebration of Heritage, Place, and Patience

At Pikes Wines, our Reserve Range represents the pinnacle of what we do - small-batch, hand-crafted wines that express the very best of our Polish Hill River Estate.

Each Reserve wine is a tribute: to our family, to our land, and to the pursuit of excellence that has defined Pikes for over four decades. From the purity of Riesling to the depth and structure of Shiraz and Cabernet, these are wines that embody patience, precision, and place.

In the vineyard and winery, every block, every parcel of fruit, every ferment and barrel is treated as though it could one day become a Reserve wine. Once vintage is complete, each ferment is carefully assessed on its own merits. The winemaking team individually scores every tank and barrel, more than once, to ensure fairness and accuracy. The highest-scoring parcels from our estate return to the tasting bench for further consideration.

Our goal is not to craft the biggest or boldest wines, but the purest expression of each variety from our Polish Hill River Estate. In vintages where the fruit does not reach the exceptional quality we demand, we simply choose not to make a Reserve wine.

We invite you to discover the stories and craftsmanship behind these remarkable wines.

‘The Merle’ Reserve Riesling

Named after our family matriarch, The Merle stands as the pinnacle of Pikes Riesling and is a wine of purity, precision, and provenance. Hand-picked and sorted in the vineyard from the finest parcels of Riesling, this wine represents the purest expression of our Polish Hill River site.

Fermented from 100% free-run juice with neutral yeast in stainless steel, then matured for four months on lees, The Merle is all about purity and poise. It delivers a stunning combination of concentration, length, and approachability - a testament to the excellence that can be achieved even in challenging vintages.

With the potential to cellar for decades, The Merle is both timeless and versatile. Enjoy it now with freshly shucked Pacific oysters, or watch it evolve into a masterpiece over time.

‘Il Premio’ Reserve Sangiovese

Translating to “The Prize”, Il Premio is a fitting name for this Reserve Sangiovese - the result of over three decades of commitment to this noble Italian variety. Now in its fourth release, Il Premio comes from our oldest block, E5, planted in 1993, where Sangiovese has found its natural balance in the Clare Valley’s climate.

Fermented with native yeast in small open fermenters, hand-plunged, and matured for eight months in seasoned French barriques, Il Premio shows savoury depth and elegance in equal measure.

Now in its fourth release, this premium Sangiovese has quickly become one of the most anticipated - a prized possession that celebrates persistence and perfection. Pair it with a slow-cooked pork and fennel ragu for a truly rewarding experience.

‘The E.W.P.’ Reserve Shiraz

Named in honour of Pikes co-founder and patriarch Edgar Walter Pike, The E.W.P. represents the purest expression of Shiraz from our Polish Hill River estate. This premium wine captures the unique minerality and finesse of our site while showcasing the generosity and depth for which Clare Valley Shiraz is renowned.

Fermented on skins for an average of 14 days using both inoculated and natural ferments and gently managed with compressed air to protect aromatics, The E.W.P. reveals balance, depth, and refinement.

Delicious upon release, it has the power and elegance to cellar gracefully for 15 years or more. For the ultimate indulgence, pair it with confit roast duck.

‘The Hill Block’ Reserve Cabernet

Named after our oldest block of Cabernet Sauvignon. Planted on the highest point of our Polish Hill River Estate, this vineyard was planted in the days after the property settled in the spring of 1984.

Cabernet Sauvignon has long been one of Clare Valley’s finest varieties, and in exceptional vintages, it produces wines of remarkable structure and longevity. The Hill Block Reserve Cabernet is crafted only in such rare seasons when the fruit reaches its absolute peak.

Wild-fermented in closed fermenters and matured for 10 months in French barriques, The Hill Block showcases classic Clare Cabernet traits: cassis, cedar, and fine tannin precision.

Beautifully approachable in its youth yet built to reward patience, this will evolve gracefully over the next 15 years and beyond. Pair with a butterflied leg of roast lamb to highlight its depth and balance.

‘The Vanguard’ Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

The definition of leadership and innovation, The Vanguard honours Andrew Pike — founding viticulturalist, owner, and visionary behind Pikes Wines. His commitment to excellence, sustainability, and the evolution of Clare Valley viticulture has inspired this limited-release Reserve Cabernet.

Sourced from three select blocks planted in 1996 and 2009, The Vanguard was wild fermented on skins for 12–14 days and matured in seasoned French barriques for 10 months before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. The result is a wine of remarkable precision and depth, setting a new benchmark for Cabernet Sauvignon from our estate.

With only 50 dozen produced, this wine is as exclusive as it is exceptional. Outstanding upon release as a four-year-old wine, it will reward cellaring for 20+ years. Pair with a grass-fed Scotch fillet, cooked medium-rare, for an unforgettable experience.

The Essence of the Pikes Reserve Range

Every Pikes Reserve wine is a story of place, patience, and pursuit - a culmination of years of careful vineyard management and winemaking excellence. And every one of them is only produced in the most exceptional vintages, when conditions deliver fruit that expresses the very soul of our Polish Hill River Estate.

From the purity of The Merle to the elegance of Il Premio Sangiovese and the power of The E.W.P. Shiraz, these wines embody our unwavering commitment to excellence and authenticity.