2021 The Cutting Shiraz

Belinda van Eyssen didn’t grow up dreaming of winemaking - wine wasn’t even on her radar. Where she grew up in South Africa, wine was for the elite, and alcohol carried a stigma. But a deep dive into chemical analysis as a food technologist flipped the script, sparking a curiosity that led to a vintage internship in California and, eventually, a whole new life in Australia. Now, alongside her husband, Daniel McDonald, she runs The Cutting, crafting wines with sustainability, transparency, and precision at forefront. A maker of great wine, yes, Belinda also challenges industry norms, asking the tough questions about representation, and proving that real change starts from the ground up.

What started as a single barrel of Shiraz in an uninsulated shed back in 2014 has grown into one of the Barossa’s most exciting boutique wineries. The Cutting is all about minimal intervention and site expression. Their Stone Well vineyard, perched at 265m, gets the best of both worlds - cooling breezes and a wild mix of sandstone, ironstone, pink quartz, and limestone, adding layers of complexity to the wines. With a focus on letting the vineyard shine through, Belinda and Daniel’s approach results in wines that are as pure and uplifting as they are expressive, boldly showcasing the beautiful Barossa.