Legends, heroes, scoundrels and wily mutts: these characters were equally responsible for developing the gregarious Australian identity. Thus it is only fair their contribution be championed by quintessentially Australian wines as colorful as the nation's regional folk lore.

Adelaide Hills Chardonnay

"On the Road to Gundagai" is a fascinating piece of Australian bush ore that personifies the Aussie battler and the pioneering spirit. While transporting badly needed provisions, drovers had to cross several treacherous rivers, the most famous of which was Five Mile Creek near Gundagai. As legends goes, Bullocky Bill, the stoic but somewhat unlucky drover, became bogged at Five Mile Creek. The yoke of his bullock team broke, so the drover's faithful mutt guarded the tuckerbox (food supplies) while his master went for help.

Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz

"The Man from Snowy River" is an Australian legend from the High Country who could ride like no other. his pluck and fiery courage were immortalized by poet Banjo Paterson in the tale of the stockman's wild ride to recapture the colt from Old Regret who got away.

Claire Shiraz

Inspired by the artist Sir Sidney Nolan, the label depicts one of the country's most notorious outlaws, Ned Kelly. Living much of his short life on the run, his eventual capture in 1880 only furthered the legend. During an all night police siege of his small town hide-out, Kelly fashioned himself a hand-made suit of metal armor, comprising a heavy cylindrical helmet with eyeholes and a large breastplate. As day broke, Kelly confidently stepped outside in his suit amidst a hail of bullets, only to be shot in the leg! He was subsequently arrested, tried and hanged. His last words: "Such is Life".