The wine industry is in mourning following the death of Peter Fraser, the winemaker and general manager of Yangarra Estate in McLaren Vale, South Australia. He passed away on November 27, 2025, at the age of 51, in a tragic incident involving a fire at his home in Clarendon.
Fraser was celebrated as a key figure in progressive Australian winemaking. His accolades included being named Australian Winemaker of the Year in 2015 and winning Halliday Australian Wine of the Year twice for his work on the High Sands Grenache in 2020 and the Old Vine Grenache in 2024. This achievement made Yangarra Estate the only winery to win this prestigious award for the same grape variety on two occasions. Recently, he was also recognized in the Drinks Business Top 100 Global Winemakers list.
From his early days as the son of chicken farmers, Fraser graduated as a winemaker from the University of Adelaide in 1994, beginning his career at Woodstock Wines and later moving to St Hallett Wines in the Barossa Valley. He gained international experience during vintages in Spain before returning to McLaren Vale, where he became chief winemaker at Norman’s Winery by the age of 26. In 2001, when Jackson Family Wines acquired the Clarendon vineyard and renamed it Yangarra Estate, Fraser took the lead in shaping the winery’s reputation.
One of Fraser’s most notable contributions was pioneering McLaren Vale’s first elite single-site Grenache wine by isolating fruit from the estate’s High Sands block, a practice that encouraged a broader movement towards single-vineyard wines in the region.
Just a week prior to his death, Fraser hosted a retrospective tasting of Yangarra’s High Sands Grenache from 2010 to 2024 for media attendees. His dedication was evident as he expressed a deep love and understanding for his vineyard’s uniqueness and potential.
Fraser was an advocate for biodynamic viticulture and introduced innovative winemaking practices, such as maturing elite fruit parcels in ceramic eggs and concrete amphoras to enhance the texture and quality of his wines. He also played a critical role in redefined Australian Shiraz, seeking elegance and complexity in his wine expressions.
Described as a passionate naturalist, Fraser loved animals, particularly horses, and was deeply engaged in sustainable farming practices throughout his life. His contributions to the industry were not only professional but personal as well, as he formed close bonds with fellow winemakers, sharing insights and ambitions.
Tributes have poured in from colleagues and friends, including winemaker Stephen Pannell, who reflected on their shared love for Grenache and the collaborative spirit they fostered. D’Arenberg Wines’ Chester Osborn recalled Fraser as a delightful and continually evolving winemaker.
Yangarra Estate released a heartfelt statement acknowledging Fraser’s profound influence and legacy within the wine community, expressing their devastation at his loss. He is survived by his wife, Tessa, and their two children, Jack and Poppy.