To celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Fire Horse on 17 February 2026, family-owned wine brand Taylors Wines introduces two exclusive Lunar New Year gift boxes featuring wines from its acclaimed St. Andrews collection, each proudly adorned with Taylors bold and iconic seahorse emblem, which was adopted after the discovery of fossilised seahorses on the family estate in Clare Valley in 1969. Today, it symbolises Taylors’ commitment to quality and sustainability.
A symbol of vitality, transformation, and fearless ambition, the Fire Horse occupies a rare and revered place in the lunar calendar — a fitting parallel for the independent vision and pioneering spirit that has defined three generations of Taylors winemaking in the Clare Valley, South Australia.
Two of the red and gold boxes are available – Taylors St. Andrews Shiraz or Taylors St. Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon. The packaging design unities time-honoured Lunar New Year motifs including golden horses, koi, lanterns, bonsai, all encircling the Taylors signature seahorse placed deliberately at the heart of the artwork.
In Eastern cultures, the seahorse has been regarded as a symbol of fortune, safe passage, and steadfastness; when paired with the revered horse of the lunar zodiac, a sign symbolising speed, intelligence, and prosperity, the emblem becomes a visual expression of strength embraced with grace. Together, they capture the intent of the Fire Horse year: to pursue progress with purpose and to celebrate beginnings with courage and optimism.
“We’re proud to introduce our new Lunar New Year gift boxes — a celebration of culture, craftsmanship, and the heritage of our St. Andrews wines,” says Mitchell Taylor, third-generation winemaker and Chairman of Taylors Wines.
“Our seahorse emblem, which features three seahorses grouped together, represents the three generations of Taylor family winemakers, as well as symbolising our origins and our commitment to sustainability and marine conservation. To see our seahorses proudly represented alongside the symbols of Lunar New Year, especially in the Year of the Fire Horse, is meaningful to us as a family and as winemakers.”
Here are my thoughts on the wines you’ll find inside the impressive boxes:
Taylors St. Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 showcases their mastery of this, their signature varietal. A deep brick red colour with a bold perfume lead by cassis and blackberry, underpinned by toasted eastern spices and a touch of graphite. The palate has more finesse than the intense bouquet suggests, and savoury notes of nori, tomato leaf and mint. There is a broad smudge of French oak, but long, supple tannins and plush fruit combine well in a very enjoyable expression.
Taylors St. Andrews Shiraz 2021 A dense ruby purple colour in the glass. The bouquet matches boysenberry, plum and liquorice with vanilla, mocha and coconut on the nose. Quite full-bodied and concentrated, the core has a grip of chalky tannin and a smooth texture. This one is all about restrained elegance, although matched to an exhuberant spiciness from maturation in American oak for 18 months. The finish is suitably lengthy and plush.
These wines both have the structure to age well – many of these top drawer Aussie reds are best when pulled from the cellar after twenty years!
For an ideal Chinese dish to enjoy with Taylors St. Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon, look for entrées that include earthy elements such as shiitake mushrooms, as the wine really brings out the earthy flavours. For the Taylors St. Andrews Shiraz, enjoy it with savoury meat dishes such as crispy duck or teriyaki beef, which will enhance the flavours of the wine.
The Taylors St. Andrews Shiraz and Taylors St. Andrews Cabernet Sauvignon Lunar New Year gift boxes are available now from select bottle stores across New Zealand, with prices beginning from $69.99. For more information about Taylors range of wines visit www.taylorswines.com.au.
