McWilliam's acquired the eminent Laira property in the 1990s and are now one of the largest landholders in Coonawarra. The stately Laira Vineyard is widely regarded as one of Coonawarra's very finest plantings of Shiraz. The only locally grown grape variety until 1950, Shiraz has played an important role in establishing Coonawarra's international reputation as Australia's preeminent red winegrowing region. Laira offers the timeless and enduring style of Coonawarra Shiraz, a distinctly regional wine of great length and superb balance.

The highly decorated McWilliam's team retain access to many of the finest plantings of Coonawarra Shiraz. Grapes are de-stemmed, chilled down to 10C and cold soaked for several days, a component of whole bunches are included. Parcels are vinified on skins for twelve days in a mix of headed down static and rotary fermenters, pumped over or to ensure full extractions of colour and flavour. Batches are treated to a gentle airbag press while still slightly sweet and racked to a selection of seasoned and new French oak barrels for malolactic. Upon completion, components are racked off lees, barrels are cleaned and the wine returned for fifteen months before assembling into the finished wine.