Red cherries and strawberries along with notes of undergrowth and preserved lemon. Bright and juicy red fruit characters with a savoury back half of earth, leather and subtle dried herbs. The palate is of medium weight with graceful, fine tannins that lend it a plush quality throughout. Grapes were handpicked, keeping individual clones separate in small open fermenters. Some whole bunch fruit was added to ferments, enhancing aromatics and structural complexity. Fermentation was initiated by indigenous yeast (wild ferment). Each clonal parcel was basket pressed and filled to seasoned French oak barrels with full solids. All barrels were kept on lees to build palate, body and complexity. They were racked and blended just prior to bottling. Stephen Georges three hectare, dry-grown, Ashton Hills vineyard lies in the Piccadilly Valley sub region of the Adelaide Hills on a ridge just below the summit of Mount Lofty. Planted in 1982, its a quality site that, thanks to the humility and integrity of its gifted farmer, has been the source of some of South Australias most intriguing cool-climate wines, and certainly its most authentic and fascinating Pinot Noir. You dont need to spend much time in the Piccadilly Valley to realise why this area was granted sub-regional statusit is totally different to the rest of the Hills. In short, its much colder and wetter. Georges Estate vineyard lies at 570 metres above sea level and the vines shudder through some of the coolest vintage conditions in the country. Meanwhile, rainfall is a whopping 1200mm a year, well over double that of the Barossa. Whether its the lifted perfumes, elegant structure and Alpine freshness of the Pinot Noirs or the icy purity of the Riesling, Piccadilly Valleys bona-fide cool-climate imprint is never far away. A healthy portion of old-vines and the vineyards south-facing aspect afford George the luxury of late harvesting that plays a significant role in the personality of these wines. Terroir is one thing, how its worked is another, and Stephen George clearly has an intuitive touch and the drive to continually evolve. Most recently this evolution has resulted in George grubbing out all varieties except for Pinot Noir, and a little bit of Riesling, focusing his Pinot Noir on four specific clones selected from a line-up of 25 that he had tested. The Ashton Hills winery is incredibly basic, with an earth floor and next to no equipment whatsoever. The Pinot fruit is destemmed via a small, customised, gentle destemmer that keeps as many whole berries as possible. The fruit is then basket pressed, and the wine is made without any sulphur additions until bottling. Some whole bunches are included, and the percentage varies according to the style of the vintage. The red wines are mostly raised in aged, neutral French hogshead barrels. Having already cemented his living-legend status amongst his peers and compiled a storied CV that includes his role at Wendouree (since the 1980s) and twenty five vintages at the helm of Ashton Hills, you could forgive this reclusive winemaker for taking his foot off the gas. Not a bit of it. Stephen George is in fact making the best wines of his career.

This is the 6threlease of this award winning wine sourced from a vineyard that used to supply one of Hardy’s most awarded Adelaide Hills reds. Four different clones of shiraz give this wine rare complexity and consistency and its proximity to McLaren Vale gives it an uncommon richness and warmth not normally associated with ‘Hills Shiraz. This was a perfect season with the fruit enjoying optimal ripening to ensure full flavour development and balance of acid and tannins. There’s so mu

This is the sixth release of this wine and it's richness is again on display. This is rich, ripe, Hills shiraz looking a lot like the 'Vales. Black and blue fruits dominate with a hint of eucalypt and a palate supported by 20% brand new Frenach oak. A very classy wine that demands decanting to enjoy now but will offer improvement over the next 10-20 years.

This is a lovely, easy flowing shiraz from the Adelaide Hills that also packs a weighty punch - full of dark fruit and raspberry with sweet oak and spice flavours. It's a lovely example of what shiraz from "the Hills" can be - and all from a single block off a small family owned winery.

This is the 7th release of this flagship wine sourced exclusively from vines that used to feed Eileen Hardy Shiraz. This nose exhibits white pepper and spice, the palate is full bodied with layers of black and blue fruits finishing with firm yet fine tannins that will see this wine cellar well into the 2030s. One for cellar or decant now for an hour before serving.

Our family's vineyard lies high in the Adelaide Hills, where rows of vines traverse the undulating landscape intersected by ancient gum trees and gentle streams. Our Western Branch vineyard is home to our beloved stone barn and vast botanical gardens, as illustrated on these labels. With abundant wildlife, it is a special place of remarkable natural beauty and the perfect setting to craft this charming and elegant range of Estate Wines.

he ‘ol boy has done it again. Despite a difficult start to the season, Dad made some very astute calls in the vineyard during spring which meant we were able to take advantage of perfect conditions during the summer and autumn. This meant our fruit arrived at our winemaker’s with full flavour development and balance of acid and tannins. Our trademark blueberry, spice and eucalyptus are on show. This wine will see improvement up to and beyond 10 years in the cellar.

A small but brilliant parcel of fruit meant our flagship Five Clones Shiraz was on the menu again. The nose is abundant with black and blue fruits also seen on the palate, which is full bodied and underpinned by fine tannins. Further breathing reveals more layers of flavour and complexity after the initial tranche of bright fruits. A superb example of care in the vineyard and judicious winemaking. Enjoy now with decanting or cellar for up to 20 years.

Bright red berry fruits of raspberry and strawberry. Blackberry and plum fill the front palate, with a nice layer of spice in the middle with just the right amount of soft French oak tannins at the back.