Halliday Award-Winners

Fiano is known for producing aromatic and texturally rich wines, often characterized by a combination of floral, citrus, and herbal notes. When grown in the Hilltops region, which is known for its cool climate and elevated vineyards, Fiano can take on unique characteristics that reflect the local growing conditions.

Here's how our Fiano wine from the Hilltops region of NSW in 2024 presents:

1. Colour: Pale to medium gold, with hints of straw on the rim, alluding to it's youth and vibrancy 
2. Aromas: The wine offers a complex bouquet of aromas. Expect vibrant citrus notes, such as lemon and tangerine, intermingled with floral scents like white blossoms and hints of honeysuckle. Herbal undertones, reminiscent of fresh herbs like thyme or mint, might also be present.
3. Palate: On the palate, our Fiano displays a delightful balance between zesty acidity and a slightly oily texture. The wine's light body carries flavours of ripe stone fruits like peach and apricot, supported by tangy citrus flavours. Herbal nuances could translate into a refreshing savoury quality, enhancing the wine's overall complexity.
4. Mineral Notes: Given the Hilltops region's terroir, the wine exhibits subtle mineral undertones, reflecting the soil composition of the area. This mineral character could contribute to the wine's sense of place and add an intriguing layer to its profile.
5. Finish: The finish is crisp and lingering, with a combination of citrus zestiness and a touch of herbal freshness.
6. Ageability: While Fiano is often enjoyed in its youth for its vibrant fruitiness.
7. Food Pairing: Fiano's versatile character makes it an excellent companion for a variety of dishes. Its acidity and herbal undertones can make it a great match for seafood, particularly dishes with white fish or shellfish. It can also complement lighter poultry dishes, vegetable-based dishes, and salads.

Our Fiano would likely offers a harmonious blend of aromatic complexity, textural richness, and refreshing acidity, capturing both the grape's inherent qualities and the nuances of the Hilltops region.

Our Pinot Gris from Hilltops presents as follows:

Appearance: The wine has a pale straw to light golden colour, typical of Pinot Gris wines, which tend to be lighter in hue.

Aroma: The nose is delicate and expressive, with notes of white flowers, pear, apple, and citrus. There may be hints of green apple, honeysuckle, and a subtle minerality that is characteristic of wines from cooler climates.

Taste: On the palate, this Pinot Gris is fresh and lively, displaying a crisp acidity that is a hallmark of wines from cold climate regions. The flavours of green pear, apple, and lemon are prominent, with a refreshing zing that balances the fruitiness.

Texture: The wine has a silky and slightly oily texture, which is a common trait of Pinot Gris. This texture contributes to the wine's mouthfeel, making it feel round and well-structured.

Finish: The finish is clean and medium, with a refreshing acidity that lingers. It leaves a crisp, citrusy note on the palate, making it a delightful wine for pairing with a variety of dishes.

Terroir Influence: The Hilltops' cool climate, with its cool nights and relatively high altitude, contributes to the wine's natural acidity and freshness. The region's unique terroir also imparts subtle mineral undertones and a sense of purity to the wine.

Awards won 

“Best in Region” Chardonnay Trophy at the 2024 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge. 

Best Chardonnay Trophy at the Tumbarumba Wine Show

Best Wine of Show Trophy  at the Tumbarumba Wine Show

Gold Medal at the Royal Queensland Wine Show.

Another fine example of the wine that can be made from the cold climate region of Tumbarumba. We have been making Chardonnay from this region for over 30 years. 

Our 2023 Classic Chardonnay from Tumbarumba presents as follows:

Appearance: The wine has a pale to medium straw-yellow color with hints of green, showcasing its youth and freshness.

Aroma: Aromas are delicate and refined, featuring notes of green apple, citrus, and pear, with a subtle mineral undertone. The cool climate of Tumbarumba enhances the retention of natural acidity, providing a zesty backdrop to the aromatics.

Taste: On the palate, you'll notice a crisp and vibrant acidity that gives the wine a lively and refreshing quality. The French oak fermentation and aging impart a creamy, buttery texture, along with nuances of vanilla, toasted nuts, and a touch of spice. This combination of flavors creates a well-balanced and complex profile.

Fruit Characteristics: Chardonnay grapes from Tumbarumba exhibit citrus notes like lemon and grapefruit, along with green apple and unripe pear. The cool climate helps retain the grape's natural fruitiness while preserving a bright acidity.

Mineral Undertones: Tumbarumba's terroir contributes mineral qualities to the wine, with subtle hints of wet stones, flint, or chalk, adding to the wine's depth.

Oak Influence: The use of French oak barrels in fermentation and aging imparts a gentle but noticeable oak character. You might detect flavours like vanilla, butterscotch, and toasted oak, which are integrated harmoniously with the fruit and other elements of the wine.

Finish: The finish is long and satisfying, with a crisp acidity and a creamy texture, leaving a lingering impression of citrus, oak, and mineral notes.

Food Pairing: This Chardonnay pairs excellently with a range of dishes, such as grilled seafood, roasted poultry, or creamy pasta dishes. Its bright acidity can cut through richer sauces, and its buttery texture complements a variety of flavors.

In summary, our 2023 Tumbarumba Chardonnay again excels. It combines the region's cool climate characteristics with the elegance of oak aging, resulting in a balanced and sophisticated wine that is rich in both fruit and oak-derived nuances.

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Another year and another strong vintage from the cold climate region of Tumbarumba. For many years our Sauvignon Blanc has been a bright star of the aromatic varietal in many a restaurant in Australia. This vintage continues that trend. It's a wine that presents as follows...

Appearance: Pale straw to light lime in colour

Aroma: Intensely aromatic with pronounced herbal notes and freshly cut grass, green bell pepper. Hints of tropical fruits like passionfruit and guava persist.

Palate: Crisp and refreshing acidity that gives the wine a lively and zesty character. Flavors of green apple, gooseberry, and a subtle minerality. Herbal notes from the aroma carry through to the palate, along with a hint of lemongrass or basil.

Finish: Clean and lingering, with a refreshing acidity that leaves a mouthwatering sensation.

Overall Impression: Tumbarumba Sauvignon Blanc is elegant and expressive. It showcases a balance between herbaceous and fruity elements. The cool climate of the region allows the grapes to retain acidity while developing complex flavors, making it a refreshing and versatile wine.

This description captures the essence of a Sauvignon Blanc from Tumbarumba, highlighting its unique attributes shaped by the region's specific terroir and climate.

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Our Shiraz wine from Dalwood Estate, crafted from grapes grown in rich red soils, showcases a unique and captivating character. The climatic conditions of this vintage, characterized by cooler temperatures and abundant rainfall, have left an indelible mark on the wine's profile.

In appearance, the wine is a deep and alluring hue, hinting at its concentration and depth. The rich red soils have imparted a remarkable intensity to the colour, inviting the eye to explore further.

On the nose, the wine unfolds with a delightful aromatic journey. Ripe red fruits dominate the forefront, their lusciousness a testament to the optimal ripening achieved despite the cooler weather. The abundance of rainfall has nurtured these fruits, enhancing their sweetness and aromatic complexity. Intertwined with the fruit notes is an enchanting medley of spices, lending a layer of intrigue and depth to the aromatic profile. This harmonious interplay of red fruits and spices creates an inviting anticipation of what's to come.

The palate, a seamless continuation of the aromatic experience, reflects the skilled craftsmanship that has gone into this wine. The ripened fruit flavours observed on the nose translate brilliantly onto the palate, where they unfold with a silky and velvety texture. The early February harvest decision has resulted in a wonderful balance between fruit ripeness and vibrant acidity, contributing to a refined and elegant structure.

One of the standout features of this Shiraz is its well-integrated oak presence. The winemaker has artfully used french oak barrels to enhance the wine's complexity without overpowering its inherent characteristics. The oak imparts subtle nuances of vanilla, and toasted spices, contributing to the wine's overall depth and sophistication.

In summary, the 2023 Shiraz from the Hunter Valley, nurtured by the rich red soils and influenced by a cooler vintage with ample rainfall, is a wine that encapsulates the essence of its origin and the conditions of its growth. With its deep colour, red fruit and spice aromatics, seamlessly integrated oak, and a palate that strikes the balance between opulence and structure, this wine is a testament to the artistry of winemaking and the terroir it hails from.

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The harmonious marriage of these two iconic grape varieties, from two iconic regions of New South Wales.

Here's how this vintage of our Cabernet Shiraz blends presents:

Colour: Deep ruby red with crimson highlights, reflecting the wine's concentration and youthfulness.

Aromas: The wine does offer an enticing and complex aromatic profile. Ripe blackberries and dark cherries dominate, courtesy of the Shiraz, while Cabernet Sauvignon does contribute hints of cassis and subtle green bell pepper notes. The interplay of the two varieties does create an aromatic tapestry that includes nuances of tobacco, dried herbs, and possibly a touch of mint.

Palate: On the palate, the blend might present a medium-full body with a rich and balanced expression. The dark fruit flavours from the nose does transition smoothly to the palate, supported by well-integrated tannins. The Hunter Valley's signature acidity does provide a lively backbone, enhancing the wine's structure.

Finish: The finish is lengthy and satisfying, with the wine's dark fruit flavours and oak nuances lingering on the palate.

Food Pairing: The wine's balanced structure and blend of fruitiness and complexity make it versatile for pairing. Consider matching it with hearty dishes like grilled steak, roasted lamb, or rich stews. The blend's tannins and acidity does also complement dishes featuring mushrooms or aged cheeses.

Ageability: Depending on the winemaking decisions and the vintage's characteristics, this blend does have potential for modest aging, allowing its flavours to evolve and integrate over time.

Overall Impression: The 2022 Heavy Metal blend from our Sweetwater Vineyard, offers a captivating and layered wine experience. Its interplay of dark fruit, structure, and the influence of terroir does create a wine that appeals to those seeking a well-rounded red blend that reflects both the grape varieties and the unique qualities of the Hunter Valley's terroir.

A multi award winning red wine. This shiraz needs no introduction or tasting notes. 

4 Trophies

including top Shiraz and top red wine of show

2025 PKF Hunter Valley Wine Show

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Crafted from the finest parcels of our iconic Sweetwater Vineyard, our 2023 Epic Shiraz pays tribute to the Hunter Valley's rich terroir and generations of winemaking expertise.

Hand-plunged twice daily during fermentation, our fruit undergoes meticulous extraction, resulting in a wine of unparalleled depth and character. Aged for 16-18 months in French oak barriques, Epic Shiraz showcases our commitment to quality.

Since 2017, our chief winemaker has focused on sourcing the finest fruit from premium NSW regions, ensuring only the best for Epic. With soils akin to terra rossa, our vineyard offers gentle morning sun exposure for concentrated flavours.

Experience the epitome of excellence with Epic Shiraz – a celebration of our winemaking heritage and unwavering commitment to quality.

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