Clonakilla

Clonakilla was established by Dr John Kirk in 1971, before management passed to his son Tim. After a visit to the Rhône Valley in 1991, Tim was inspired to produce the winery's iconic Shiraz Viognier.

Located at Murrumbateman near Canberra, the Clonakilla vineyard is composed of sandy clay loam over a base of decomposed granite. After his revelation at Côte Rôtie Tim Kirk set about making a Shiraz Viognier blend from this vineyard. While Clonakilla makes a range of wines, their speciality is these two varieties from the northern Rhône Valley. At the winery they resist winemaking artifice; the intention is to let the character of the fruit express itself.

Clonakilla is one of Australia's leading Shiraz producers. Their Shiraz Viognier put Clonakilla on the map. The Shiraz line up also includes the small production single parcel T&L Vineyard wines.