Description
Ashton Hills is a three hectare vineyard that lies in the Piccadilly Valley sub region of the Adelaide Hills on a ridge just below the summit of Mount Lofty. The estate was founded by Stephen George in 1982 and since that time it has built a reputation as one of Australia’s finest proponents of pinot noir and cool climate whites.
For over 30 years Stephen experimented with up to 25 pinot noir clones, ultimately settling on five key clones that now make the acclaimed Reserve and Estate Pinot Noirs from Ashton Hills, plus a range of awarded sparkling wines. Eight carefully cultivated rows of riesling also remain in the Ashton Hills vineyard, producing a highly exclusive and limited Ashton Hills riesling each year.
Stephen George wore two winemakers’ hats … one for his Ashton Hills wines, the other for the iconic Wendouree wines in Clare. He refered to his dry grown Piccadilly Valley vineyard as the “Burgundy of the Adelaide Hills” and his “garden”. Stephen is one of Australia’s most highly respected winemaking viticulturalists and a pioneer of Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir. The result is sublime pinot noir.. unfortunately in minuscule quantities!
Stephen has now taken a step back into semi-retirement to spend more time travelling to his beloved Burgundy, and has transferred his stake in Ashton Hills to Wirra Wirra Vineyards, with its pedigree in cool climate Adelaide Hills whites and quality McLaren Vale reds. Nonetheless, he continues to reside at his home at the winery and works closely at vintage with the Wirra Wirra winemaking team to continue the tradition of producing benchmark wines from the Ashton Hills site. Winemaking is now in the capable hands of Liam Van Pelt.
“The Ashton Hills winery will always be the heart and soul of the Adelaide Hills wine region. Founder Stephen George set all the benchmarks; his relentless pursuit of myriad grape clones and varieties laid the foundation for the thriving region of today. Ashton Hills has been owned by Wirra Wirra since 2015, though it speaks volumes that Stephen still lives on the property and remains involved in its operation. This has been the most respectful of handovers, best proven by the steady and continued stream of top-tier releases.” Campbell Mattinson for Halliday Wine Companion
About this wine and vintage from the winemakers: “This Chardonnay is sourced exclusively from the Piccadilly Valley sub-region of the Adelaide Hills, home of Ashton Hills. The Piccadilly Valley is the coldest and wettest part of the region, ideal growing conditions for Chardonnay. Ferment was sparked by indigenous yeasts and the wine matured in a combination of new and used French oak for nine months.
“The 2025 vintage was one of the earliest on record across Australia, and the Adelaide Hills was no exception. A warm tail end to winter promoted an early budburst and the continuing warm and dry weather meant that most of the fruit reached ripeness in mid February instead of the typical mid March.
“Ferment was sparked by indigenous yeasts and the wine aged in Burgundian oak both old and new for nine months.
“Lifted white and yellow stonefruits, green melon and white florals mix with preserved lemon, beeswax, greek yoghurt and freshly baked pastries. The fresh and lively palate features white nectarine, green mango and lemon infused yoghurt. The pure acid line is framed with a pithy, phenolic texture that provides a long lasting finish.”
96 points, Tony Love, Wine Pilot “Sourced from three vineyards across the Piccadilly Valley, for many one of the premier Chardonnay growing districts in the Adelaide Hills, this has been fermented in barrel with indigenous yeasts before nine months maturation in both older and new Burgundian oak. Every step here feels like it has been deftly steered to create a beautifully pure expression of the variety in its regional modality. The nose suggests nut creams and white nectarine, oak notes subtle, stone fruits spilling into the palate with a squeeze of lime, a tang of sorbet, a faint suggestion of elderflower with a foundation of refreshing acidity. Everything is in place, in the right balance, drinking delightfully. Spot on.”
94 points, Mike Bennie for Halliday Wine Companion “A very fine, sleek and racy expression of chardonnay, where understatement is a reward. Flint, green apple, lime, cinnamon spice, thyme herbal lift, all bundled up in a dart-shape thrust of energetic, lightweight white wine. A good, chalky pucker to finish. Bright as a button.”
93 points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review “Pretty aromas of just-ripe white stone fruit, grapefruit pith, grilled nuts, spice and a touch of struck flint. Fine and focused, with a drive of citrus, nectarine and tangy acidity. There’s lovely complexity and layers here. Delicious.”
RRP $53 Our Special Price $39.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
