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: “The 2025 Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir is a blend of fruit from our managed vineyards as well as selected growers in the Piccadilly Valley that share our grape growing philosophies. The resulting wine benefits from varied fruit character and vineyard expression, while maintaining the fine tannin structure that is typical of the Ashton Hills style.
“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 late February instead of the typical early April.
“Grapes were handpicked, keeping individual clones and vineyards separate in small open fermenters. Some whole bunch fruit (15%) was added to ferments, enhancing aromatics and structural complexity. Fermentation was initiated by indigenous yeast (wild ferment). Each parcel was basket pressed directly to seasoned French oak barriques and puncheons with full solids. All barrels were kept on lees to build palate weight, body, texture and complexity. They were racked and blended just prior to bottling.
“Red cherries, strawberry and raspberry compote leap from the glass. Lifted florals and a hint of green pepper spice from the whole bunch fermentation sit in the background. PALATE A delicious mix of strawberry, dark cherry and plum wash over the palate which is framed with fresh acidity and fine tannins. The juicy fruit profile is interwoven with subtle earthy notes to enhance complexity and depth.”
95 points, Mike Bennie, Halliday Wine Companion “A striking release for its depth, finesse, savoury elements, spice and woody, autumnal characters. All bundled up so well, too. Dark cherry, dried leaves, bay leaf, game meat, pepper and clove, aniseed and fennel. Yes thanks. It sits at medium to fuller weight on the palate but delivers massively satisfying freshness after the generous slosh of the wine. So, too, a web of silty tannins makes for shape and length. Seriously good.”
93 points, Tony Love, The Wine Pilot “Ashton Hills has established an enviable reputation in the world of Pinot Noir, South Australia’s most revered producer in that field, sourcing from its home territory of the high altitude Piccadilly Valley in the Adelaide Hills. This first step into their portfolio takes in fruit from several vineyards, while its Estate and Reserve iterations are solely from its own blocks. 2025 was a warmer ripening season so the aromas and flavours are well expressed, earthly and minerally, cherry crush, tonic bitters, spicy peppery and mouthwatering. Winemaker Liam Van Pelt suggests the PV Pinot is not one to ponder too deeply – it’s the Ashton Hills wine for pure pleasure. Agreed.”
93 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front “This does more than scratch the itch. But for all of its structure and balance – and undergrowth-driven complexity – this really does have Drink Me written all over it. It’s cherried and earthen, spicy and sweet-sour, with both sinewy tannin and a well-judged plushness to its texture. Toasty oak comes through as whispers at most, and everything just feels in excellent good order. It’s well sustained too. Yes please. This is very good.”
RRP $53 Our Special Price $39.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
