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 including chardonnay.
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 and chardonnay.
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: “A limited release chardonnay 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. This wine is a barrel selection, built for power and elegance, the hallmarks of great Chardonnay.
“A complex mix of white peach, lemon peel and sea spray sit alongside savoury cheese rind and cashew nut. Tension and power play off mixing white and yellow stonefruits, with complex toasty elements. The tightly wound palate has flashes of citrus curd and subtle earthy notes creating an alluring and intriguing profile. The detailed and persistent pure acid line drives the wine across the palate for a long and effortless finish. The wine will drink well upon release and reward careful cellaring for 5 years or more. 12.7% alc.”
96 points, Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot “This wine is brought together under a barrel selection program from the best of each vintage, and it comes from the Bauhaus Vineyard and Woods Hill vineyards. Typically well fermented and matured in a combination of new and seasoned Burgundian oak for about nine months. On the nose, there is clearly a more pronounced intensity, even a slight toastiness, with the influence of that wild ferment quite evident, but it’s done quite subtly and presents with a delicate degree of finesse. Just a faint hint of struck match and citrus provides a nice balance to the fruit. The palate is delicate, yet intensely flavoured and delivered with a linear extension. A little touch of quince paste just adds a finishing flourish to a very stylish wine.”
96 points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review “There’s some lovely aromatics going on here: just-ripe white stone fruit, white lily, grilled nuts, melon rind and a whiff of nougat. Textured and mouth-filling, with a drive of pithy, tangy grapefruit, nectarine and nutty oak. There’s plenty of snappy acidity and the length is impressive. Very smart gear.”
95 points, Mike Bennie for Halliday Wine Companion “The subtle nature of the wine is a charm, soft texture, licked at by honey butter and nougat sweet-savouriness, an undertow of red apple, nectarine, slate-like minerality and a cooling thread of brine/saline inflection. It’s got reserve and restraint written into its lore, a distinct finesse, a pleasing persistence. There’s something relaxed and broadly inviting to the wine, too. Proper stuff.”
94+ points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front ““This chardonnay saves its best to last. It starts off restrained and finishes with a powerful, compelling burst. It tastes of tonic water and lemonade, preserved citrus fruits and pears, with grapefruit, cedar, peach and flint as helping hands. It’s as delicious as it is sophisticated; it reveals something extra each time you return. Over coming years it will only get better.”
RRP $102 Our Special Price $84.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine
