2019 Clonakilla Shiraz Viognier Canberra

The story of Clonakilla dates back to 1971 when John Kirk planted his first vines. Little did he know that this vineyard which started as a weekend hobby, one day would become one of the most celebrated wineries in the entire country.

The estate comprises 44 acres near Murrumbateman, 24 miles north of Canberra, where the soils consist of sandy clay loams over a base of decomposed granite. It was 5 years later, that Kirk released his first wines to the public, and some years after, the winery started to receive numerous trophies and high accolades.

In 1991, Kirk created the rare Rhone-inspired wine, what would eventually become the estate’s flagship wine, a unique blend of Shiraz and Viognier. He thought, “Murrumbateman (the region) and Shiraz are one of those rare combinations in the world of wine that can produce something truly exciting.”

Upon its release, this wine quickly became the talk of the town, and a critic’s favorite: Winemaker Gerald Atkinson said this was “without doubt one of the finest Canberra District reds I have ever seen. An absolute stunner.” Australian wine writer James Halliday said this is “an icon wine, one of the best in Australia.” Wine writer, Jeremy Oliver, listed it among his “Perfect 1s.” Wine specialist Andrew Caillard said this was “one of the most important advances in the development of Australian Shiraz since the release of 1952 Penfolds Grange Hermitage”.

High reviews didn’t stop there, in 1999, the wine was named “New South Wales Wine of the Year” by the NSW. In 2003, it was featured as “one of Australia’s top ten Shiraz” by Gourmet Traveller Wine. In 2005, the wine appeared in the “Top 10 Australian wines produced in the last 10 years” by Australian Financial Review Magazine. In 2006, it was named “Wine of the Year” by Max Allen. In 2009, it was recognized as the “Top Shiraz” by Penguin Good Wine Guide. In 2011, it was awarded for the second time “Wine of the Year” by Jeremy Oliver’s Australian Wine Annual… this is just to name a few of the recognitions this wine has had over the years.  

Famous wine judge, Ralph Kyte-Powell said this is “consistently one of Australia’s best red wines, maybe the best.”

This Shiraz Viognier is without a doubt one of the most celebrated wines in the entire country. A benchmark in Australia’s top-quality wines. The grapes are carefully selected from the best vineyards of Shiraz and Viognier from the Murrumbateman vineyard. The result is pure magic.

Aging: 18 months in French barriques.