It’s always a pleasure working with Shiraz from two of the Hilltop’s most distinguished vineyards (Freeman and Moppity), side by side, in the winery. Winemaking practices are kept as close as practical, with the intention of highlighting the unique personalities of these vineyards– machine harvested fruit is chilled to tank for a short cold soak period, followed by a warm to hot fermentation, which usually runs for 5 to 7 days. We then press to French oak puncheons, 25% new. Maturation is over 14 months, with the wines racked once prior to blending and bottling.

The 2018 Hilltops Shiraz No.1 is a blend of the Home and Back blocks at the Freeman Vineyard near Prunevale. Low yielding, and growing over heavier soils, we find these blocks naturally deliver bigger flavours and bold tannins, which means we act quickly to take the fruit just on ripeness, aiming to preserve natural acidity and poise.