Clonakilla
2023
Hilltops Shiraz, Clonakilla
View details →£27.45
The SommPills Cellar
Clonakilla
1 wine on the Clonakilla shelf, chosen one at a time.
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Clonakilla
1 wines on the shelf
Clonakilla is one of Australia's leading wine estates, built on a reputation for Shiraz and the distinctive Shiraz/Viognier blend. Through its benchmark cool-climate wines, the winery has become instrumental in establishing the Canberra District's recognition on the international wine stage. Founded by Dr John Kirk in 1971 at Murrumbateman, 40 kilometres north of Canberra, Clonakilla remains a family-run operation where every bottle reflects the producer's commitment to cool-climate winemaking and the philosophy of letting the landscape speak through the wine.
About Clonakilla
Dr John Kirk arrived in Australia in 1968 to work as a researcher in Canberra, but his childhood love of wine—born managing his parents' hotel cellar in County Clare, Ireland—drove him to investigate the region's potential for viticulture. When others dismissed Canberra as too cold for grapes, he planted the first vines at Clonakilla in 1971. His conviction has proven prescient: the cool climate that once seemed a liability became the estate's greatest asset, producing wines of precision and elegance.
Tim Kirk, the fourth of John's six sons, assumed winemaking responsibility in 1997 and transformed the family vineyard into a benchmark for cool-climate Shiraz. After visiting the Rhône Valley in 1991 and tasting Marcel Guigal's Côte-Rôtie blends, Tim introduced the signature Shiraz/Viognier that would define Clonakilla's identity. The blend uses approximately 5% Viognier co-fermented with Shiraz, incorporating 20–30% whole-bunch fermentation before 12 months in French oak (25% new). This approach yields wines displaying the characteristic spice and cracked pepper notes alongside vibrant red berry aromatics—a hallmark of cool-climate fruit treated with restraint and respect. Both the 2022 and 2023 vintages exemplify this style, with characteristic cool-season characteristics producing classic releases of great finesse. The estate's 12-hectare vineyard produces around 2,000 cases of the flagship Shiraz/Viognier annually, and these sell out consistently year after year.
Beyond the estate wine, Clonakilla produces the Hilltops Shiraz from fruit sourced from other growers in the Hilltops region. Forward, accessible and superbly balanced, this wine serves as an entry point to the winery's philosophy while standing as a quality wine in its own right.
Clonakilla Wines in Our Collection
The 2023 Hilltops Shiraz is your starting point with Clonakilla if you want an immediate, approachable expression of the region's potential. Scored 93 points (with scores reaching 95 on Winepilot), this wine delivers the balance and fruit clarity that characterise the producer's work without the complexity demand of the estate Shiraz/Viognier. It's a wine that drinks well now but will age gracefully over five to seven years, making it equally suited to a weeknight dinner or cellaring for a special occasion. The Hilltops designation signals sourced fruit rather than estate-grown, yet Tim Kirk's winemaking hand is evident throughout—the same precision, the same respect for whole-bunch fermentation and measured oak maturation, the same philosophy of giving the landscape voice rather than imposing winemaker ego. If you've tasted Clonakilla before and want to revisit the estate, or if you're curious about what the Canberra District can deliver, this is where to start. The consistent availability of this wine—relative to the flagship—makes it the smart choice for building a relationship with the producer.
Food Pairing
Clonakilla's Shiraz and Shiraz/Viognier pair naturally with roasted game birds, herb-crusted lamb, and beef prepared with pepper or spice. The red-berry character with its spicy, peppery edge works beautifully with charred surfaces and savoury herbs—think duck breast with thyme, venison with juniper, or beef with horseradish. The Viognier's florality also makes these wines work with richer poultry dishes and richly sauced preparations that would overwhelm lighter reds.
Why is Clonakilla known for Shiraz/Viognier?
Tim Kirk introduced the blend in 1992 after visiting the Rhône Valley. He co-ferments about 5% Viognier with Shiraz using whole-bunch fermentation and French oak maturation, creating a signature cool-climate style.
Is Canberra District suitable for growing Shiraz?
Yes. Dr John Kirk established the vineyard in 1971 despite scepticism about the region's cool climate. The cool conditions now produce precise, lifted wines characteristic of quality Shiraz in marginal climates.
What's the difference between Clonakilla's estate Shiraz/Viognier and Hilltops Shiraz?
The estate wine uses fruit from the 12-hectare family vineyard; Hilltops uses sourced fruit from other growers. Both reflect the same winemaking philosophy, but Hilltops is forward, accessible and more immediately approachable.
Who makes Clonakilla wines?
Dr John Kirk founded Clonakilla in 1971 at Murrumbateman, north of Canberra. His son Tim Kirk has led winemaking since 1997. The family-run estate remains committed to cool-climate viticulture across its 12-hectare vineyard.
What style of wine does Clonakilla make?
Clonakilla specializes in cool-climate Shiraz and distinctive Shiraz/Viognier blends, with approximately 5% Viognier co-fermented with Shiraz using whole-bunch fermentation and French oak aging. The 2023 Hilltops Shiraz scored 93 points, showing rich, intense character.
How much does Clonakilla wine cost?
Clonakilla wines at SommPills range between £24.90 and £88.60. The 2023 Hilltops Shiraz offers good entry-level value at £24.90, while the 2019 District Shiraz/Viognier blend is priced at £88.60.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.