Heathcote’s Jasper Hill releases very small numbers of its wines each year, leading many to feverishly buy as many as possible the moment they go on sale. This coming weekend, they will be available to purchase from the team’s own cellar door. Then, come Monday September 1, they'll be available online.
The release includes the 2024 Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz, 2024 Emily’s Paddock Shiraz/Cabernet Franc, 2024 Georgia’s Paddock Nebbiolo, 2025 Georgia’s Paddock Riesling, 2024 Occam’s Razor Shiraz and 2025 Lo Stesso Fiano.
“Jasper Hill wines always speak with a rare individuality. There is quite literally nothing else like them in Heathcote. As the vines turn 50, the natural balance and complexity of flavour that comes with old vines, it’s definitely on display in the latest releases from the 2024 and 2025 vintages,” shares Halliday taster Jeni Port.
The majority of wines in this release hail from the team’s organic dry-grown vineyards in Heathcote – Georgia’s Vineyard and Emily’s Vineyard – named after the daughters of founders Ron and Elva. Emily McNally slowly took over the winery from her parents in recent years, and is now running the operation with her husband and viticulturist Nick, who's taking great care of the 50-year-old organic dry-planted vines.
Emily notes, “After a childhood growing up on Emily’s Paddock, I started making wine with Dad in 2001 – not out of passion, but from a need to be close to family. Over time, this has certainly changed.
“Now, with 25 vintages behind me, I feel deeply connected to our place and the way we craft our wines. Ron and Elva retired in 2022, and my sister Georgia also stepped away to continue her art and university studies. With my husband Nick working by my side, I’m confident we’re well equipped for whatever lies ahead in future years.”
Emily has also ventured beyond her family’s own 50-year-old vineyards to make her own Occam’s Razor Shiraz, with fruit sourced from the north of Heathcote (with cambrian and broken-down basalt soils) and a smaller parcel from near Lake Eppalock (sandstone and quartz soils).
Jeni Port notes, “This is Emily’s first foray into winemaking under her own steam… and while winemaking remains similar to that employed for Jasper Hill shiraz, there is no doubt that the results are very different.
“Occam’s Razor is such a different expression of Heathcote shiraz: savoury, structured, earthy, super ripe, but so capable of not showing that ripeness – rather retaining real elegance. The 2024 is a beauty of a shiraz."
Get to know the new Jasper Hill wines below.
Sign up to view these tasting notes and ratings
By becoming a member of Wine Companion, you'll have access to the largest database of wines in Australia.
Join Halliday Wine Club to drink the very best of Australian wine
Are you an explorer, enthusiast or collector? No matter the Halliday Wine Club plan you choose, each month we'll deliver two bottles of 95+ point wines direct to your door. From $89 per month. You can skip, pause or cancel anytime. Join now.
