Hilltops in New South Wales may be a wine region that flies under the radar, but it isn't one to overlook. Perhaps best known for its olive groves and orchards (it's a top Australian cherry growing region), the fertile soils that make it ideally suited for growing summer fruits also make it ripe for wine production.
The 11 Halliday-rated wineries based in the region offer a wide range of wine styles, from shiraz and cabernet sauvignon to Italian varieties, chardonnay and more.
Below, we spoke to seven producers making wine from the Hilltops region – Ballinaclash, Boydell's, Collector Wines, Corang Estate, Grove Estate Wines, Lambs Valley Wines and MADA – about what makes their wines unique and how best to enjoy them. Think shiraz with mushroom risotto, nebbiolo with braised lamb, or sangiovese with local salumi... delicious!
Ballinaclash
Co-owner Cath Mullany says: I love this wine because it is so approachable. While it is medium bodied, it still displays the complex flavour profile of a classic cool-climate Hilltops shiraz. I also love its versatility, as it complements a variety of foods or can be enjoyed on its own. The block where this shiraz is grown includes some of our oldest vines. This block consistently produces outstanding wines, and all the shiraz wines produced from this block have won awards.
H. What makes this wine unique?
CM. 2021 was a cool year and this wine reflects that particular season’s character in both its brightness and complexity. This was the first medium-bodied shiraz that Ballinaclash produced. We were confident with our big, bold cool-climate shiraz, but very pleasantly surprised by the complexity of this medium-bodied wine. As a result, it has been very well accepted by shiraz lovers, as well as attracting many shiraz converts due to its approachability.
H. How do you approach the winemaking process?
CM. Nestled in the Hilltops region in southern NSW, our family have owned and run Ballinaclash since 1965. We pride ourselves on producing small quantities of single-vineyard wines that reflect the cool climate and red granite soils they were grown in. Our minimal intervention winemaking process continues this authenticity, which results in wines true to their origin.
Wine to try
2021 Ballinaclash Jack Jack Shiraz
Plum and mulberry fruit, subtle dried eucalypt, and baked gingerbread aromas. Flavours of bright, juicy red fruits and pepper, combined with a further developed sweet, toasted vanillin oak profile. Fine, chalky tannins and a lingering, savoury finish.Best enjoyed: Enjoy this wine while sitting on the verandah on a summer’s evening with barbecued lamb. Alternatively, its gingerbread-like aromas and sweet, vanillin oak profile are equally delicious by the fire on a cool Hilltops night, accompanied with roasted poultry or mushroom risotto.
RRP $37 | Drink to 2035+ | Shop this wine | ballinaclash.com.au
Boydell's
Director Daniel Maroulis says: This is the first release for us of this blend. We love the fragrant aromatics of viognier with the richness of Hilltops shiraz; it's such a beautiful partnering. The wine's richness and luxe qualities add a different expression of shiraz to our portfolio. We enjoy the response we receive and are very proud of its success, both with customers and critics.
H. What makes this wine unique?
DM. Not only are the shiraz and viognier co-fermented, they're grown alongside each other in a single vineyard. The site is on the Hilltops ridge line at an altitude of 500m, with deep red granite and clay soils. The ripening conditions are ideal and allow for the perfect expression of both shiraz and viognier.
H. How do you approach the winemaking process?
DM. Crafted by our talented winemaker Liz Silkman (the 2025 Halliday Winemaker of the Year) from cool-climate Hilltops fruit. A quarter of the fruit is handpicked for whole-bunch fermentation, and the remainder is machine harvested, crushed and added to the top of the ferment. During the eight-day fermentation, we hand plunge three times daily to gently extract the rich, deep colour and velvety tannins. Malolactic fermentation and maturation takes place in one- and two-year-old French oak barrels.
Wine to try
2022 Boydell's Reserve Shiraz Viognier
Co-fermented shiraz and viognier. A beautiful mix of richness and freshness with outstanding fruit purity, as frequently seen from vintage 2022. It is beautifully fragrant, with a melange of red and black berries, tensioned by acidity and underpinned by savouriness. An outstanding debut blend. – Toni Paterson MW, Halliday Wine Companion.Best enjoyed: We love sharing this wine with friends and family over dinner at our home on the farm, or at our restaurant in Morpeth paired with chef Michael’s steak of the day or his delicious charcuterie of local cured meats and cheeses.
RRP $47 | Drink to 2035 | Shop this wine | boydells.com.au
Collector Wines
Winemaker Alex McKay says: The Hilltops region is proving it can make some exciting shiraz, and I wanted the chance to push our usual preconceptions of the region and coax out the elegance and charisma of the raw materials we are working with. I couldn’t be happier with the resulting wine.
H. What makes this wine unique?
AM. Hilltops shiraz effortlessly delivers punch and brawn, but the soil and vineyard sites are capable of more. I wanted the chance to show that the Hilltops can produce ethereal, tensioned shiraz.
H. How do you approach the winemaking process?
AM. Harvested in the latter part of March, and early April, parcels were hand-worked with pigéage and rémontage during fermentation, before being pressed to new and seasoned Allier and Tronçais oak.
Wine to try
2022 Collector Wines Cherry Orchard Shiraz
The colour is a fabulous dark purple-red; juicy and tangy fruits a little sweet and sour too. Not a fruity wine as such as there’s a savoury overlay with some jamon-like reduction, woodsy spices and alpine herbs. It feels cool on the medium-bodied palate, furry tannins, and finishes on a high note. – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion.Best enjoyed: While the Cherry Orchard Shiraz is super-approachable now, it will also reward patience in the cellar.
RRP $30 | Drink to 2032 | Shop this wine | collectorwines.com.au
Corang Estate
Owner and winemaker Michael Bynon says: Having been fortunate enough to travel widely, I take inspiration from many wine regions of the world. Il Rosso is our first sangiovese release and I was keen to do something slightly different. Hence, I made a modern, fruit-forward, somewhat ‘Super Tuscan’ style that elevates the savoury characters of the sangiovese with a little chocolatey merlot to fill out the middle palate.
H. What makes this wine unique?
MB. I’ve always been a fan of Italian wines and the Hilltops is a fantastic region for growing many of the classic Italian varieties because of its unique combination of climate, soil and topography. This wine is a blend of 95 per cent sangiovese from Grove Estate vineyard and five per cent merlot from Barwang.
H. How do you approach the winemaking process?
MB. It’s important to me that the wines are a true expression of themselves, of their provenance and of the season. So our winemaking style is hands-off to allow the purity of fruit to shine through. I only select the best fruit from the best vineyards (including our own) and work closely with growers to achieve this.
Wine to try
2023 Corang Estate Il Rosso
Il Rosso means "the red" and this is the producer's answer to a 'Super Tuscan' from the Hilltops. A very enticing light red spills into the glass. Tomato leaf and raspberry, a little fresh tar and roasted capsicum, too. A recital of black tea and cherry pip tannin. This is dangerously easy to drink and carries a finely integrated array of spice, cocoa, anise and clove, finishing earthen with clay and fired-brick flavours. It deserves a recurrent place at the table. – Katrina Butler, Halliday Wine Companion, 93 points.Best enjoyed: In its youth, this wine is medium bodied and very easy to drink. A perfect match for antipasto plates and tomato-based pasta sauces. Great summer drinking for alfresco dining; it should be served cool at around 16°C to maximise its fresh fruitiness and acidity. As the wine ages over the next two to three years it will gain body, weight and complexity and demand richer and more full-flavoured foods.
RRP $30 | Drink to 2030 | Shop this wine | corangestate.com.au
Grove Estate Wines
Co-founder and managing director Brian Mullany says: Grove Estate Wines is a proud family-owned vineyard in the Hilltops region, now in its fourth generation. The unique microclimate here allows us to grow a diverse range of over 30 grape varieties, each reflecting the region’s distinctive terroir. While we produce exceptional wines, we also share our high-quality fruit with other winemakers across Australia, contributing to the broader wine community.
Our wines stand out due to the talent behind them—Tim Kirk (Clonakilla) crafts our Cellar Block Shiraz, while Bryan Martin (Ravensworth) produces our Sommitã Nebbiolo. Their distinct styles showcase our exceptional single-block fruit. Carefully selected oak and the unique Hilltops climate further enhance the character, creating wines that are truly one of a kind.
H. How do you approach the winemaking process?
BM. Our winemaking is a collaborative journey with our winemakers, blending expertise with our vision. We maintain close communication throughout the process, ensuring each wine reflects our vineyard’s character. Hand plunging and extended ferments enhance depth and complexity, allowing the fruit to shine while honouring the unique Hilltops terroir.
Wines to try
2022 Grove Estate Wines Sommitā Nebbiolo
This is a flagship wine. Highly aromatic, as is the way of the variety, with wafts of rose petals, potpourri, boot polish, new leather and warm earth. It’s fuller bodied, doused in sweet red cherries and wood spice with textural/grainy tannins and raspberry-like acidity leaving the palate lively and ready for another sip. – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion.H. What makes this wine unique?
BM. The Sommitã Nebbiolo is a personal favourite for its vibrant fruit and savoury complexity. The way it evolves over time, with its fine tannins and layered flavours, is what excites me. Crafting this wine allows us to highlight the potential of nebbiolo in the Hilltops, producing something that’s elegant and full of character.
Best enjoyed: Our '22 Sommitã Nebbiolo is best enjoyed with rich dishes like braised lamb, wild mushroom risotto or aged cheeses. Serve in a large bowl glass at 16–18°C to enhance its aromas and fine tannins. Perfect for a long lunch or an intimate dinner, this wine shines in cooler seasons, inviting you to savour every sip.
RRP $60 | Drink to 2040 | Shop this wine | groveestate.com.au
2022 Grove Estate Wines The Cellar Block Shiraz
A bolshie red with its savoury outlook dominated by oak in this youthful stage. Dark fruit, peppery and spicy, with cedary wood flavour across the full-bodied palate. Dabs of licorice, musk stick and radicchio also in the mix, with hazelnut-skin-like tannins and juicy acidity to close. – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion.H. What makes this wine unique?
BM. I love the depth and complexity of the 2022 Cellar Block Shiraz. It has a beautiful balance of rich fruit and refined tannins, making it a standout in any collection. Producing this wine allows us to showcase the unique character of our site, resulting in a wine that’s truly special.
Best enjoyed: The 2022 Cellar Block Shiraz is best enjoyed with chargrilled steak, slow-roasted lamb or hard cheeses. Serve at 16–18°C in a large glass to highlight its bold flavours and silky tannins. Perfect for a winter’s night or a lively dinner with friends, this wine offers depth, elegance and a true sense of place.
RRP $40 | Drink to 2040 | Shop this wine | groveestate.com.au
Lambs Valley Wines
Owner and winemaker David MacDougal says: Lambs Valley Wines has been making small-batch, boutique wines in the Hunter Valley since 2019. We partner with Hilltops growers to offer a diverse range of cool-climate wines to complement our estate-grown Chardonnay and Blanc de Blanc.
H. How do you approach the winemaking process?
DM. I like wines to reflect where they are from which, from a winemaking perspective, can take a bit of time to figure out. You kind of need to figure out what the vineyard provides and the best ways to showcase that. That said, I like my wines to be strong – as in they will age well – and I also like delicacy and nuance. But that’s all a work in progress.
Wines to try
2024 Lambs Valley Wines Hilltops Chardonnay
A simple offering yet easy to like and drink. It’s light and bright, not a lot of fruit flavour, a touch of citrus and spice, some new oak bolstering the palate. Zesty acidity, and while it finishes surprisingly short, it’s refreshing. – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion.H. What do you love about this wine, and what makes it unique?
DM. I took a bit of a risk with this wine. I left it unsulfured on lees for four months after ferment. That enabled some great body and texture to develop and I'm really excited with the way it turned out. I love this wine’s drinkability; it’s really nicely balanced. Nothing really jumps at you but it is all there: fruit, winemaking characteristics and subtle but delicious framing oak. The well-integrated acid carries it through.
Best enjoyed: This wine will go with anything from oysters to chicken. Also good with a cheese plate, and I had it with a steak once! It’s very versatile.
RRP $30 | Drink to 2029 | Shop this wine | lambsvalleywines.com.au
2024 Lambs Valley Wines Rosé
Pale pink with some hints of copper in the glass. The nose has macerated strawberry and a cream profile. The palate is bursting with fresh berry and melon fruit flavour, complemented by crisp acidity and generous length.H. What do you love about this wine, and what makes it unique?
DM. I love the colour, I love the nose on this and the mouth-filling palate; it’s really lovely to drink. It's made from shiraz, which is not unusual, but it's 100 per cent tank-fermented and spent time on lees to boost the body. I think that’s what makes this wine unique. It’s a dry wine but appeals to those who like a little sweetness as well.
Best enjoyed: Definitely a crowd-pleaser. Take this straight from the fridge and crack this open on a sunny afternoon with friends over for a barbecue.
RRP $28 | Drink to 2027 | Shop this wine | lambsvalleywines.com.au
MADA
Wines to try
2023 MADA Bit of Heaven Sangiovese
A highly appealing, juicy and oh-so-easy-to-drink sangio. Full of good varietal aromas and flavours – all sweet cherries and pips, florals and Middle Eastern spices, yet super savoury. There’s texture across the barely mid-weighted palate, a neat, sinewy pull to the feathery tannins and lively acidity whooshing through. Delicious. – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion.Winemaker Hamish Young says: You have to love the way this wine jumps in and out of being a firm, powerful and driven wine, and one that's elegant, perfumed and full of energy as it slides across the palate.
I love the power. It’s not light and fluffy, but contains fleshy, bright-fruited texture and is packed with fine, chewy tannin and length. It really invigorates my thirst for exceptional Brunellos.
H. How do you approach the winemaking process?
HY. Sangiovese feels right at home in the rolling hills of southern NSW. Decomposing red granites and moderate yields deliver vibrant fruit. Fermentation management is key with sangiovese. We taste ferments regularly to ensure we achieve a perfect balance between beautiful red fruit characters, and the fine tannins that are synonymous with great sangiovese.
Best enjoyed: Enjoy this at home on a coolish summer's evening, with special friends and your favourite salumi from your local deli.
RRP $40 | Drink to 2035 | Shop this wine | madawines.com.au
2024 MADA Blanc
There's richness here for sure, reined in by a pulsing seam of lemony acidity that propels the wine forward with great velocity. Lemon, white peach and grapefruit with a touch of oatmeal, white flowers, crème fraîche, crushed stone, a whiff of sea spray, nutty oak and gentle spice. Lovely. – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion, 95 points.Winemaker Hamish Young says: I love the energy of this wine. It's so full of aromatics, upfront, juicy mouthfeel and then a lively, focused finish. The wine is unique in just how seamlessly its three varieties come together. It's full of gewürztraminer up front, palate weight from pinot gris and length thanks to the racy riesling. Each variety is clearly present, but exquisitely flows into the next.
H. How do you approach the winemaking process?
HY. A true field blend. We pick once the gewürztraminer is full of the beautiful rose petal and Turkish delight flavours that make the variety so unique. The cool evenings we experience in February ensure we still have fresh, vibrant riesling to give the wine real personality. Destemmed for a 15-hour cold soak before being pressed to steel for fermentation. A little moderate pressings included to add extra texture and a hint of tannin for depth.
Best enjoyed: Enjoy this chilled, out in the sun catching all those late summer rays. No need to overthink this – the bottle will be empty before you know it!
RRP $30 | Drink to 2030 | Shop this wine | madawines.com.au
Top image credit: Grove Estate Wines.
