Jasper Hill (NSW & SA)

Established in 1975 by Ron and Elva Laughton, Jasper Hill producers some of Australia’s most compelling and sought after wines. Located at Heathcote in Central Victoria on ancient Cambrian soils-deep, red coloured, well drained gravely loams on undulating hillsides. These support low-vigour vine growth without the need for supplementary irrigation.

The wines are produced entirely on the estate using organic and biodynamic principles. Inter row mulching and organic compost are used to improve soil organic matter. This allows greater bio-diversity in micro flora and fauna, supporting large earthworm populations beneficial for natural soil fertility. Following these principles no synthetic chemicals have ever been applied to the soils or vines. Vines are grown on their own roots (ungrafted) and are not irrigated, expressing flavours and characteristics natural to their variety and terroir. Grown at elevations of 1000 feet the vines benefit from warm days but cool nights, imperative for natural acid retention and structure. None of the wines from Jasper Hill vineyards has even been acid adjusted at any stage. These are natural wines of striking purity. With more than 35 vintages to their credit, these wines have a long established record for ageing gracefully with careful cellaring.

Emily's Paddock: three hectares of Shiraz including around five percent Cabernet Franc, yielding about two tonnes per hectare (14hl/ha). Planted in 1975/76.

Georgia's Paddock: 12 hectares of Shiraz yielding about three tonnes per hectare (20hl/ha). Three hectares of Riesling giving about three tonnes per hectare (20hl/ha). Planted in 1975/76 with further small plantings done after the vineyard was ravaged by bushfire in 1987. One hectare each of Semillon planted in 1992 (since grafted over), and Nebbiolo planted in 1993 to numerous different clones of Nebbiolo that were imported into Australia and after quarantine were planted out to give a very diverse selection in the vineyard.

Lo Stesso: this small planting (less than 1 hectare) of Fiano is located very close to the winery at the southern end of Georgia’s Paddock. The wine is made by Emily and Georgia Roberts and in the early years came from another vineyard in Heathcote from purchased fruit, though the portion of purchased fruit has reduced in recent years. Partially fermented in used oak and bottled relatively early (under stelvin) to retain freshness. This shows the signature intensity and texture so typical of fruit that one finds from Georgia’s Paddock.

Current Releases

‘In the world of grape growing and winemaking, time flies by swiftly. Once again, I find myself eagerly writing to you about our new wines.

Being vignerons we are subject to the increasingly unpredictable whims of nature. The growing season leading into vintage 2023 posed many challenges with heavy storms at regular intervals. Rain is a mixed blessing for our dry grown vineyards; too little stresses our vines, while too much complicates vineyard maintenance. Over the season, Nick diligently monitored major downpours and soil moisture levels to minimise tractor impact on our delicate soils. High disease pressure made timely spraying of organic copper and sulphur crucial to protect new growth from mildew. Our decision to harvest early yielded beautiful clean fruit, resulting in wonderfully bright wines with generous acidity. These wines will be enjoyable young but also have the potential for long term cellaring should you choose.

For us, happiness is a full winery and vintage 2023 was generous. We had an abundance of aromatic tanks, brimming with wine. Grapes happily fermented with their natural yeasts and overall this vintage was noticeably busy, which makes for a very enjoyable experience. Our Emily’s Paddock Shiraz Cabernet Franc, which is always hand picked in one day, has produced some outstanding complexity and was a joy to watch come together during the 12 months in French oak barriques. The Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz, hand picked over multiple days, offers ample fruit and a velvety touch typical for the vineyard site. The 2024 harvest shared similar climatic conditions to those in 2023, and with a bounty of Riesling and Fiano, we have two energetic white wines to include in this release.’ Emily McNally, July 2024.

2024 Lo Stesso Fiano Screw-cap sealed.
'A blend of 50% estate grown fruit and 50% purchased regional fruit, fermented in a combination of new French oak and stainless steel. Pale yellow colour. Subtle fruit aromas and a palate of pear, citrus and honey, finishing with waxy hazelnut and spice. Over time this luscious wine develops quince and baked apple flavours with enough natural acid to balance the viscous, textured mouthfeel. Ready to enjoy now. Screw-cap sealed.’ Emily McNally, July 2024.

2024 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Riesling
‘Brilliant yellow colour with the usual aromatic citrus notes. Occasional lees stirring during fermentation gives a weighted riesling with a long finish. Think lemon in all its form, juice, zest and pith. Underlining limes and slight peachy fruit characters, finishing with a hint of viscosity. A wine to drink now but the natural zingy acidity gives this wine long lasting potential. Screw-cap sealed.’ Emily McNally, July 2024.

2023 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz
‘Reminiscent of our wines in the early years, a true Georgia’s Paddock style of raspberry with red earth notes and soft integrated tannins. While this vintage initially appears a little closed, given a few minutes, opens up to a brilliant red fruit and spicy nose. Juicy strawberries and fresh raspberry fill a generous palate with great length. Delicious now but easily cellared for those with patience. High grade cork sealed.’ Emily McNally, July 2024.

2023 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Nebbiolo
‘Superbly aromatic with wonderful perfume of roses, rhubarb, plums and anise spice. Tannins galore on the palate with up front plums, cherry and vanilla bean followed by chary oak and leather. Enjoyable now but cellar this wine to enjoy its full potential. High grade cork sealed.’ Emily McNally, July 2024.

2023 Jasper Hill Emily’s Paddock Shiraz
‘Full bodied, yet very approachable, Emily’s keeps on giving. Brilliant magenta in colour, this wine will stain. Intense dark fruits of cherry, raspberry and plum, followed through with a hint of mint and dark chocolate. Structured chalky tannins and balanced natural acidity allows this wine to be cellared. High grade cork sealed.’ Emily McNally, July 2024.

2023 Occam's Razor Shiraz
‘Grapes from Colbinabbin, mid-north of the Heathcote region, blended together with a smaller parcel from near Lake Eppalock. Harvested early to capture a great fresh feel. Crimson colour, savoury nose with a bouquet of spices and an underlying plum and raspberry palate, soft integrated tannins finishes this wine. A Shiraz made to be enjoyed now. High grade cork sealed.’ Emily McNally, July 2024.

Previous Vintages (small quantities available of some previous vintages)

2022 Jasper Hill Emily’s Paddock Shiraz
’Wow! Elva’s pick of the six. A classic, perfumed, Emily’s Paddock. Layers of flavour; flint, spice, mint, toasty oak wrapped up in dark and brooding black and blue fruits. Soft, velvety tannins that coat your palate, great length and with fabulous longevity if you can wait, but equally delicious now. 1 by 1 branded cork-taint-free cork sealed, 15.0% alcohol.’ Emily McNally.

‘The stunning and unique 2022 Emily's Paddock, a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Franc, delivers a beguiling nose of graphite, blackcurrant and blackberry, showing power and grace. Beautifully pitched, classically proportioned and firmly structured, with a super energy and shape, this will deliver for decades to come. Drink 2030-2052.’ 97 points, Angus Hughson, Vinous, November 2024.

’Dark, inky and opaque in the glass. Deep, brooding aromas of graphite, ferrous earth, florals, smoked meats, spice and pepper. Full bodied, rich, mouth-filling and multi-faceted. Very pure and dark fruit driven with real depth, presence and purity. The tannins are firm, textured and deliver shape and savouriness and the acidity has brightness and lift. A compelling shiraz, with power and precision. Drink 2023-2038’. 96 points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review, August 2023.

2022 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz
’We’re back, this time Georgia’s got no friends. It has everything you want from a typical Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz. Powerful yet elegant, well rounded red and black fruits, fabulous spice with soft subtle tannins that extend through the whole palate. Cellar or drink now, your choice. 1-by-1 branded cork-taint-free cork sealed, 15.5% alcohol.’ Emily McNally.

‘The punchy 2022 Georgia's Paddock delivers a juicy core of black cherry, plump blackberry and warm slate topped by dark chocolate and supported by a well-integrated French oak backbone. This wine has a good heart and soul, although it starts a little wild before settling with a dense core of fine tannins perfectly placed with intense and broody dark berry flavors. Harmonic, supple and approachable, yet with deep set tannins and time on its side. This really came together after a couple of days, so it needs some time in bottle to show its best. Drink 2028-2040.’ 95 points, Angus Hughson, Vinous, November 2024.

’A pretty and intense nose of blackcurrants, anise and violets. At first, it doesn't give away much, it's very composed and stealthy in its expression. With air, hints of iodine, pepper and bush spices arise. A bomb of flavour explodes on the palate—black olives, violets and sweet spices are framed by powdery tannins. The tannin quality is a stand-out, it's so fine yet long and sleek. This is ripe and full-bodied yet everything is perfectly jigsawed into place, nothing seems forced. In its youth, It's a touch apprehensive to reveal all, but this is a wine meant for aging. Palate staining, formidable stuff. Drink 2023-2035.’ 96 points, Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review, August 2023.

2021 Jasper Hill Georgia + friends Shiraz rated #18 in James Suckling top 100 wines of Australia 2022
“Georgia’s Paddock grapes once again supplemented with grapes grown by friends within the Heathcote region, this years wine follows on with a fresh indulgent approach to a wine worth savouring. Vibrant magenta colour with a rich dark berry nose. Fabulous hit of fresh red fruits, a spicy luscious mouth feel and great more-ish length. Cellar or drink now, your choice. 1-by-1 branded cork-taint-free cork sealed, 15.0% alcohol” Emily McNally

‘What a deep and complex briar and spicy nose this exceptional Heathcote shiraz has! Cloves and crushed slate with gun metal. Very complex fine grained tannins and great mineral freshness drive this over the palate and off into the distance. Excellent ageing potential. Drink or hold.’ 97 points, Jamessuckling.com, October 2022.

‘Some wines just have that extra spread, that extra run, and this is one of them. Blackberry, coal, cloves, meaty spice and floral elements combine to dramatic effect here, but it's the persistence of the finish and the integrated grain of the tannin that really brings on the wow. Jasper Hill and their 'friends' can be rightfully proud of this release. Drink 2025-2035.’ 95 points, Campbell Mattinson, James Halliday Wine Companion, July 2023.

2019 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz - SOLD OUT
“Very typical depth of bright crimson to the edge. Immediate, powerful nose of red and black berry fruits that follow through into the palate, with mixed spice highlights complemented by the usual ripe, sweet dark cherry and plum flavours and a cola / chinotto finish, so typical of Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz. Fabulous tannin / acid balance conferring longevity, but imminently approachable now, particularly with a rare steak. Alcohol 15.5%” Ron Laughton + Emily McNally

2018 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz - SOLD OUT
“Vibrant magenta colour typifies this wine as a classic Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz from a great vintage. Always delicious and approachable upon release, backed up by great cellaring ability if you wish. Ripe red raspberry and blackberries, purple plums and very complex spiciness fills the big palate that follows through on to the characteristic, supple yet assertive tannic finish, balanced by impeccable, racy natural acidity. The 15.5% alc/vol is so well balanced it doesn’t show!” Ron Laughton + Emily McNally
“Inky purple. Deep-pitched black and blue fruit and floral scents develop licorice, violet, vanilla and exotic spice nuances. Impressively concentrated yet energetic blackberry, kirsch, singed plum and licorice flavours are supported by an undercurrent of juicy acidity. Finishes extremely long and chewy, with steadily building tannins and reverberating floral and spice notes.”
96 points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media, September 2022

2017 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz - SOLD OUT
“A fabulous, typical example from this single vineyard that from it’s pristine crimson colour and leading, full aroma, exhibits the characteristic flavours of dark berries, ripe red fruits and  complex exotic spices that lead into a supple tannic palate beautifully balanced with abundant natural acid. Maybe a little more forward than the 2015 and 2016, it will still cellar for a long time if you wish. 15% Alc.” Ron Laughton.

2016 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz - SOLD OUT
“Medium deep crimson. Intense elderberry, blackberry aromas with praline, espresso notes and hints of roasted chestnuts. Well concentrated blackberry pastille, praline flavours, fine chocolaty tannins and underlying roasted chestnut, savoury oak complexity. Finishes chocolatey with attractive bitter mineral length. Elemental with some liquorice notes. 15.5% Alc 94 points – 2020-2035” Andrew Caillard MW
“The 2016 Georgia's Paddock Shiraz shows a brighter, fruitier side to this wine, featuring raspberries and blueberries on the nose and palate. It still has those dark underpinnings of black olive and espresso, but it dresses them up this year with brighter, fresher fruit, adding a different layer of interest. It's full-bodied and richly textured, with a long, layered finish that suggests well over a decade of aging potential. It's yet another superlative offering from the Laughton family.” 95 points, Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, June 2018

2015 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz - SOLD OUT
“From another great vintage, with 12 months elevage in French oak barriques, of which 20% were new. Exhibiting the typical characters of mixed red berries and general spiciness to the velvety, viscous, well-balanced and rounded palate. Powerful wine, with fine, supple tannins and a fabulous length. Great longevity again, but regardless, this will immediately appear on wine lists matched to grilled red meats without any detriment. 15.0% alc/vol.” Ron Laughton.
“A big, rich wine, the 2015 Georgia's Paddock Shiraz offers deep, earthy notes of black olive and espresso that complement the blackberry and plum fruit. There's a hint of menthol that helps lift the wine and avoid any undue sense of heaviness—a notable accomplishment in a wine that's labeled at 15% alcohol. Full-bodied and velvety in texture, complex and long, with two decades of aging potential, there's simply nothing to criticize here.” 96 points, Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, June 2018
“Medium deep crimson. Fresh dark cherry, blackberry herb garden aniseed aromas with espresso notes. Inky textured wine with lovely ripe dark cherry, blackberry fruits, slinky fine chalky tannins, underlying savoury nuances and bitter chinotto-like finish. Elegantly styled wine with lovely aromatic complexity and vigour. 2022-2038. 15% Alc.” 95 points, Andrew Caillard MW, August 2017.

2014 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz - SOLD OUT
“Another classic, of deep crimson colour, intense aromas of red berries and mixed spices that follow through on to the palate, balanced with powerful but already supple tannins and fabulous natural acidity. Delicious - drink any time from now over the next twenty years. 15.0% alc/vol” Ron Laughton.
“Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2014 Shiraz Georgia's Paddock gives pronounced black forest cake, prunes and blackberry preserves nose with hints of anise, sandalwood, baking spices and espresso. Packed with full-bodied opulence in the mouth, the tannins are ripe and velvety while the finish is effortlessly harmonious. Love it.” 94+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate, October 2016

2013 Jasper Hill Georgia’s Paddock Shiraz - SOLD OUT
“Bright purple in colour to the rim, with its typical flavours of rich mixed spices and sweet, ripe red plummy fruits. Plush, chocolatey mocha characters and fabulous natural acidity paired to powerful, supple tannins confers great longevity, but why wait? 14.5% alc/vol” Ron Laughton.
“Deep purple-black in color, the 2013 Shiraz Georgia's Paddock has a broody nose of crushed blackcurrants, black plums and warm blackberries with hints of star anise, dark chocolate and Szechuan pepper. Rich, voluptuous and full-bodied in the mouth, it is far from "heavy" and offers great freshness to juxtapose the concentrated flavors while the approachable, rounded tannins contribute velvety texture through the long finish.” 93+ points, Lisa Perrotti-Brown, The Wine Advocate, February 2015