Bannockburn
Bannockburn’s Michael Glover is one of the most intelligent and questioning winemakers of Australia’s younger generation, working with dry-grown, hand harvested vines in Geelong’s intriguing volcanic soils and sometimes challenging climate. ANDREW JEFFORD
Since its establishment by Stuart Reginald Hooper in 1974, Bannockburn Vineyards has been at the vanguard of the Australian fine wine story, producing vineyard specific wines of the highest quality from the start. Lying 25 kilometres northwest of Geelong along the Midland Highway, this heavyweight estate is located in the Moorabool Valley sub-region, just outside the township of Bannockburn.
The estate comprises 26 vineyard blocks – including the iconic Serré vineyard (now the site of Australia's oldest close-planted Pinot Noir vines) – planted to seven grape varieties, of which Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz form the key quintet. Here, Bannockburn’s predominantly mature vines are rooted in one of Victorias’ most unique low-fertility terroirs; volcanic surface debris and ancient sea beds running to richer and darker soils, layered over predominantly limestone bedrock.
Following almost a decade under the steam train of energy and passion that was Michael Glover, Matt Holmes is the winemaker charged with writing the next chapter of this singular estate. This calmly spoken winemaker – who has almost thirty vintages under his belt making wine in North America, New Zealand, Italy and France – has already showed himself to be far from intimidated by the legacy he has inherited at Bannockburn. Holmes is overseeing some careful evolution in both vineyard and winery and now, with the wines he has made beginning to come on tap, we’re starting to get a better insight into the future of Bannockburn.
Bannockburn’s future looks very bright indeed.
Since its establishment by Stuart Reginald Hooper in 1974, Bannockburn Vineyards has been at the vanguard of the Australian fine wine story, producing vineyard specific wines of the highest quality from the start. Lying 25 kilometres northwest of Geelong along the Midland Highway, this heavyweight estate is located in the Moorabool Valley sub-region, just outside the township of Bannockburn.
The estate comprises 26 vineyard blocks – including the iconic Serré vineyard (now the site of Australia's oldest close-planted Pinot Noir vines) – planted to seven grape varieties, of which Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz form the key quintet. Here, Bannockburn’s predominantly mature vines are rooted in one of Victorias’ most unique low-fertility terroirs; volcanic surface debris and ancient sea beds running to richer and darker soils, layered over predominantly limestone bedrock.
Following almost a decade under the steam train of energy and passion that was Michael Glover, Matt Holmes is the winemaker charged with writing the next chapter of this singular estate. This calmly spoken winemaker – who has almost thirty vintages under his belt making wine in North America, New Zealand, Italy and France – has already showed himself to be far from intimidated by the legacy he has inherited at Bannockburn. Holmes is overseeing some careful evolution in both vineyard and winery and now, with the wines he has made beginning to come on tap, we’re starting to get a better insight into the future of Bannockburn.
Bannockburn’s future looks very bright indeed.
