Clonakilla - Wines
Award-winning, small family winery in Murrumbateman, 40 km North of Canberra. First vines planted in 1971 by John Kirk.
John produced the Canberra District’s first commercial vintage in 1976 – a Riesling Sauvignon Blanc and a Cabernet Shiraz. With the help of his sons, John completed the first winery building in 1977, built by hand, with John Kirk and sons laying the blocks. This original building currently functions as the cellar door.
From 1978 to the present the vineyard has gradually expanded with Shiraz, Riesling and Viognier making up the bulk of the vineyard which now covers 33 acres (13.5 hectares).