Mount Bellarine Shiraz
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
roasted lamb shanks, grilled ribeye steak, aged Cheddar cheese
✨ Technical Specifications
The Mount Bellarine Shiraz is a compelling expression of cool-climate viticulture, shaped by the unique maritime terroir of the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria. Grown on ancient, self-draining black volcanic soils over limestone, the vines are constantly cooled by moderating ocean breezes from Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait. This temperate environment slows ripening, allowing the Shiraz grapes to develop intense, complex flavor profiles while retaining a vibrant natural acidity. Crafted using traditional winemaking techniques, including fermentation in open-top vessels and maturation in select French oak hogsheads, this wine reflects a style reminiscent of the Northern Rhône—elegant, savory, and deeply aromatic, far removed from the heavier, jammy profiles of Australia's warmer inland wine regions. It stands as a testament to the region's rich geological history and its suitability for producing world-class, structured cool-climate reds.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1982 by David and Vivienne Browne on an erstwhile dairy farm, Scotchmans Hill stands as the pioneer and quintessential benchmark estate of Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula within the Geelong wine region. Perched atop the peninsula's extinct volcanic outcrop, the vineyards benefit from fertile black basaltic clays over limestone subsoils, complemented by maritime microclimates moderated by Port Phillip Bay and the Southern Ocean. Under the stewardship of long-tenured Chief Winemaker Robin Brockett, who joined the fold in 1988, the estate champions low-intervention viticulture certified under Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Brockett's cellar philosophy prioritizes site-driven purity, native fermentations, sensitive French oak integration, and extended lees maturation. Scotchmans Hill produces distinguished cold-climate expressions, most notably its flagship Estate and Cornelius Chardonnay, tactile Pinot Gris, and estate Sauvignon Blanc, alongside celebrated regional ventures like the Henry Frost Riesling and approachable Jack & Jill tiers.
🍇 Grapes
Shiraz