Clonakilla
Canberra District, NSW
Clonakilla
isommelier.co/producers/clonakillaClonakilla is the pioneer of Australian cool-climate Shiraz — Tim Kirk's Shiraz Viognier from the Canberra District is a wine that transformed perceptions of what Australian Shiraz could be.
Canberra District, NSW · Biodynamic, Natural, Premium
This profile was automatically generated from public information.
Some details may not be accurate. Are you the owner? Claim this profile to manage your listing.
About Clonakilla
Clonakilla is the pioneer of Australian cool-climate Shiraz — Tim Kirk's Shiraz Viognier from the Canberra District is a wine that transformed perceptions of what Australian Shiraz could be. Inspired by the great co-fermented Syrahs of Côte-Rôtie in the northern Rhône Valley, Kirk's blend of Shiraz with a small portion of white Viognier produces a wine of extraordinary fragrance, elegance and finesse. The Canberra District's cool, high-altitude continental climate gives the wines a precision and energy that sets them apart from warmer-climate Australian Shiraz.
Our Story
Dr John Kirk planted the first Clonakilla vines in Murrumbateman in 1971, making it one of the Canberra District's pioneering estates. The winery rose to national and international prominence under his son Tim Kirk, who joined the business in the 1990s and introduced the co-fermented Shiraz Viognier that became Australia's most celebrated cool-climate red wine.
Farmed biodynamically, the Clonakilla estate benefits from the Canberra District's unique continental climate — hot summer days that ripen fruit fully, cool nights that preserve acidity and fragrance, and an altitude of around 600 metres that extends the growing season. The Shiraz Viognier co-fermentation, a technique borrowed directly from Guigal's legendary single-vineyard La La La wines in Côte-Rôtie, gives the wine its characteristic violet perfume and silky texture. A true benchmark of Australian winemaking ambition.
Signature Wines
Badges & Awards
Claim this profile to add your awards and certifications.
More Producers
Profile last updated: 24 March 2026 (auto-generated)