Ross Hill Wines

Owned by the Robson and Jones families. Chardonnay, merlot, sauvignon blanc, cabernet franc, shiraz and pinot noir have been established on north-facing, gentle slopes at an elevation of 800m. No insecticides are used in the vineyard, the grapes are hand-picked and the vines are hand-pruned. The arrival of Phil Kerney from the Mornington Peninsula is significant, as is the increase from 12ha to just over 18ha of estate vineyards, production increasing from 300 dozen to its present level. Ross Hill also has an olive grove with Italian and Spanish varieties. The onsite winery, opened in time for the 2009 vintage, has also had a major impact. JAMES HALLIDAY