About Us
The Ross Hill Wines roots were firmly planted in 1994 by Peter and Terri Robson. Joined by their son James and wife Chrissy in 2006 to continue the hard work, passion and dedication to produce exceptional quality and elegantly refined, cool climate Ross Hill Wines.
Adding to the family tree in 2007 was Greg and Kim Jones. With a great appreciation for wine already existing their passions to enter the wine industry were met with the opportunity to join the Ross Hill Wines family. Based in Sydney, their love for the Orange Region has certainly continued to flourish even more.
The newest buds on the tree are wine making duo Phil and Rochelle Kerney who joined the family in 2008. Phil brings with him 15 years of wine making experience both in Australia and Internationally. His talents have also been recognised as a 5 Red Star recipient from James Halliday for the last 3 years. Rochelle has been by Phil’s side through much of his winemaking journey and is herself working towards her own qualification as a winemaker. The Kerney’s have brought with them an enormous amount of passion, care and knowledge of wine and the winemaking process, which fits perfectly into our family mould.
2009 is the first presentation of Ross Hill Wines where the suite of wines is entirely the product of Phil Kernery. Judging by the high level of interest and the amount of awards and recognition already building it is sure to be a terrific vintage!
The Ross Hill Vineyard is situated on the gentle north
facing slopes of Griffin Rd, Orange at an elevation ranging from 750 to
850 metres. Such elevation presents its self in our wines that are so
distinctively high altitude and cool climate produce.
Covering the hills with 12 hectares (ha) of established vine
we are able to grow the majority of the grapes used in our wines. Ross
Hill white wine varieties include Chardonnay & Sauvignon Blanc, and
the iconic red styles of Merlot, Shiraz and Cabernet Franc, Cabernet
Sauvignon and Cabernet Shiraz.
To complement the Ross Hill vineyard was the recent planting
in 2008 of 5 more hectares of vine in the fertile volcanic basalt soils
at Wallace Lane. With an even higher altitude at 1080 metres above sea
level, it is one of the highest and coldest vineyards in Australia.
These vines of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir will be ripe
for release and drinking in 3 years time which we look forward to
presenting to you.
All 17ha of vine are handled with the utmost care by being
hand pruned to maintain the exceptional quality and flavour that carry
through to our wines. We pride ourselves on our quality not the
quantity.
Our environmental policy sees no use of insecticides and
reduced irrigation impact by a program of mulching cover crops planted
between the rows between autumn and winter.
With a dream to pick our grapes and make our wines in
Orange, together with the Jones’s we set out to seek a location that
could offer the space for a winery infrastructure as well as the
appropriate soil and conditions for our vines to maintain our signature
cool climate characteristics in the wines.
Our dreams were met with the purchase of the Wallace Lane
facility. Previously an old apple packing shed it was the perfect fit
for a modern new winery. With its 2400m2 shed and 4 temperature
controlled rooms ideal for storing both fruit and juice, the rest of the
space could be utilised as barrel rooms and front section as a generous
space for cellar door activity. Although the old rattler serviced us
well for so many years, we’re sure you will enjoy the new cellar door
space.
The winery was also fitted with the custom design and
technology that best compliments Phil Kerney’s winemaking methods.
The first vintage produced the equivalent of 320 tonnes for Ross Hill Wines and 6 local contract clients.
We look forward to showing you around, we’re sure you will be impressed...
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