Bannockburn Vineyards was established by Stuart Hooper in 1974. His vision was to create a vineyard which would produce Australian wine of a quality to emulate the great wines of France, in particular the great Burgundies. Stuart Hooper had a purist, uncompromising approach to quality grape growing and winemaking. He had a strong belief in making wines which genuinely reflect the flavours of the vineyard.

Although Stuart has since passed away, Bannockburn Vineyards remains in the Hooper family and his philosophy remains as the cornerstone behind all we do at Bannockburn today. 

The estate bottling was made from fruit grown across all vineyard sites; Olive Tree Hill, Winery Block, Stuart Block & Kelly Lane. The oldest vines planted in 1976, through to the most recent 2016 planting. This wine has consistently been rated as one of Australia’s best Chardonnays, reflecting the ideal combination of limestone soils, cool climate and mature vines.

This is a hard yes. It’s both flavoursome and frisky, it’s long through the finish, it has texture but it keeps up the momentum. Stonefruit, flint, nashi pear, a umami note and flashes of nougat and cedar. Everything here is in alignment and in harmony. It’s another beautiful chardonnay from Bannockburn. Date: May 2025; Alcohol: 13%; Price: $75; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2026-2034; Rated: 95 Points; Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front