18/02/2026
Virgin Hills was planted by Tom Lazar in 1968 in what was considered at the time a bold, almost radical move.
He worked with Owen Redman in Coonawarra and then created a series of famous wines in the early to mid-70’s that stamped the vineyard’s reputation with greatness.
Today the site is being treated with tender loving care and parts of the vineyard, previously “let go” are being rejuvenated.
These wines we are offering here were made by guru Matt Harrop (also ex-Curly Flat, and prior, Shadowfax).
2024 Heritage Red
RRP: $40 | Offer: $34 | 6 Pack: $29
It’s 46% cabernet, 23% shiraz, 21% malbec and 10% merlot and for such a “coolish” site, it shows no greenness; on the contrary it’s a ripe and classy, fleshy wine with an inner core of fruit and complexity from the old vines. There is blue and red berry, fleshy fruit with a morish caressing, supple tannins. Only 18% new oak was used within the mix of barriques, hogsheads and larger format casks.
2024 Syrah
RRP: $35 | Offer: $27 | 6 Pack: $25
This red proudly displays a vibrant youthful colour, subtle florals, crushed ripe blueberry and red berry fruit, hints of peppery spice-box, dark cherry and it has absolutely swallowed all of the 30% new oak used in its maturation. It is from the old ’68 plantings and it shows the old-vine depth and graceful power. This is coolish-climate shiraz, even though it can easily be enjoyed now, it has inherent ageability, and decades should not trouble it.
2024 Chardonnay
RRP: $28 | Offer: $25.90 | 6 Pack: $24.90
Perhaps not surprisingly it shares a similar style and line to Curly Flat insomuch that it has a cool, lithe and ripe Chablis undertone even though it is 100% barrel fermented. It’s not green nor unripe, in fact it has brioche, ripe nectarine and pear fruit, but its clean and tangy. There is only 1 older barrel (300lt) made so just 33 doz in total! This is viticulture “on the edge”, in 2025 the deer ate all the chardonnay crop! This is from ’93 and ’95 plantings so the vines have nice maturity which shows in the poise and nice balance of this chardonnay. What a surprisingly bargain-priced white!
