By Amy Looker, editor – National Liquor News
Wirra Wirra has expanded its footprint in the Adelaide Hills following the purchase of acclaimed Pinot Noir producer, Ashton Hills.
Wirra Wirra has been sourcing cool-climate whites from the Adelaide Hills for over a decade, with managing director Andrew Kay describing the purchase of Ashton Hills the next “logical expansion for the winery”.
“We first made white wines from Adelaide Hills fruit back in 2003 when Greg Trott saw the potential of the cool-climate region, but the red wine opportunity has eluded us until now,” said Kay.
Ashton Hills founder, Stephen George, who established the three hectare, dry grown Ashton Hills vineyard in 1982, will continue to be involved with the Piccadilly Valley winery, staying on as a mentor to the Wirra Wirra winemaking team.
“I’m looking forward to helping them work through a long list of opportunities that I have compiled over the years, that lack of time and resources have prevented me from undertaking as a ‘one man band’,” said George.
Kay said Wirra Wirra would continue to make its own Adelaide Hills range of white wines, but did not rule out launching an expanded offering under the Ashton Hills label.
“Ashton Hills is obviously the benchmark for Pinot Noir, but also produces an exceptional Riesling and wonderful sparkling, so we will see where they can take us and what opportunities this presents,” Kay said.