Hilltops
A cool, elevated plateau in the south of NSW where Shiraz, Cabernet, and Riesling grown at 400 to 500 metres produce wines of surprising structure and elegance: Hilltops is the region serious NSW drinkers know about and most Sydney visitors haven't found yet.
Experiences
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We are continually curating new experiences. Check back shortly as we expand our presence in this region.
The Dossier
Hilltops is centred on Young, 390km southwest of Sydney: about 4 hours via the Hume Freeway and Burley Griffin Way. Young is the cherry capital of Australia; the drive through the orchards in spring is one of the reasons to time a wine visit carefully. The region pairs naturally with Canberra District (90 minutes south) for a two-day southern tablelands circuit. Accommodation in Young is functional; the cellar doors are the reason to come.
Harvest runs late March through May: the elevation keeps temperatures lower than the surrounding plains and produces a longer, more considered growing season. Spring (September to October) is spectacular in Young: the Cherry Blossom Festival draws visitors from Sydney and the cellar doors are fully operational. Autumn is the quieter, more personal window: harvest activity in the vineyards, cool air, and roads that carry a fraction of the spring traffic.
Shiraz from the Hilltops plateau has a medium-weight, savoury character that sets it apart from the richer Hunter and Riverina styles: more structured, more textured, and more interesting to serious wine drinkers. Cabernet and Riesling also perform well at this elevation. Barwang is the best-known producer; Grove Estate and Freeman Vineyards are the names to know among those who have dug deeper into the region. The food scene in Young is limited but the cherries, stone fruits, and local honey from the orchard country surrounding the wineries are the real produce story.