ABV 14.5% Clonakilla means meadow of the church and is the name of the founder's grandfathers farm in County Clare, Ireland. Dr John Kirk founded Clonakilla vineyard at Murrumbateman, 40 kilometres north of Canberra, in 1971 after his scientific curiosity led him to question why vines were not being grown in this area. His research showed that the soil and climate seemed suited to certain varieties. In 1997 Tim Kirk, the fourth of John's six sons, took over responsibility for winemaking. Today, Clonakilla is recognised as one of the leading estates in Australia. The grapes for this Shiraz were selected from three vineyards in the Hilltops district around Young in New South Wales, the Canberra District's closest neighbouring wine region. The altitude is marginally lower than Canberra so the grapes tend to come in around two weeks before those grown on the estate. Soils are deep red loams over light clay, giving distinctive black berry and blackcurrant notes to the wine, reminiscent m