Having established Hanging Rock Winery in 1983, John and Ann Ellis soon perceived the need for a premium red wine in their portfolio. Once they had decided on Heathcote as the place, and Shiraz as the favoured variety, the Ellis’s challenge was to find the right site.

The first vintage was made in 1987 using fruit from a leased vineyard situated near the Mt Camel range on the ancient, rich, red, Cambrian soil of which Heathcote is famous. Vintages were produced from this vineyard until 1992 when production ceased because the vineyard became unviable due to the effects of salination. A new vineyard was needed. A new vineyard was established in a joint venture with ex Seeker Athol Guy. Known as 'Athol's Paddock', it is situated in the north central part of the region on the eastern slopes of the Mt Camel range, again on the red Cambrian soil. The first vintage from this vineyard was 1997. As with the award - winning wines fron the previous vineyard, Athol's Paddock has proved to be every bit as good - regularly producing award-winning ShirazThe 2000 vintage was significant in the history of Hanging Rock Heathcote Shiraz because it is the first to contain fruit from Heathcote vineyards in addition to our Athol’s Paddock vineyard. The vineyards contributing to the 2000 vintage are, in order of size of contribution * Athol ’s Paddock * Colbinabbin Estate * Original Mt Camel vineyard * Joe Marton vineyard * Merindoc vineyard Another significant feature of this vintage is the first use of ‘steam-bent ’ American oak barriques rather than the previous ‘fire-bent ’barriques. The ‘steam-bent’ barriques impart a gentler, smoother oak character to the wine.
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