Murdoch Hill is the Adelaide Hills label of brothers Michael and Andrew Downer, made from a gum-dotted family farm beside Oakbank. The Downer family has farmed around Oakbank since 1939, and their parents Julie and Charlie Downer planted the first vines in 1998. That year a little Sauvignon Blanc was made under winemaker Brian Light, and 2023 marked the 25th vintage.
The two estate vineyards are farmed holistically, without herbicides or pesticides and with only organic fungicides. In the winery, Michael uses wild yeasts and gentle extraction without additions, so vineyard character and region come through. The range is approachable and adventurous, from estate Syrah such as the Orion and Landau to Lenswood wines including the Apollo and the Rocket Chardonnay.
The Oakbank Tasting Room, a cosy space with a sunny deck, is open Thursday to Tuesday.
- Visiting
- Open to visitors
- Address
- 260 Mappinga Rd, Oakbank SA 5243
- Founded
- 1998
- Winemakers
- Michael Downer
Visit the Murdoch Hill website
Regions
Wines
- Murdoch Hill - Adelaide Hills Rosé — Rosé
- Murdoch Hill Adelaide Hills Cabernet Sauvignon — Red
- Murdoch Hill Adelaide Hills Pinot Meunier — Red
- Murdoch Hill Apollo Piccadilly Valley Pinot Noir — Red
- Murdoch Hill Apollo Pinot Noir — Red
- Murdoch Hill Cabernet Blend Adelaide Hills Red Blend — Red
- Murdoch Hill Cabernets — Red
- Murdoch Hill Chardonnay — White
- Murdoch Hill Halfway Block Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc — White
- Murdoch Hill Limited Release Ridley Adelaide Hills Pinot x Three — Red
- Murdoch Hill Limited Release Vis-à-Vis Cabernet Franc — Red
- Murdoch Hill Pinot Noir — Red
- Murdoch Hill Red Blends Ridley Adelaide Hills Pinot X Three — Red
- Murdoch Hill Ridley Adelaide Hills Pinot X Two — Red
- Murdoch Hill Rocket Chardonnay — White
- Murdoch Hill Sangiovese Jupiter — Red
- Murdoch Hill Sauvignon Blanc — White
- Murdoch Hill Shiraz Blends Adelaide Hills Sulky Rouge — Red
- Murdoch Hill Shiraz Blends Limited Release Falcon Adelaide Hills Syrah Pinot Noir — Red
- Murdoch Hill Shiraz Cronberry Block Oakbank Adelaide Hills Syrah — Red
- Murdoch Hill Shiraz Syrah — Red
- Murdoch Hill Shiraz The Landau Single Vineyard Oakbank Syrah — Red
- Murdoch Hill Syrah Orion Oakbank — Red
- Murdoch Hill The Phaeton Piccadilly Valley Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir — Red
- Murdoch Hill The Phaeton Pinot Noir — Red
- Murdoch Hill The Phaeton Single Vineyard Echunga Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir — Red
- Murdoch Hill The Rocket Limited Release Adelaide Hills Chardonnay — White
- Murdoch Hill The Sulky Riesling — White
- Murdoch Hill The Surrey Adelaide Hills Pinot Meunier — Red
- Murdoch Hill The Surrey Single Vineyard Piccadilly Valley Pinot Meunier — Red
- Murdoch Hill The Tilbury Chardonnay — White
- Murdoch Hill White Blends Adelaide Hills Sulky Blanc — White