Description
About Stonehurst
Stonehurst’s single-vineyard, boutique wines are made from the Heslop family’s organic, estate grown grapes – hand picked and pruned. Visit our Hunter Valley vineyard next time you’re touring the region – our cellar door is open 7 days a week, from 10am to 5pm.
A great wine begins in the vineyard, and at Stonehurst we are committed to sustainable agriculture. Our elevated trellis captures sunlight and airflow enhancing fruit quality and flavours. We use no insecticide and only organically approved fungicide. This labour of love has resulted in trophy winning wines and great reviews from experts such as James Halliday. Experience the beautiful surrounds of the family estate at one of our winery events. Join the Stonehurst Wine Club and receive exclusive offers, great wine deals and discounted accommodation deals.
The Heslop family wish to welcome you personally to Stonehurst Cedar Creek, a beautiful part of the historic Wollombi Valley. Our Hunter Valley vineyard is truly a family run business.
Since the original land grants in the 1820’s, this farm has been owned by only two families. The descendants of George Goldsmith and John Howell (Napoleonic War veterans) and our family since the Second World War. Daryl has since designed and built the sandstone homestead, timber slab and convict brick cottages and sandstone Cellar Door. All encompass the stories and rich heritage of the property.
On land renowned for its horticultural produce, our family hand planted vines of Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Chambourcin and Muscat. Our vision for the vineyard is to produce premium quality fruit through sustainable viticulture.
The grapes thrive on the rich alluvial soils of the sheltered valley floor which has a rich diversity of birdlife that control the insects, and those who prefer the taste of grapes are kept away with the use of a birdcall deter system.
With 18 acres (8ha), vineyard maintenance is a full time affair. Hand pruning and training occupy most of Winter. A companion crop is often sown between the vines to ensure the health of the soil. With Spring comes budburst and constant monitoring with maintenance of the vine’s vigour encouraged by mulching the vineyards to supress competing grasses and weeds. Then over a long warm Summer, the grapes develop to maturity and are hand-picked from mid February to mid March.
The result of this labour of love – award winning wines and a healthy, indeed superb environment!
