Our Story
Bannockburn Vineyards' commitment to quality drives everything we do, from the vineyard to the bottle. Stuart Hooper was a successful businessman with a passion for all things wine. He envisioned planting a vineyard that would produce Australian wine of a quality comparable to the great regions of France.
In the early 1970s, Stuart selected a plot of land in the Moorabool Valley near the township of Bannockburn. It was a promising site with desirable soil composition, ideal for quality viticulture, and a rich history of premium wine grape production dating back to the 1870s. The initial plantings were Shiraz vines. Before long, more land was acquired, and more vines and varieties were planted—the story had begun.
A major contribution to Bannockburn Vineyards' success was the strong foundation Stuart provided through his purist, uncompromising approach in establishing the vineyard and winery. Everything was done with a steadfast commitment to producing quality wine.
Although Stuart has since passed, Bannockburn Vineyards remains in the Hooper family, with his daughters as custodians, ensuring his philosophy is preserved. This provides the cornerstone of everything we do at Bannockburn today.
We continue to benefit from the foresight Stuart Hooper showed. In the 1970s and 1980s, when the Australian wine industry focused on Bordeaux as a reference point, Stuart planted Burgundian varieties. Our Serré vineyard is now home to Australia's oldest close-planted Pinot Noir vines, and our Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines are among the oldest in the region.
Like our founder, we strive to express the vineyard through the wines we produce, telling a deeper story of soil and site.
The Vineyard
Doug Clarke leads the Bannockburn vineyard team as Vineyard Manager. With 17 years of dedicated service behind him, Doug brings a calm authority and deep understanding of the land, having worked across every corner of the vineyard over nearly two decades. He is supported by Assistant Vineyard Manager Leo Coleman, whose curiosity, innovation, and youthful enthusiasm are helping to drive the next chapter of Bannockburn’s viticulture. They lead an outstanding team including full-time crew member Matt Armstrong, along with a loyal and hardworking group of casual crew and local seasonal workers, many of whom return year after year. Their collective knowledge and commitment form the backbone of our vineyard operations and ensure consistency in both quality and care.
After more than 37 years dedicated to the vines, Lucas Grigsby has taken on a broader role as Grounds Manager, looking after the wider Bannockburn property. A local for most of his adult life, Lucas now channels his deep knowledge of the land into the overall stewardship of the site.
Guided by respect for the land, our viticultural practices include organic composting, straw mulching to eliminate herbicides, and the use of inter-row cover crops to nourish the soil. These methods not only support the vineyard ecosystem but also help grow the premium-quality fruit essential for crafting exceptional wines.
Every bottle begins in the vineyard, and it is through the care and dedication of this team that the foundation for greatness is laid. Their work ensures that Bannockburn’s vineyards remain a true reflection of place producing wines of depth, integrity, and character.
The Winery
In the winery, Matt Holmes embodies a humble yet deeply thoughtful approach to winemaking, ensuring each wine captures the essence of our unique terroir. His philosophy is to take a step back and let the vineyard speak, beginning with healthy, well-balanced fruit and guiding it through vinification to create wines with an authentic sense of place.
Since joining Bannockburn Vineyards in 2015, Matt has brought a deliberate and considered perspective to his craft. He views his role as a servant to the site, the growing season, and the fruit itself. His focus is on expressing the character of our terroir and style through wines that reflect purity, balance, and nuance.
Matt’s approach emphasizes gentle handling, thoughtful decision-making, and minimal intervention. Every step of the process is carefully managed to preserve the integrity of the fruit and the story of the season it tells. This quiet dedication has been instrumental in producing some of the finest wines in Bannockburn’s history, wines that not only represent the land and the vineyard but also the care and precision of their maker.
The Family
Bannockburn Vineyards has flourished under the care and vision of three generations of family stewardship. Founded by Stuart, the estate remains proudly family-owned by his daughters, Sally and Judy. Their ownership is complemented by the general management of cousins Angus Pollard and Nick Harrison, representing the third generation, who bring renewed energy and ambition to the estate.
Together, the family is committed to ensuring Bannockburn continues to thrive as a cornerstone of great Australian wine. This vision combines a deep respect for Stuart’s original principles with a drive to grow and innovate, ensuring Bannockburn remains synonymous with excellence.
As we celebrate 50 years of history, the family looks forward to the next 50 with a steadfast commitment to growth and progress. By honoring the history and embracing opportunities to evolve, we look to ensure we not only reflect the unique character of the region but also serve as a benchmark for greatness in wine.
