Our Story
The Team
Adam McKissack - Viticulturist and winemaker
Jacky Rowbotham - Sales and marketing
Pepsi & Mojo - Working hard at hardly working
We are a husband and wife team who share a deep passion for wine (and two overindulged cavoodles).
In 2017, a visit to the iconic Henschke Hill of Grace vineyard gave us the courage to pursue our dream of owning a vineyard. If Johann Christian Henschke could cross oceans to build one of Australia’s most revered wineries, surely we could take the first step towards our own.
For Adam, that meant diving headfirst into study, enrolling in a Bachelor of Viticulture at Charles Sturt University, and rolling up his sleeves to learn from the best in Canberra's cool-climate wineries. At the same time, Jacky was scouring the country for the dream property.
In 2025 we purchased Wedgetail Estate, on the edge of the iconic Yarra Valley. Wedgetail offers the elevation and cool climate where our favourite wines, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, thrive.
Though the journey has demanded long hours and hard work, it has fulfilled every dream we had that day in the Hill of Grace vineyard, where this odyssey first began. And Pepsi and Mojo are living their best lives too - rabbits to chase, quads to ride and pats aplenty.
The Wine
We craft our wines by hand, gently guiding them from vine to bottle.
Our philosophy is one of minimal intervention, allowing the fruit to speak for itself. When needed, we turn to modern science - not to overshadow nature, but to reveal its finest expression.
To make great wine you must start with great fruit. Our fruit is sourced exclusively from the estate.
To maximise quality, we work the vines by hand, with prunings mulched into the soil, fruit dropped to control yield, and grapes handpicked for bunch-by-bunch quality control. Low yields ensure there is good flavour concentration in the wines.
The winemaking is thoroughly influenced by Burgundian traditions: barrel fermentation and regular lees stirring for the Chardonnay; cold-soaking, open-top fermentation, and gentle hand-plunging for the Pinot Noir.
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The Vineyard
Wedgetail Estate lies nestled in the verdant hills of the Nillumbik District, on the north-western edge of the Yarra Valley.
Our seven acre vineyard is set in a natural amphitheatre, where steep slopes of clay loam soil and gravel provide excellent drainage, ideal for cultivating premium grapes. At 190 metres elevation, the site enjoys its own distinctive microclimate, shaped by its aspect and exposure.
Planted in 1994 on the site of a former plum orchard, the vineyard was carefully designed to suit its contours. Pinot Noir thrives on the north-east slope, where maximum sun exposure helps build vibrant fruit character. On the cooler, south-facing slope, Chardonnay benefits from the gentler conditions that preserve natural acidity and elegance.
At the heart of the estate is our striking winery. Constructed from 30 cm thick rammed earth, it offers superb thermal stability, perfect for winemaking and barrel maturation. Below ground, our barrel hall maintains consistent conditions for ageing, allowing our wines to evolve gracefully over time.
The Country
Wedgetail Estate lies within the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Willam clan.
This is ancient land, rich with deep cultural and spiritual significance, shaped by thousands of years of continuous human connection.
We are proud to be custodians of a place where the Wurundjeri Willam people lived, loved, fished, and cared for Country.
The Wurundjeri recognise Bunjil the wedge-tailed eagle, the great creator who shaped the landscape and gave life to the people.
At Wedgetail Estate, we honour Bunjil’s lore - we protect our land and waterways, and we safeguard our heritage.
CELLAR DOOR
40 Hildebrand Road,
Cottles Bridge, VIC 3099
OPENING HOURS
Weekends & Public Holidays
11.00am - 4.30pm
CONTACT US
e: info@wedgetailestate.com.au
t: 0493 287 863
It is against the law to sell or supply alcohol to, or to obtain alcohol on behalf of, a person under the age of 18 years.
Victoria Liquor Licence: 32802000