2021 – Run by the ever hospitable winemaker and wine historian, Andrew Pattinson and his partner Heather McCormack, Burke & Wills is one of the last and best examples of what boutique winemaking should be.  Under hands guided by decades of experience and a broad command of wine history, Burke & Wills crafts a range of wines that capture the best of both Heathcote and global wine traditions.  There may be no better capture of the traditional Heathcote Shiraz style than B&W’s glorious 2018 Vat 1 Shiraz.  On the other end of the spectrum, their Bordeaux blend (the 2015 Aristocrat) is a more faithful representation of adroit French blending than any import you will find on Australian shelves.  And rounding all of that out, their plump and textural Pinot Gris is one of the best whites you’ll find around.  Boutique winemaking at its best!

2019 – Should you ever encounter them at a wine festival, Heather McCormack and Andrew Pattison who run Burke & Wills Winery are about as cool of wine people as you’ll meet. They’ve been around the industry for a long time, and they’ve had the smarts to roll with the times and market, but never compromising on quality. Many will be familiar with Burke & Wills’ bombastic Big Red, but you might be shocked when you try their Vat 2 2012 Shiraz. It’s one of the very best we have had, and that’s saying a lot for a Heathcote Shiraz! Vanilla, subdued raspberry, just the right amount of light pepper. Ample weight but super smooth. An archetypal Heathcote Shiraz to be sure. We want more!  We have not had a Burk & Wills wine we didn’t enjoy. Their 2015 Vat 1 Shiraz was named Victoria’s best Shiraz!!!  Another classic example of why you should not rely on one wine critic (cough, cough Halliday).  If someone didn’t pay them enough or if they just don’t fancy a certain style, you may miss a true gem.  B&W is tops.

If you would like to visit Burke and Wills directly, you must prearrange with Andrew.  Well worth the effort.  The couple will graciously welcome you into their home and walk you through a range of spectacular wines.