Mount Prior is an icon of Rutherglen with a storied history.  Unfortunately, like much of Rutherglen, the estate has dwindled over the year and now includes 100 acres under vine and the cool old cellar door.  On our last visit, the property was up for sale.

The staff at Mount Prior are always exceptional.  If Jim Sawyer, the owner, is around, be sure to get a tour of the winery, which he is often happy to accommodate.

Mount Prior produces very reliable quality wines that occasionally (though not reliable) reach stratospheric heights.  The best AUS Merlot we ever had came from here as well as one of the better Chardonnays we’ve ever tried.  For this reason, we make our pilgrimage every year.  In wine hunting, you can never be certain when or where you will turn up treasure.