Mount Horrocks
About
Where Passion Meets Excellence in the Heart of Clare Valley
At 490 metres elevation in the Watervale subregion of South Australia’s Clare Valley, Stephanie Toole crafts wines that tell the story of her land—wines that whisper of ancient soils, cool upland breezes, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. At Mount Horrocks, every bottle represents not just exceptional quality, but a philosophy that authentic greatness comes from understanding your vineyard intimately and working in harmony with nature.
Stephanie's Journey
Stephanie’s path to winemaking excellence began in 1993 when she purchased Mount Horrocks Wines, driven by a vision of creating truly exceptional, handcrafted wines. Her dedication extends far beyond the cellar—in 1998, she lovingly restored Auburn’s historic railway station as the winery’s cellar door, and by 2000, she was selecting the perfect vineyard sites in Watervale. Here, she planted classic Clare Valley varieties—Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Semillon—while boldly introducing Nero d’Avola to the region, carefully matching each grape variety to the unique soil and rock conditions across her sites.
What sets Stephanie apart is her intimate knowledge of every corner of her ten-hectare estate. Working at the highest elevation in Watervale, she has spent decades nurturing her land back to vibrant health through certified organic and biodynamic practices—one of only two local wineries to achieve both certifications. This isn’t just about avoiding chemicals; it’s about embracing a completely different philosophy of farming that honors the natural complexity and resilience of the land.
As both owner and winemaker, Stephanie’s hands-on approach extends into every aspect of vineyard management. What might seem like common sense to her represents an uncommonly detailed attention to viticulture—from pruning decisions based on individual vine needs to harvest timing determined by daily tastings and soil moisture assessments. Her physical presence in the vineyard throughout each season ensures that every decision, from canopy management to fruit selection, reflects her intimate understanding of how each block responds to the unique conditions at this elevated site.
The Mount Horrocks Difference
Every wine begins in the vineyard, where Stephanie’s biodynamic approach produces fruit of exceptional quality and character. Hand-picked grapes are treated with the gentlest care, preserving the distinct flavors that can only come from this unique terroir. In the winery, traditional no-compromise techniques ensure that each wine truly expresses both its varietal character and single-site origins.
The result? Essentially hand-made food wines that marry generous fruit flavors with impeccable structure. With production deliberately limited to just 2,500 cases annually, each of the seven wines in Stephanie’s portfolio represents the pinnacle of quality from estate-grown grapes. Using only the finest French oak barrels when needed, and requiring no fining agents (making all wines suitable for vegans and vegetarians), every bottle reflects Stephanie’s
The Collection
Mount Horrocks Watervale Riesling – Pure expression of high-altitude Watervale terroir Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling – An Australian icon wine of extraordinary concentration Mount Horrocks Watervale Semillon – Elegant and age-worthy Mount Horrocks Rosé – Fresh, vibrant, and food-friendly Mount Horrocks Cabernet Sauvignon – Classic structure with generous fruit Mount Horrocks Alexander Vineyard Shiraz – Single-vineyard excellence Mount Horrocks Nero d’Avola – A pioneering Italian variety that Stephanie introduced to the region
Recognition and Philosophy
While Mount Horrocks wines have earned prestigious international acclaim—including James Halliday’s coveted Five Star Red Rating and recognition from Wine Spectator as producing an “Australian Icon Wine”—Stephanie remains focused on what truly matters: the relentless pursuit of perfection in vineyard and winery.
Her Cordon Cut Riesling has claimed trophies from Decanter and the International Wine Challenge, and was even served at the official Lord Mayor of London’s luncheon celebrating Queen Elizabeth’s 80th birthday. Yet these accolades, while gratifying, are not what drives Stephanie. As James Halliday noted in his 2023 Australian Wine Companion: “Stephanie Toole has never deviated from the pursuit of excellence in the vineyard and winery… The attention to detail and refusal to cut corners is obvious in all of her wines.”
This low-key approach to excellence—focusing on craft rather than competition—has created wines that don’t just win awards, but create lasting memories around dinner tables and special celebrations.
Visit Mount Horrocks
Experience these exceptional wines at our historic Auburn Railway Station cellar door, where Stephanie’s passion for wine and food comes alive. Here, in this beautifully restored heritage building, you’ll discover not just outstanding wines, but the story of a remarkable woman who transformed a dream into one of Australia’s most respected small wineries.
Mount Horrocks: Where every bottle tells the story of place, passion, and uncompromising quality.
