Norton Estate

In ’96 the Spence family purchased a rundown farm at Lower Norton and planted vines on the elevated, frost-free buckshot rises. The surprising success of the initial planting of shiraz prompted further plantings of shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc. The vineyard is halfway between the Grampians and Mt Arapiles, 6km northwest of the Grampians region, and has to be content with the Western Victoria Zone, but the wines show regional Grampians character and style. -JAMES HALLIDAY