In 1971 John bought a 44-acre farm near the village of Murrumbateman, 40 kilometres north of Canberra. John planted a vineyard and named the property Clonakilla - ‘meadow of the church’ - after his grandfather’s farm in County Clare.

Clonakilla’s Shiraz Viognier puts a fresh twist on Australian Shiraz, born from a vineyard planted by Dr. John Kirk near Canberra in 1971. John planted a vineyard and named the property Clonakilla - ‘meadow of the church’ - after his grandfather’s farm in County Clare.

In 1992, his son Tim started blending shiraz with viognier, adding pinot noir and mataro. Sourced from high-altitude Murrumbateman vines on granitic soils, the wine is known for its aromatic depth, balance, and elegance. This blend earns its place among Australia’s finest wines.