What clonakilla does

Clonakilla is a family-owned winery established in 1971 by Dr. John Kirk on a 44-acre farm in Murrumbateman, in the Canberra District of New South Wales, Australia. The property sits at approximately 600 meters elevation on sandy clay-loam over decomposed dacite subsoil, with 13.5 hectares under vine. The winery produced the Canberra District's first commercial wines in 1976 and uses cool-climate techniques including whole-bunch fermentation, native yeast fermentation, extended maceration, and French oak maturation. The portfolio centers on the flagship Shiraz Viognier, a co-fermented blend pioneered by Chief Winemaker Tim Kirk in 1992 following his visit to Domaine Guigal in Côte-Rôtie. The broader range includes Riesling, Viognier, Viognier Nouveau, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay (sourced from Tumbarumba), Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, a straight Syrah (capped at ~300 dozen annually), Hilltops Shiraz, O'Riada Shiraz, the Bordeaux-style Ballinderry, and the Rhône-style Ceoltoiri, plus rare Single Parcel Shiraz Viogniers and Museum back-vintage releases.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market model. Direct-to-consumer sales are conducted through a cellar door at the Murrumbateman property and a Shopify-powered e-commerce storefront that ships within Australia only, supplemented by an exclusive membership program offering priority access to rare wines and curated dinner events priced at A$225-A$295 per person. Wholesale distribution covers specialty wine retailers, bottle shops, and restaurants across all major Australian states, and internationally across New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, the US (via Winebow Imports), the UK (via Liberty Wines), Canada, and Europe (via additional distributors). Event-led marketing includes annual tasting dinners in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, and Canberra hosted by Tim Kirk, alongside earned media coverage in Gourmet Traveller WINE, Decanter, The Wall Street Journal, Halliday's Wine Companion, James Suckling, and Wine Advocate.

The company remains family-controlled by the Kirk family under a second-generation leadership team: Tim Kirk as Chief Winemaker, Stephen Kirk as CEO, and Kiaran Kirk as Board Chair, with founder John Kirk still connected to the vineyard. In June 2024, Clonakilla was admitted to Australia's First Families of Wine, a consortium of 12 elite multi-generational wineries. Industry recognition includes Tim Kirk's 2013 Australian Winemaker of the Year award (Gourmet Traveller WINE), Langton's Classification 'Exceptional' ranking for the Shiraz Viognier (one of only 22 Australian wines at this tier), four Cellars in the Sky Best First Class Red awards across Qantas and Singapore Airlines, and 2017 Decanter Wine Legend status for the 2001 Shiraz Viognier.

Name

clonakilla

Legal name

Clonakilla

Website

https://clonakilla.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Clonakilla is a family-owned Australian winery in Murrumbateman (Canberra District) producing benchmark cool-climate wines led by its flagship Shiraz Viognier. It sells via cellar door, Australia-only e-commerce, a membership program, and wholesale distribution across 12+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Grape Vineyards (111332), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)

SIC

Beverages (2080), Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wine Production & Winemaking (AFAFAAAB), Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE), Wine Grape Vineyard Operations (Varietal/AVA Practices, Yield & Quality Targets) (AFAGAJAJ)

Keywords

• Cool-climate wines
• Premium winery
• Estate-grown wines
• Wine production
• Vineyard winemaking

Headquarters

HQ city

Murrumbateman

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. Direct Wine Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales through cellar door cellar door tastings and online store. Includes flagship Shiraz Viognier, museum wines, and exclusive single parcel releases.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Wholesale distribution to specialty wine retailers, bottle shops, and restaurants across Australia and internationally.
3. Exclusive Membership Program: Priority access membership for rare wines, single parcel releases, exclusive offers, and dinner events. Requires purchase of 6+ bottles of Shiraz Viognier or equivalent value wines.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Clonakilla is a family-owned Australian winery producing and selling premium cool-climate wines from its Murrumbateman vineyard in the Canberra District. The portfolio centers on the flagship Shiraz Viognier co-fermented blend, complemented by Riesling, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Hilltops Shiraz, O'Riada Shiraz, Ballinderry (Bordeaux blend), and Ceoltoiri (Rhône blend). Sales occur via cellar door, e-commerce, exclusive membership allocations, and wholesale distribution to specialty retailers and restaurants across Australia and international markets.

Product overview

Clonakilla is an Australian winery producing a portfolio of estate-grown and sourced wines from its Murrumbateman vineyard in the Canberra District. The core offering centers on the flagship Shiraz Viognier, a benchmark cool-climate red inspired by Côte-Rôtie, along with additional wines including Riesling, Viognier, Viognier Nouveau, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Syrah, Hilltops Shiraz, O'Riada Shiraz, Ballinderry (Bordeaux blend), and Ceoltoiri (Rhône blend). The portfolio spans single-varietal wines, co-fermented blends, and multi-varietal assemblages. Exclusive offerings include Museum back-vintage wines, Single Parcel Shiraz Viogniers (limited to mailing list members), and annual dinner events in major cities. Wine purchases are facilitated through the Shopify-powered e-commerce platform with integrated payment processing, while cellar door tastings are bookable via OpenTable.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Shiraz Viognier 2024 rated 99 points by Ken Gargett (Wine Pilot)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and regional.

• Australia's First Families of Wine (AFFW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Clonakilla joined Australia's First Families of Wine in June 2024, an elite group of 12 wineries celebrating multi-generational succession, exceptional terroir, iconic wines of lengthy pedigree, environmental best practice, and commitment to exporting Australian wine globally. Chester Osborn (8th Chairman) welcomed Clonakilla and Best's Great Western as new members.
• Winebow ImportsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUS-based wine importer distributing Clonakilla wines in the United States market.
• Liberty WinesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUK-based wine importer distributing Clonakilla wines in the United Kingdom market.
• Peak International WinesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational wine distributor serving Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, and broader Asia markets.
• Caro's WinesregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew Zealand wine retailer based in Parnell, Auckland serving NZ market.
• Inland TradingregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for South East Asia markets.
• Mullany and Gleeson Families (Hilltops)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term grape suppliers for Hilltops Shiraz from the Hilltops district around Young, NSW. Strategic relationship providing high-quality fruit from distinct terroir.
• Johansen Family (Tumbarumba)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVineyard partners in Tumbarumba at 700m elevation providing Chardonnay fruit. Long-term relationship for premium cool-climate white wines.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Penfolds: Australia's most iconic premium wine brand, owner of Grange and a broad portfolio of Shiraz-led wines. Comparable as the benchmark Australian Shiraz producer against which Clonakilla's Shiraz Viognier is benchmarked, though operating at vastly greater scale via Treasury Wine Estates.

Direct peers

• Henschke: Fifth-generation family-owned Barossa/Eden Valley producer best known for Hill of Grace Shiraz. Closely comparable as a multi-generational, family-led, terroir-driven premium Australian red wine producer with similar allocation and museum-release practices.
• Torbreck: Barossa Valley Rhône-style specialist founded by David Powell. Comparable as a premium Rhône-inspired Australian producer whose Rhone-style blends (e.g., RunRig, The Steading) parallel Clonakilla's Côte-Rôtie-inspired Shiraz Viognier and Ceoltóiri.
• Yalumba: Fifth-generation family-owned South Australian winery and fellow AFFW member. Closely comparable as a multi-generational, family-controlled Australian producer with global distribution and a portfolio spanning premium and value tiers.
• Best's Great Western: Multi-generational Victorian family winery and fellow new AFFW inductee alongside Clonakilla in 2024. Directly comparable on family-ownership heritage, museum cellar offerings, and elite Australian fine-wine positioning.
• Cullen: Biodynamic Margaret River producer recognized for benchmark Chardonnay and Cabernet. Comparable as a premium, family-led Australian fine-wine producer with strong terroir narrative and global critical recognition.
• Shaw + Smith: Adelaide Hills cool-climate specialist with strong Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Shiraz portfolio. Comparable as a cool-climate premium Australian producer focused on expressing regional character and aging potential.
• Tyrrell's: Fifth-generation Hunter Valley family winery and AFFW member. Comparable as a long-established, family-controlled Australian premium producer with museum and back-vintage release programs.

Emerging players

• Giant Steps: Yarra Valley premium producer focused on single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Comparable as a high-end, single-vineyard-focused Australian producer whose allocation and DTC model overlaps with Clonakilla's premium positioning.
• Jasper Hill: Heathcote producer of benchmark Shiraz (Georgia's Paddock, Emily's Paddock). Comparable as a small-scale, family-operated, terroir-expressive Australian Shiraz specialist with strong cult following and limited production.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Clonakilla
• Instagraminstagram.com/clonakillawines
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/clonakilla

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about clonakilla