Deep ruby colour. A nose of fruitcake and spice. The palate is rich and powerful with cherry and plum. The long finish reveals the soft tannins of the Porongurups. Beautifully balanced French oak shows the winemakers finesse.

92 Point Rated - James Halliday Wine Companion

"Dark garnet, brick hues. Ripe black fruit, dark plum and black cherry. Lifted and spicy, with real density mid palate. Tannins are velvet soft, almost slippery in texture with 25% new oak all soaked it seems."

Highly Rated - Huon Hooke The Real Review

"Medium to full red colour with the faintest tint of purple. The bouquet is straightforward, herbal, spicy and earthy, with some quite pretty floral and herbal high-notes. The palate is lean and light to medium-bodied, sinewy in texture with some stemmy bitterness. It's a pleasant lighter-weighted, elegantly cool-grown style of shiraz"

Duke and Hilde Ranson ended their long search for the perfect property to establish their vineyard as their "retirement". The first vine was planted on Duke's 60th birthday, on the 5th August, 1999. When other people think of retirement, Duke and Hilde Ranson started their wine-making careers.

With Duke’s background in Agriculture and a long love affair with wine, it was not altogether a surprise when Duke and Hilde purchased a block in the Riesling belt in the Porongurup.

They decided to plant beautiful Riesling, beloved Cabernet Sauvignon (by Duke) and spicy Shiraz. Ten hectares of vines were planted on the 60 hectare farm. ‘Porongurup Pure’ sheep are agisted on the remaining acreage.  The vineyard is situated at the foot of the heritage-listed Porongurup Range and also overlooks the Stirling Range to the north. It is a cool climate region producing soft reds and is a premium region for Riesling. The cellar door opened in 2002, to serve their first ever vintage, 2001 Riesling.

The entire staff consists of six, with Duke and Hilde included. They are a small, passionate, family orientated crew, who all know the place like the back of their hand. 

Duke’s Vineyard is the dream that is now reality - and although retirement is looming, Duke and Hilde remain as enthusiastic about their project as they were on the day they first saw the property.