Oakridge Wines

Oakridge was established in 1978 when Horst 'Jim' Zitzlaff planted the first vines on a four-hectare cherry orchard in Wandin East, a site now known as the Five Oaks vineyard. The estate focused initially on Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and a small amount of Rhine Riesling. In 1998, the Zitzlaffs relocated production to a more prominent site on the Maroondah Highway in Coldstream, building a new 1,100-tonne winery and cellar door. The business was acquired by Margaret River-based Evans and Tate in 2001, which brought David Bicknell on board as winemaker in 2002 to revitalise the operation. Between 2007 and 2021, Oakridge returned to family ownership under the D'Aloisio and Atlas families, who commissioned the striking architect-designed cellar door and restaurant, designed by Denton Corker Marshall and opened in 2013. Since early 2021, Oakridge has been part of Paragon Wine Estates, a portfolio within Endeavour Group.

• Founded 1978 in Wandin East on a four-hectare cherry orchard; original site now known as Five Oaks vineyard
• Relocated to Coldstream in 1998; iconic cellar door and restaurant designed by Denton Corker Marshall opened in 2013
• Acquired by Evans and Tate in 2001; D'Aloisio/Atlas family ownership 2007 to 2021
• Sold to Paragon Wine Estates (Endeavour Group) in early 2021; David Bicknell has led winemaking continuously since 2002

Oakridge operates three estate vineyards across the Upper Yarra Valley: Oakridge Vineyard in Coldstream, Hazeldene Vineyard in Gladysdale, and Henk Vineyard in Woori Yallock. Each site contributes distinct character shaped by elevation, aspect, and soil. The Funder and Diamond Drive Block, planted in 1990 in the red volcanic soils of Wandin East using the P58 clone, is the source of the flagship 864 Chardonnay. The Hazeldene Vineyard Block 1 is a north-facing site at 180 metres above sea level, planted in 1998 using the MV6 clone in red volcanic soils of Gladysdale. The Henk Vineyard Aqueduct Block, planted in 2008 to Dijon clone 95 in the volcanic soils of Woori Yallock, is the highest and coolest Chardonnay source in the Oakridge portfolio. In total, Oakridge owns 20.8 hectares and leases an additional 16.6 hectares across its vineyard network.

• Three estate vineyards: Oakridge (Coldstream), Hazeldene (Gladysdale), and Henk (Woori Yallock)
• Funder & Diamond Drive Block: planted 1990, P58 clone, red volcanic soils of Wandin East, source of flagship 864 Chardonnay
• Hazeldene Block 1: north-facing at 180m elevation, MV6 clone planted 1998 in red volcanic soils of Gladysdale
• 20.8 hectares owned plus 16.6 hectares leased; single-block focus highlights micro-terroir distinctions across sites

Chief Winemaker David Bicknell's guiding principle, 'the devil is in the detail,' drives a meticulous approach from vine to bottle. Chardonnay for the 864 range is hand-picked and whole-bunch pressed directly to French oak puncheons (20% new) for natural fermentation, followed by ten months of elevage in barrel and a further six months on lees in tank. This extended lees contact builds texture and complexity while preserving site-specific mineral character. Pinot Noir is fermented using whole-berry and whole-bunch combinations in open vessels, then matured in French oak. The 864 range is produced only in the finest vintages, representing the ultimate expression of each single block. David Bicknell co-founded the Victorian Pinot Noir Workshop in 2002 and was named Dux of the Len Evans Tutorial in 2005, reflecting his deep engagement with variety and terroir.

• 864 Chardonnay: whole-bunch pressed to French puncheons (20% new) for natural fermentation; 10 months in barrel plus 6 months on lees in tank
• Pinot Noir: whole-berry and whole-bunch fermentation in open vessels; maturation in French oak for 10 to 11 months
• 864 range released only in best vintages; terroir-driven single-block focus with minimal intervention
• Bicknell co-founded Victorian Pinot Noir Workshop (2002) and was Dux of Len Evans Tutorial (2005)

Oakridge holds certification from Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and applies biological farming across all vineyard holdings, treating soil health as the foundation for fruit quality. Chief Viticulturist Steve Faulkner manages cover-cropping, estate-made compost teas, and an on-site insectarium to foster biodiversity and reduce synthetic inputs. The winery participates in the Yarra Ranges Ribbons of Green program, which restores native plant corridors across the landscape. Precision viticultural practices, including selective canopy management and block-by-block harvest decisions, allow the team to capture optimal ripeness within each site. The Oakridge Vineyard Winery Block underwent an intensive four-year rejuvenation program to restore vine health using biological methods, demonstrating the team's long-term commitment to sustainable land stewardship.

• Certified Sustainable Winegrowing Australia; biological farming with cover crops, compost teas, and on-site insectarium
• Participant in Yarra Ranges Ribbons of Green program for native plant restoration and biodiversity
• Winery Block subjected to multi-year biological rejuvenation program to restore vine health without synthetic inputs
• Block-by-block harvest decisions and precision canopy management optimize ripeness within each individual site

Oakridge has accumulated over 500 domestic and international trophies and medals. The 2022 864 Funder and Diamond Drive Block Chardonnay was named Wine of the Year, Chardonnay of the Year, and White Wine of the Year at the 2025 Halliday Wine Companion Awards with a score of 98 points, with Halliday tasting judge Philip Rich describing Bicknell as 'the godfather of modern Australian chardonnay.' The winery has held a Halliday Top Five Star Winery rating for 17 consecutive years and ranked number one in the Halliday Top 100 Wineries for 2023. Oakridge was also named Winery of the Year 2023 by The Real Review and Best Value Winery of the Year at the 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards. The 864 Funder and Diamond Chardonnay was inducted into Langton's Classification in 2018. The 2022 Vineyard Series Hazeldene Pinot Noir won Wine of Show, Best Red Wine, and Best Pinot Noir at the 2024 Yarra Valley Wine Show.

• 2022 864 Funder & Diamond Drive Block Chardonnay = Wine of the Year, Chardonnay of the Year, White Wine of the Year (2025 Halliday Awards, 98 points)
• 17 consecutive Halliday Top Five Star Winery ratings; ranked #1 in Halliday Top 100 Wineries for 2023
• 2023 Winery of the Year (The Real Review); Best Value Winery of the Year (2024 Halliday Wine Companion Awards)
• 864 Funder & Diamond Chardonnay inducted into Langton's Classification in 2018; 2022 Hazeldene Pinot Noir won Wine of Show at 2024 Yarra Valley Wine Show

Oakridge exemplifies how a focused Australian producer can achieve consistent world-class quality through single-block terroir expression, biological farming, and unwavering attention to detail. Under David Bicknell's two-decade stewardship, Oakridge has fundamentally shifted the perception of Australian Chardonnay from broad and oaky to precise, mineral, and site-specific. The 864 range is cited as a national benchmark and is one of the few Australian white wines to earn Langton's Classification status. The winery also demonstrates that quality and value can coexist at scale, evidenced by its Best Value Winery recognition. For wine professionals and students, Oakridge represents a compelling case study in cool-climate single-vineyard specialisation, biological viticulture, and the transformation of the Yarra Valley into a globally recognised fine wine region.

• Fundamental reference point for Australian Chardonnay evolution toward mineral, site-specific cool-climate style
• 864 range is among the few Australian white wines in Langton's Classification (inducted 2018)
• Demonstrates compatibility of fine wine quality and value; Halliday Best Value Winery 2024
• Essential case study for WSET and CMS students on Yarra Valley cool-climate viticulture and biological farming integration