Stonier Wines

Brian Stonier established Stonier Wines in 1978 as one of the founding estates on the Mornington Peninsula. Chardonnay was planted first in 1978, with Pinot Noir following in 1982, and the first Pinot Noir was released in 1986. The winery and cellar door were completed in 1991, designed by renowned Melbourne architect Daryl Jackson. The founding family sold the business in the late 1990s, and the estate eventually passed to Accolade Wines. In December 2022, three local families, the Drummonds, McLeods, and Thickins, purchased the estate through their vehicle Circe Wines, returning it to independent local ownership. Julian Grounds, formerly of New Zealand's Craggy Range, became Chief Winemaker and co-owner in 2024.

• Chardonnay first planted in 1978; Pinot Noir followed in 1982
• Cellar door designed by Melbourne architect Daryl Jackson, completed 1991
• Sold by the Stonier family in the late 1990s; later acquired by Accolade
• Purchased by Circe Wines in December 2022, restoring local family ownership

Stonier is located at Merricks on the southern edge of the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria. The estate sits within a cool maritime climate shaped by its proximity to Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait. The mean January temperature is 19.4°C, and no vineyard on the peninsula sits more than 7km from the ocean. Estate vineyards are elevated between 200 and 250 metres, planted on russet-red volcanic soils in the southern sites, with a wider diversity of yellow and brown soils over friable, well-drained clay across the broader regional holdings.

• Located in Merricks on the southern Mornington Peninsula
• Cool maritime climate with mean January temperature of 19.4°C
• Estate vineyards at 200 to 250 metres elevation on volcanic soils
• No peninsula vineyard site sits more than 7km from the ocean

Stonier produces Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Shiraz, with its reputation anchored in the first two varieties. The estate has focused on single-vineyard expressions since 2000, when the KBS Vineyard release was introduced as the flagship. Key vineyard sites include KBS, Windmill, Stonier Family, Lyncroft, and Evie. The KBS designation is named after founder Kenneth Brian Stonier. The winery is committed to organic conversion and sustainable viticulture practices across its vineyard holdings.

• Flagship KBS Vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay launched as single-vineyard releases from 2000
• KBS stands for Kenneth Brian Stonier, the founder
• Key sites: KBS, Windmill, Stonier Family, Lyncroft, and Evie
• Estate committed to organic conversion and sustainable viticulture

Stonier's international recognition came quickly after its early releases. In 1999, Decanter awarded the 1997 Reserve Pinot Noir Best New World Red Wine of the Year. In 2001, Stonier won the Trophy for Best Chardonnay and Best White Wine of Show at the International Wine Challenge in London. The estate also founded the Stonier International Pinot Noir Tasting, known as SIPNOT, in 2000, establishing itself as a regional and international advocate for cool-climate Pinot Noir.

• 1997 Reserve Pinot Noir named Best New World Red Wine of the Year by Decanter in 1999
• Won Best Chardonnay and Best White Wine of Show at the 2001 International Wine Challenge in London
• Founded SIPNOT (Stonier International Pinot Noir Tasting) in 2000