The original WOODSTOCK property was named by English settlers, after their hometown of Woodstock, near Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England.
The Townsend Family, headed by William Louis Townsend, received a Crown Lease for the property in 1905, built a home with a brick well and established the estate as a vineyard and orchard. It has been known as Woodstock ever since.
In the centre of the town of Woodstock in England stands a set of medieval wooden leg stocks, which were historically used for the public punishment of townsfolk who had over-imbibed.
A replica of these stocks welcomes you at the entrance of WOODSTOCK Estate in McLaren Vale. Incidentally, our much-revered single vineyard WOODSTOCK ‘The Stocks’ Shiraz, sourced exclusively from 31 rows of old Shiraz vines (planted circa 1900), has been cheekily named after this set of stocks!
Our Philosophy
To capture the essence of McLaren Vale, we strive for absolute quality, beginning in our old vineyards, through every phase of winemaking, to the wines before you, wherever that may be. The WOODSTOCK wine portfolio includes a range of fresh aromatic whites, opulent yet finely structured reds and finally, an eclectic selection of after-dinner wines.
We believe in capturing natural acidity and fresh grape characters in our whites and rosé.
WOODSTOCK reds are all about smooth tannins and purity of fruit. As grape tannins age on the vines, they become less bitter making their wines softer. WOODSTOCK reds are soft and approachable when young, yet with structure to age with cellaring.
Our aim is to put together balanced table wines with all the building blocks necessary for them to grow in flavour profile and intensity with careful cellaring.
WOODSTOCK founder Doug Collett had the foresight to make fortified to benefit future generations of wine lovers. His son Scott, continues those footsteps and releases consistent, evolving quality classics.
The 'WOODSTOCK' Name.