The Downer family has farmed their Oakbank property in the tranquil Onkaparinga Valley since the 1930s, with parents Charlie and Julie planting the vineyard’s first vines in 1998. But it was the return of their youngest son, Michael Downer, in 2012 that transformed the boutique estate. Armed with an oenology degree and experience at local benchmark Shaw + Smith as well as cellars in Europe, Michael brought winemaking on site, transitioned the vineyard toward organic practices, and embraced gentle, low-intervention techniques to capture pure regional tension.   

Michael’s boundary-pushing approach quickly brought national acclaim. Crowned the 2017 Young Gun of Wine (and a two-time Winemaker’s Choice winner), he has also been shortlisted for Winemaker of the Year in the 2027 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.

“I simply wanted to come home and make wine that shows a sense of place, something that is embedded in the European wine culture. This required moving in a more minimalistic winemaking approach utilising wild yeasts and gentle extraction techniques, and reducing additions to show the purity of fruit. Overall, I wanted to make delicious drinkable wine styles.”

~ Michael Downer, Chief Winemaker 

His adventurously crafted Artisan Series – named in honor of his grandfather’s vintage horse-drawn carriage collection – shows a lovely mix of curiosity and confidence: respectful of place and variety, but never overly serious.   

Our Murdoch Hill flight at Flight Path showcases the Artisan series, starting bright and textural before moving into expressive, savoury reds. 

It includes:

• ‘The Sulky’ Riesling, bright and aromatic with lemon, lime, yuzu, melon and jasmine‘
• ‘The Tilbury’ Chardonnay, taut and mineral with lime, white flowers, stone fruit and a subtle charry oak note
• ‘The Phaeton’ Pinot Noir, lifted and perfumed with wild raspberries, orange peel, potpourri, cherries, forest floor and gentle spice.
• ‘The Landau’ Syrah, sleek and savoury with white pepper, olives, red plum and berries.

Murdoch Hill represents the absolute cutting edge of modern Adelaide Hills winemaking. Come in and discover these superb wines for yourself!