History

Property 'The Jim Jim' near Hanging Rock was purchased at auction.

The first vines were planted in Spring - Pinot Noir (sourced as rootlings from Tyrrells) - the season is too cold; snow and frosts meant many vines were lost. The Ellis's son Robert was born in December (Daughter Ruth was then 3 years old).

John Ellis concluded his role at Tisdall Winery in July 1984 and rented a cottage near the Jim Jim. He then began work as CEO at the Victorian Wine Industry Associated (VWIA) headquarters in Melbourne.

The first Sauvignon Blanc vines were planted in 1984.

Construction of the winery / residence commenced: the basis for the winery building was an old riverside grain silo in Echuca which John purchased for $1000.

The first crop was a tiny quantity of Semillon off the Jim Jim.

In July 86 the Ellis's moved into the winery / residence with a generator supplying power.

The first real vintage at the Jim Jim - Pinot Noir and Chardonnay were picked for Macedon Sparkling; along with Semillon and Sauvignon for the first table wines.

Heathcote Shiraz - the first vintage of Heathcote Shiraz. These grapes were in fact the very first to be processed in the winery - and the 1987 Heathcote Shiraz may never have happened because the new winery's power supply was only switched on two hours after the first grapes arrived for processing! Fortuitously it did happen and the '87 vintage went on to win a swag of Gold Medals. Unfortunately that vineyard was let go due to salination issues in 1993.

Cellar Door opens after approval from the local council gets through

Macedon Cuvee l was bottled, to be released in 1993.

The Ellis family joined forces with Athol Guy (of Seekers fame) and established a joint venture vineyard located, on the eastern slopes of Mt Camel. It became know as "Athol's Paddock". The first vintage was 1997 and it too immediately collected show awards and accolades.

The 1993 Jim Jim Sauvignon Blanc shares the title with Cloudy Bay, of 'World's Best Sauvignon Blanc' in the UK's Wine Magazine.

Mark Shield and Huon Hooke rate Macedon III as Australia's Best Sparkling in the Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide.

The launch of the ROCK range

The first vintage of Heathcote Shiraz to be fully matured exclusively in new, steam-bent American oak.

The 2000 vintage which went on to collect 2 Trophies and 9 Gold Medals.

Major label redesign undertaken by Barbara Harkness (of Yellow Tail fame) along with the arrival of the Black label super premium range.

Ruth Ellis graduates with a Degree in Wine Marketing from Adelaide University and joins Hanging Rock Winery as Brand Ambassador.

In December 2005 in Australia's most expensive sparkling wine to date (RRP $110) was launched - the Macedon LD NV Brut (Cuvee VI with nine years on lees). The wine was quickly embraced by critics and customers alike, receiving rave reviews and selling out quickly.

Rob graduates with a degree in wine making from Adelaide University.

James Halliday's 2007 Wine Companion ranks Hanging Rock Macedon Cuvee XI and Macedon LD Cuvee VI at the top of his 'Best of the Best' rankings. Also, John Lewis of the Newcastle Morning Herald votes Macedon LD Cuvee VI his "Wine of the Year' for 2006.

John Ellis is elected Chairman of the Small Winemakers Committee of Winemakers Federation of Australia (WFA) and automatically assumes the position of Vice President of the WFA.

The first Speckle Park bull purchased and named 'Jim'.

Rob returns after spending a number of years making wine around the world, including Burgundy, Oregon, South Africa and Barossa Valley. Ruth and Robert take over much of the running of the business.

2010 Heathcote Shiraz wins a top gold medal and comes second in the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy judging at the Melbourne Wine Show.

Rob wins his first trophy, Public Choice Award for best wine in show, with his 2013 Jim Jim Sauvignon Blanc.

Ruth and John launch their new enterprise Hanging Rock Beef and Hanging Rock Speckle Park Stud.