History
Brian Stonier founded Stonier in 1978 and in doing so, became one of the pioneer vignerons on the Mornington Peninsula.
Brian’s ambition was to put Mornington Peninsula fine wine on the world stage, and in the late 1990’s the world began to take notice. In 1999 Decanter awarded the Stonier 1997 Reserve Pinot Noir. Best New World Red Wine of the Year. This award was followed by the 2001 International Wine Challenge in London where Stonier won the Trophy for Best Chardonnay and Best White Wine of Show for its 1999 Stonier Reserve Chardonnay.
Stonier’s focus on Single Vineyard Wines began to gain momentum at the turn of the new decade with the release of its 2000 KBS Vineyard Chardonnay. In 1991, Stonier’s new winery and cellar door were completed, designed by renowned Melbourne architect Daryl Jackson. The building was officially opened by then Governor of Victoria, Dr Davis McCaughey.
The story so far
Stonier is now back in local family ownership for the first time since the Stonier family sold the winery in 1999. Three local families; Drummond, McLeod & Thickins acquired the winery, vineyard, and brand in December 2022.
“Growing up on the Peninsula, I always looked at Stonier as the benchmark fine wine producer. Brian had a very clear ambition to put Mornington Peninsula fine wine on the global stage…and he achieved that before he sold out I the late 1990’s. In 1999 Decanter awarded the Stonier 1997 Reserve Pinot Noir. Best New World Red Wine of the Year. This award was followed by the 2001 International Wine Challenge in London where Stonier won the Trophy for Best Chardonnay and Best White Wine of Show for its 1999 Stonier Reserve Chardonnay. As Andrew Caillard MW wrote in his book The Essence of Dreams “this was a coming of age for Peninsula Wine”.
It is our ambition to continue on that tradition and cement Stonier as a leading and relevant Global fine wine brand. We have some of the oldest and best vineyards on the Peninsula, a pedigree for great wine, and the people with a combined experience of quality farming, great winemaking and building world class wine businesses.
We hope that you will continue to support us for what is really the next chapter in Stonier’s amazing pioneering history”.
Cheers – Aaron Drummond
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