The Story Behind Stockman's Ridge Wines

Jonathan grew up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, where the sun, sand, and surf defined his days. Whilst the days comprised sun and sand, it was the unique stories of the Australian stockmen that fuelled his imagination. 

Their grit, perseverance, and connection to the land stayed with him, planting a seed of inspiration that would grow into something remarkable. 

In his early twenties, Jonathan turned his back on the beach and headed inland, trading his thongs for boots he marked out his first plot of land in the central tableands of NSW. It was a lonely existence, hand-planted a small vineyard in the wind-swept slopes north of Bathurst. With days spent knocking in posts, running lengths of wire for his rootling’s and a rewarding a quiet cup of tea in the arvo, Jonathan prospered, inspired by the stories of the Australian bush that had long captured his heart. 

Fuelled by hard work, determination, and a dream of crafting wines that spoke of the land, Stockman’s Ridge was born. The early days weren’t glamorous, but Jonathan’s dedication bore fruit—literally and figuratively. His first Shiraz, bottled in 2008, was a revelation, winning eight gold medals and setting the foundation for a flourishing wine business.  

The Stockman’s Ridge Story has since evolved, with new plantings in the richer soils of the Orange Wine Region, Jonathan is still very connected to the land, wrangling vines to produce cool climate wines of substance, that tell the story of the land; a story well shared after the day’s work is done, with mates around a campfire or dinner table.