Founded in 1989, Darling Park today thrives under the stewardship of winemaker and manager Judy Gifford. The mature 1.5ha Home Vineyard on Red Hill Rd is farmed along organic lines, yields are low and over time the clonal and varietal mix has been refined to accommodate only the most site-suitable material. Close, long-term arrangements with dedicated growers supplements the Home Vineyard fruit. Chief among these is a meticulous clone and row selection from the revered Moorooduc vineyard of Hugh Robinson, with fruit being purchased based on acreage, not yield, safeguarding Judy’s insistence on low crops.

Judy’s winemaking is light of touch, responsive rather than prescriptive, mindful that each vintage, each variety and each site has a narrative. This confidence in allowing the fruit to express its intrinsic character, with winemaking supporting and framing, mark these wines as elegant varietal expressions of great purity and regional authenticity.