Thousand Candles

In ’10, Stuart Proud and Bill Downie led the acquisition of the 450ha Killara Estate and launched Thousand Candles from the ’11 vintage. The property, 65km from Melbourne, is a dramatic one, plunging from a height of several hundred metres above the Yarra River down to its flood plains, and comprising cattle pastures, native bushland and vineyards first planted in ’95. When Bill left in ’16, Stuart assumed the winemaking duties alongside his viticultural responsibilities and has led the project ever since. Viticulture remains the cornerstone of Stuart’s approach, with soil health and biological diversity paramount. From estate-grown fruit comes 2 tiers of wine: the Gathering Field range, made from selected parcels as either blends or varietal wines; and the premium single-vineyard range. -JAMES HALLIDAY