Kirkton Estate

Kirkton Estate was the first vineyard to be established in the Hunter Valley by John Busby in 1830. John, his wife Sarah and children Katherine and James had journeyed to Port Jackson, Sydney from Leith, Scotland aboard the Triton in February of 1824.

Kirkton’s historic importance grew from its intrinsic association with James Busby, (son of John) and its role in being the incubator for what remains the largest and most diverse viticulture assessment project undertaken in Australia.

After an extensive study tour of Europe’s wine growing regions, James arrived back in the Colony of New South Wales in the early 1830s with a collection of some 500 vine cuttings drawn from collections and private plantings. It was a replica set from these cuttings which established the Hunter Valley’s claims to viticultural fame. By 1840, there were 500 acres of established vineyard in the region.

The Busby family’s vineyard at “Kirkton”, together with their numerous publications on Viticulture and Winemaking, bestowed upon James recognition as the “Father of the Australian Wine Industry”.

Wines