Introduction

Nestled in wooded hills in one of the most picturesque parts of the Clare Valley, Skillogalee is a family-owned and operated boutique winery, established in 1970 and producing a range of world-class, hand-made wines. 

Background

Skillogalee was established in 1970 with the first wines released in 1976.  The 1978 dry riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map!  The wines are produced almost exclusively from grapes grown on our own vineyard and styles include crisp dry whites (riesling, gewürztraminer and chardonnay), a full flavoured rosé, rich, full-bodied reds (shiraz, cabernet sauvignon and blends) and some luscious fortified wines.

Vineyards

The vineyards were planted in the early 1970s on what was then, at almost 500 metres above sea level, one of the highest vineyards in South Australia.  The rows are planted on the contour in shallow stony soils mainly on steep eastern facing slopes.  The vines are hand-pruned and the fruit is mainly hand-picked.  Yields are extremely low but the vineyard produces intense flavours and aromas and deep, richly-coloured reds.  Kangaroos are our major pests – significant numbers can be found around vintage time, when the hills are dry and brown, camping in the vineyards and feasting on the ripe fruit!

Wine Styles and Winemaking

Skillogalee has a small modern, winery, crushing only around 250 tonnes, giving us the opportunity to hand-make individual wines in small batches.  Fruit handling and vinification are undertaken using the best of traditional and modern technologies - modern winemaking techniques for whites, to preserve the fruit aromas and flavours, and more traditional techniques for reds – the use of open fermenters and basket pressing to maximise flavour and colour without over-extraction.  We focus heavily on gentle fruit handling throughout and our winery hygiene programs are meticulous. In this way, we use the minimum amount of sulphur to keep wines safe from spoilage.

With the same quality issues in mind, we have moved to the use of “stelvin” screw caps on all our table wines to maximise quality and longevity for the consumer.

All Skillogalee wines are vegetarian and vegan friendly

Skillogalee and the Environment

Whilst not claiming the “organic” label, Skillogalee vineyards are operated on a sustainable farming basis.  No pesticides are used, minimal cultivation is practiced to conserve organic matter, cover crops are direct drilled and mown in spring, minimal irrigation water is used, grape marc and stalks are recycled.

In the winery design, maximum use has been made of gravity for wine movements, water heating uses gas, all brine lines and cooling jackets are insulated, and waste water is treated and recycled.

Restaurant & Accommodation

Skillogalee also operates a nationally acclaimed winery restaurant open 7 days a week for a la carte lunches, and a range of self contained B&B accommodation premises within a stone’s throw of the cellar door