JOURNEY THROUGH THE YEARS
In the heart of McLaren Vale, South Australia, Penny's Hill Estate is more than just a vineyard; it's a living piece of history. The estate's origins date back to 1855 and centre around the historic 'Ingleburne' homestead, a regional landmark with a rich pioneering heritage.
1855 - 1996
Thomas Goss (1810–1890) and his family were among the early settlers of McLaren Vale.
In 1849, Thomas migrated to South Australia from Devonshire, England, with his wife Mary Ann (1813–1891) and their eight children. After finding success on the Victorian goldfields, he returned to establish a farming property in the heart of McLaren Vale, naming it Gedney.
In 1855, he built a two-storey stone homestead called Ingleburne — a building that still stands today as a local landmark and a quiet tribute to his pioneering spirit.
Across five generations, the Goss family farmed the land, growing hay and raising sheep on the estate.
1996 - 2013
In the 1990s, local South Australian Tony Parkinson brought new life to the region’s winemaking legacy.
In 1991, he planted 32 hectares of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache vines on Penny’s Hill Road, east of McLaren Vale, and soon after launched the Penny’s Hill wine brand.
In 1993, he purchased a second site on Malpas Road — 17.8 hectares of newly planted Merlot and Shiraz — adjacent to the Goss family’s original estate, naming it Goss Corner in tribute to Thomas Goss.
By 1996, Parkinson had acquired a third site from the Goss family: the historic Ingleburne homestead itself. He restored the barn and stables on the property and established a welcoming cellar door and restaurant — a place where historical charm meets premium, estate-grown McLaren Vale wines.
For those interested in exploring the Penny’s Hill Estate sister brands, you can view them below.
2013 - 2022
In 2013, Alexia Roberts was appointed Chief Winemaker for Penny’s Hill, The Black Chook and Thomas Goss Wines. Following the establishment of Penny’s Hill, founder Tony Parkinson introduced both The Black Chook and Thomas Goss labels — brands that quietly expanded the estate’s reach into global markets.
From the outset, Alexia brought a contemporary, site-driven approach to winemaking, crafting expressive wines that reflect the character and diversity of McLaren Vale. While Penny’s Hill became known for its estate grown releases, The Black Chook and Thomas Goss evolved into successful export focused brands, gaining recognition in markets around the world.
In the early years, visitors to the Penny’s Hill Estate could taste across all three ranges — a showcase of regional variety and winemaking craft. Over time, the wines have received numerous accolades, with one continuing to stand out: when the 2014 Penny’s Hill ‘Edwards Road’ Cabernet was awarded the ‘World’s Best Cabernet' at the 2016 Concours International des Cabernets in France - it was just a glimpse of the high praise for Penny’s Hill winemaking still to come.
A NEW CHAPTER
In 2022, after thirty-four years of building three successful global wine brands — Penny’s Hill, The Black Chook and Thomas Goss — founder Tony Parkinson sold the Penny’s Hill Estate to esteemed South Australian winemaker Warren Randall, Executive Chairman and Proprietor of the Randall Wine Group.
With no succession plan in place, the transition marked a new chapter for the business. Under Randall’s ownership, the estate is set to undergo a significant redevelopment, similar in vision to the transformation of his renowned Seppeltsfield winery in the Barossa Valley.
The acquisition has also provided Penny’s Hill access to some of the region’s most exceptional vineyard sites through Randall Wine Group’s luxury vineyard holdings. This includes the historic Yeenunga vineyard in the Seaview subregion, now the source of the estate’s most awarded limited production Icon Grenache and Shiraz wines.
ACCLAIM HIGHLIGHTS
Alexia Roberts, who has been instrumental to the winery’s success since 2013 — first as Chief Winemaker, then as General Manager from 2022 — was promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Randall Wine Group in 2024. Her leadership continues to shape the evolution of Penny’s Hill’s wine portfolio, supported by Senior Winemaker Paul Carpenter and access to the Group’s premium vineyard holdings across McLaren Vale.
Alongside a renewed focus on single vineyard Grenache and Shiraz, the brand underwent a complete refresh, unveiling a contemporary new look that reflects its future direction while honouring its past. Sustainability, a core pillar of Penny’s Hill’s vineyard philosophy since 1988, was formally recognised in 2023 with certification by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. That same year, Mediterranean varieties were introduced to suit the region’s evolving climate.
In 2024, Penny’s Hill received significant international recognition, including ‘Best in Show’ at the Decanter World Wine Awards for the debut 2023 Penny’s Hill ‘Yeenunga’ Grenache, as well as ‘Best Wine of Show’ at the 2024 McLaren Vale Wine Show and First Place at the James Halliday Grenache Challenge for the 2023 Penny’s Hill ‘Single Vineyard’ Grenache.
