About the vineyard
Domaine Razal is carved out of 350 acres of dense eucalyptus bushland in Lauriston, 15km west of Kyneton in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges.
At an altitude of 600m above sea level, 25 acres of vines grow with the struggle of some of the toughest climatic conditions, making it one of Australia’s most elevated and marginal sites.
Planted over 55 years ago, the original vines still flourish in the cool-climate region, producing the low-yield, intensely concentrated fruit that has earned the vineyard its storied history and reputation.
The History
Initial vine plantings in the Macedon Ranges date back to the 1860s, but 1968 marked the region’s renaissance.
It was then that the first grape vines were planted on this Lauriston site, the pioneering vision of celebrated Melbourne restaurateur Tom Lazar, who named his vineyard Virgin Hills Estate.
His first vintage was produced in 1971, and Lazar’s Virgin Hills soon gained international acclaim for its distinctive red blend, with each vintage aiming to rival the Bordeaux wines he admired.
Ownership passed to Marcel Gilbert in 1979, and under his stewardship, the vineyard further solidified its reputation. Lazar (pictured above in his Virgin Hills cellar) remained as winemaker until 1983. After a period of corporate ownership by Vincorp, in 2000 the Hunter Valley’s Hope Estate took over.
A fresh start
New owners Stephen and Kerri Stack purchased the vineyard in 2021 and have been restoring it since: focused on the rejuvenation of its 25-acres of established vines, and the original brick winery and famed underground cellar, with hopes to return the vineyard to its once iconic status.
In a nod to Tom Lazar, they have renamed the estate Domaine Razal.
In October 2024, a new chapter began as Domaine Razal released its first vintage (2022), and the first wine in three decades to be estate-grown, hand-picked, processed and bottled on site — reviving one of Australia’s most special vineyards.
Shop Our Wines
The 2024 Chardonnay reflects a cool Macedon Ranges growing season, producing a wine of clarity, tension and quiet complexity.
White stone fruit and citrus sit at the core, with notes of lemon curd and pear, shaped by gentle lees influence and 100% neutral oak, allowing the fruit and site to speak clearly. The palate is finely textured and medium-bodied, with bright natural acidity providing drive and length.
Balanced and composed, the wine shows purity of fruit, restraint and a strong sense of place. Approachable now, yet structured to evolve gracefully over the next 3-5 years.
100% neutral French Oak, 13.0% alc. Unfiltered.
🥇🍷 Gold Medal Winner at the 2025 Victorian Wine Show
Our 2024 growing season produced a compelling Syrah of vibrant aromatics, beautifully poised fruit and fine, layered structure.
Lifted cherry fruit and red berries lead the nose, layered with white pepper, dried herbs and subtle savoury nuance.
The palate is medium-bodied and focused, with vibrant red fruit, fresh acidity and fine, well-defined tannins providing length and clarity. Elegant rather than overt, this Syrah shows precision and energy, standing as a celebration of our cool climate, drawn from our mature vines.
Approachable now with decanting, yet structured to age gracefully over the next decade or more.
100% French oak, 30% new, using a mix of barriques and puncheons. 100% destemmed. Alc. 13.0% Unfined and unfiltered.
🥈🍷 Silver Medal winner – 2025 Victorian Wine Show
The 2024 Heritage Blend reflects the depth and continuity of the Domaine Razal vineyard, bringing together Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec and Merlot in tribute to the founding Virgin Hills style.
Shaped by altitude, varied soils and mature vines, the wine honours the site’s history while expressing the season with clarity and balance. A core of dark cherry, blackberry and plum is layered with savoury notes of dried herbs, graphite and subtle spice, with restrained oak adding texture without weight.
The palate is medium-bodied and finely structured, with fresh acidity and well-defined tannins providing poise and length. Composed rather than powerful, the wine shows harmony between fruit, structure and savoury complexity.
Approachable now with decanting, yet structured to evolve gracefully over the next decade or more.
100% French oak, 18% new, matured for 14 months in a mix of barriques, puncheons and foudres.
Unfined and unfiltered.
Sourced from heritage Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in 1968 in the Macedon Ranges, the 2024 vintage reflects a cool season of slow, even ripening.
A fragrant nose of boysenberry and blackberry leads to a medium-bodied palate that speaks clearly of place, where mature vines provide a uniquely complex structure. Firm, graphite-edged tannins and fresh acidity carry the wine to a long, savoury finish.
Decanting is recommended in its youth, a hallmark of a wine that will reward both enjoyment now and graceful cellaring over the next decade or more.
A classic and truly distinctive expression of cool-climate Cabernet Sauvignon.
100% neutral French oak (225 L barriques). Alc. 13.0% Unfined and unfiltered.
