Mount Pleasant Wines

Rosehill

Head and Shoulders Above the Rest

First planted by O’Shea in 1946, Rosehill’s rare ancient volcanic soil structure, uniquely high elevation and North Easterly aspect has it dubbed one of the Hunter Valley’s elite vineyards, dedicated to producing world-class Shiraz.

The Story

1945

Maurice O’Shea purchased the Rosehill site during the Second World War from Emily Dunn. It was originally selected for its visible similarities to the Old Hill & Old Paddock vineyards sharing similar elevation and soil structure.

1946

Rosehill was planted and dedicated to Shiraz (then referred to as Hermitage). It was O’Shea’s firm belief that this site would provide the perfect growing conditions and ripening times to produce full-flavored red fruit.

1965

Rosehill is extended by then Chief Winemaker Brian Walsh who learned under Maurice O’Shea. He maintained Rosehill’s dedication to Shiraz but the additional blocks were planted more closely together thanks to the improvement in trellis design and cultivation. These vines providing their own unique character.

Rosehill Location

Pokolbin, Lower Hunter Valley, NSW

Elevation

60-100m

Varieties

Shiraz (27ha)
Mencia (.6ha)
Touriga (1ha) 

Vine Orientation

Mainly East-West; some areas
of the vineyard are planted
North -South to the contours
of the land to allow good
sunlight.

Vines Per Hectare

2000

Row Spacing

3.35m

Vine Spacing

1.5m

Harvest

February

Irrigation

Drip Irrigation

Trellising

Vertical Shoot Positioning and Cordon Ballerina — ensuring maximum sunlight penetration.

Soil Type

Rich Volcanic Loam.