MICHAEL HINCE
SURPRISINGLY, given its reputation for sublime shiraz, my first Heathcote red was an early 1970’s cabernet from Paul Osika’s Graytown cellar door. Subsequently an occasional Zuber Estate, a Tudhope Heathcote Winery or two, a flight from Wild Duck Creek, a modicum of Mt Ida (sadly, one of its original co-owners, artist Leonard French, died recently) and many a Jasper Hill hastened my conversion to and love of Heathcote shiraz. Even hardened whisky drinkers like Jeff Kennett succumb to a glass or three of Whistling Eagle now and then!