A Century in the Making
Jack’s Block – 100 Years of Vines, 150 Years of Stories
There’s a lot of history growing on the Stanton & Killeen estate—but few parts of it are as significant as Jack’s Block.
Planted in 1921 by John Charles Stanton (4th generation), known affectionately as Jack, this part of the estate is home to two remarkable parcels of vines: 1.5 hectares of Shiraz and 2.8 hectares of Muscat. While the Shiraz tends to grab the spotlight, the Muscat has quietly been producing some of our most expressive and complex fruit for over a century.
The Man Behind the Name
By the 1920s, third-generation John Richard Stanton had expanded the family business with the development of Park View vineyard. His son, Jack Stanton, helped steer the family winery through some of its most challenging and transformative years.
After serving in the Australian Army during World War I, Jack returned home to Rutherglen and with the help of his parents purchased land for a new venture. His wife, Ethel, named it Gracerray, after her sister and the nearby Murray River. The Gracerray estate is the current site of the Stanton & Killeen winery.
Gracerray saw its first vintage in 1925 and quickly became the heart of our fortified wine production. Jack built the winery himself, using second-hand materials and whatever he could find on the property—resourcefulness that became part of the winery’s DNA. The vines he planted, including those in Jack’s Block, have become living links to that post-war pioneering spirit.
A Vintage Worth Waiting For
When the 2021 fruit came off Jack’s Block, we knew it was something special. Not only had the vines turned 100, but we were also preparing for an even bigger celebration: Stanton & Killeen’s 150th anniversary in 2025. So instead of releasing the wine straight away, we chose to wait—saving it for a year that could honour both milestones.
In 2025, we celebrated with a special dinner at the winery, surrounded by friends, family, and long-time customers who have become both. It was a night filled with stories, shared memories, and some treasured museum wines—including a first official taste of the 2021 Jack’s Block Shiraz. A true moment of reflection and gratitude, and a toast to the next chapter.
A Century in the Making
A century in the making, this 100-year-old vine Shiraz is a rare and extraordinary release, marking both the vineyard’s centennial and Stanton & Killeen’s 150-year legacy.
Rich and full-bodied, the 2021 Jack’s Block Shiraz is layered with blackcurrant, dark chocolate, and coffee bean, woven with savoury spice and firm, elegant tannins. It’s a wine built to age, made from vines that have seen it all.
Limited Collector’s Release
To mark this moment in our story, we’ve created a limited-edition collector’s release—just 100 handcrafted wooden box sets, each containing six bottles of the 2021 Jack’s Block Shiraz. A true collector’s piece and a tribute to the legacy of Jack, Gracerray, and the vines he planted more than a century ago.
Now Available
The 2021 Jack’s Block Shiraz and the limited collector’s box sets are now available at our cellar door and online. Only 100 sets exist—and when they’re gone, they’re gone.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to Jack, to 100 years of vines, and to 150 years of Stanton & Killeen.
