In 1921, a 26-year-old returned soldier named Jack Stanton planted a block of Shiraz and Muscat vines on his newly acquired Gracerray estate in Rutherglen. He built the winery himself with second-hand materials and whatever he could find on the property, and he worked those vines through drought, depression and decades of change.
Jack never missed a vintage until his final years. He lived to 94.
The vines he planted in 1921 are still producing. They are now over 100 years old, making them among the oldest Shiraz vines in Rutherglen. The wine they make, Jack’s Block Shiraz, is one of the most significant wines Stanton & Killeen produces: released only in the best vintages, only when the wine is considered truly worthy of the name.
In 2026, the 2023 Jack's Block Shiraz was named in Halliday's Top 100 Wines, ranking in the top 20 best Australian red wines over $50. Reviewer Jeni Port awarded 96 points, describing it as having "deep complexity" with a "spice-driven lift" of violet florals, well-ripened plums, dark berries, cassis, anise, dark chocolate, earth and cedary oak, carried by sturdy tannins. Her conclusion: "it will live long and mature nobly."
From Fortified Wine to Table Wine: The Jack’s Block Story
Although Jack’s Block vines have been producing fruit since Jack’s first vintage in 1925, it would be almost seven decades before that fruit became a table wine. The reason is simple: for most of S&K’s history, fortified wine was what Australia drank. It was cheap, strong and kept well. Jack’s entire winemaking career was built around fortified production, as was his son-in-law Norman Killeen’s when he joined the business in the 1950s.
It wasn’t until the 1970s, following a remarkable shift in Australian drinking habits, that Stanton & Killeen began producing table wines at all. After 50 years as a fortified-only winery, red table wine was suddenly in demand and S&K responded. The Jack’s Block fruit, which had quietly been going into our Vintage Fortifieds all along, was eventually recognised as worthy of a single vineyard table wine in its own right. The first Jack’s Block Shiraz was released from the 1993 vintage, and the label has been used sparingly ever since.
A Rare Relic: 1990 Jack’s Block Vintage Fortified Magnum — $345
Before there was a Jack’s Block Shiraz, there was a Jack’s Block Vintage Fortified. In 2026, just two magnums of the 1990 vintage were released, making this one of the rarest bottles in the S&K range.
A 1990 Vintage Fortified from vines that were already nearly 70 years old at harvest is a genuinely extraordinary thing: more than three decades of slow development in barrel, concentrated fruit from one of our most significant blocks, and a history that connects you directly to Jack’s era of winemaking. This is a serious collector’s piece and not one to deliberate over for too long.
$345 per magnum. Only two available in 2026.
[LINK TO 1990 JACK’S BLOCK VINTAGE FORTIFIED MAGNUM]
Jack’s Block Shiraz: The Table Wine
The first Jack’s Block Shiraz was released from the 1993 vintage, more than 70 years after Jack planted the block. Since then, the label has been used sparingly: only the best vintages make the cut, and only when the wine is considered truly worthy of the name. Currently, three vintages are available, along with a selection of magnums from earlier releases.
How to get your hands on it
The 2023 Jack's Block is available now, but not in large quantities. A Halliday Top 20 listing has a way of changing that very quickly.
2021 Jack's Block Shiraz | $65 per bottle
The centenary release, held back for the winery's 150th anniversary. Rich and full-bodied with blackcurrant, dark chocolate and coffee bean. Drink now or cellar with confidence.
[LINK TO 2021 JACK'S BLOCK]
2022 Jack's Block Shiraz | $65 per bottle
Deep colour, dark fruit and a savoury backbone. A wine for the cellar and the table in equal measure.
[LINK TO 2022 JACK'S BLOCK]
2023 Jack's Block Shiraz | $60 per bottle
The Halliday Top 100 wine. 96 points. Approachable now, built to age beautifully.
[LINK TO 2023 JACK'S BLOCK]
2023 Collector's Wooden Box — 6 x 2023 Jack's Block Shiraz | $420
Six bottles of the award-winning 2023 vintage in a handcrafted wooden box. Each bottle individually wrapped. Perfect for the cellar or as a gift. Limited numbers available.
[LINK TO 2023 COLLECTOR'S BOX]
Mixed Six-Pack — 2021, 2022 & 2023 | $420
Taste the evolution of Jack's Block across three consecutive vintages, presented in a handcrafted wooden box. A genuinely special way to explore this remarkable block over time. Each bottle individually wrapped. Limited numbers available.
[LINK TO COLLECTOR'S SIX-PACK]
2021 Collector's Wooden Box — 6 x 2021 Jack's Block Shiraz | $450
Six bottles of the centenary 2021 vintage in a handcrafted wooden box. Each bottle individually wrapped. Signed and numbered. Limited to 100 boxes.
[LINK TO 2021 COLLECTOR'S BOX]
Jack's Block Magnums — 2018 and 2019 | $159.95 each
Jack's Block in 1.5 litre format, built for long ageing and special occasions.
[LINK TO MAGNUMS]
About Jack’s Block
Jack’s Block sits on the Gracerray estate at Stanton & Killeen in Rutherglen, North East Victoria. The block comprises 1.5 hectares of Shiraz and 2.8 hectares of Muscat, both planted by Jack Stanton in 1921. The Muscat from this block goes into some of S&K’s most expressive fortified wines; the Shiraz, when conditions are right, becomes this wine.
Jack’s Block Shiraz is only released in the best vintages. It is, in every sense, a wine the vines have to earn.
Shop all available Jack’s Block wines at www.stantonandkilleen.com.au
