With an environmental science background John Stokes planted his Wood Park vineyard amongst regenerating natural bush land in the foothills of the Victorian Alps in 1989. At that time, wines in the King Valley were being made by the first wave of winemakers predominantly, Brown Brothers. Through the 1980s, a second wave of winemakers was emerging.
John Stokes discovered wine making from literally stomping on a small vat of his cabernet/shiraz grapes. It really was a surprise, to win best overall wine in the local wine show. Since then, Wood Park has earned its place in the forefront of that second wave of wineries from the King Valley with a strong following of supporters.
The vineyard is managed with a commitment to minimal chemical use. Wine making is a mix of traditional and modern techniques including plenty of hand plunging in open fermenters and use of wild yeasts. It is pleasing to see that they have made the foray into making some no added preservative wines.
