About Joshua's Fault

The winery

Joshua’s Fault is located to the west of Gundaroo on the NSW Southern Tablelands, South Eastern Australia. It is 2.5 hours drive south west of Sydney and just 30 minutes north of the nation's capital, Canberra. The physical features of the area are the result of uplift of portions of the Mesozoic landscape by movements along fault lines during the Cainozoic period. Joshua’s Fault is positioned between two such fault lines. Gently sloping with sedimentary clay loams, the site provides a perfect aspect for quality wine production and this terroir distinguishes itself in the wines.

The vineyard was planted down to Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in 1995, with the first few years of production sold to premium wine producers. We believe that to make a great wine, you need premium quality fruit. The 4.5ha vineyard is as carefully tended as a kitchen garden. The vines are nurtured on an almost individual basis and the reward is premium fruit bursting with flavour. Our understanding of the terroir and the viticultural requirements of our varieties is the key to the high quality of our fruit.

The winemaker

Chris Joshua started his career in the wine business in the early eighties, working vintages with several of the original Canberra region wineries. In 1991 Chris graduated from Charles Sturt University with an Associate Diploma in Grape and Wine Production.

A period in premium wine sales took him to every major wine region in Australia, as well as to Italy and France. Tasting the great wines of Burgundy and Bordeaux and observing their climate and viticultural practices, Chris knew that the varieties of these regions would translate perfectly to the Canberra District. Seeing... tasting... learning... tasting..!

By 1995 Chris was ready to plant vines and together with wife Sophie established the Joshua’s Fault vineyard.