Best in Show at the Global Fine Wine Awards!

Our story with Riesling began when the first vines were planted at our Muddy Water vineyard in the late 1990s. More than two decades on, those same vines have matured, their roots reaching deep, their yields naturally smaller, their fruit more concentrated and expressive. It’s this depth and character that has just been recognised on the world stage, with our 2024 Organic Riesling awarded Trophy for Best Riesling & Champion White Wine of Show at the prestigious Global Fine Wine Challenge in Australia.

What the Judges Thought

95 - 'Fresh honeyed, herbal, cool-climate aroma. Lovely burst of sweetness, delicate and refined, high potential.'

95 -  'Apple, floral and honeyed nose. Juicy and honeyed palate. Freshness and lime zest, yellow apple and apricot. Generous and pure fruited. Balanced sweetness.'

95 - 'Pristine apple sorbet, lemon, lime, honey. Palate has a rapier acidity but the touch of sweetness gives a really beautiful succulence to the flavours. Surprisingly lengthy for such a delicate wine.'

96 - 'Restrained bouquet of lemon and wet stone. Medium-dry, zesty and fresh with mouth-watering acidity and lovely persistence. Excellent balance.'

Why We Love It

This wine is just plain delicious, vibrant citrus and crisp apple, a touch of blossom, and that refreshing finish that keeps you coming back for more. Is this our best Riesling yet? We think it could be. What we do know is that it has all the hallmarks of a wine that will reward time. Bright and pure in its youth, but with the structure and balance to age gracefully for many years to come.

Viticulturist's Notes

The 2023/24 growing season was one of contrasts, delivering wines of real character and class. Spring began gently, with fewer frost worries than usual, though wild winds in October kept our vineyard team busy tidying fallen trees and fixing fences. Despite some drama in the weather, the vines pushed through flowering in late November under dry conditions, which naturally reduced yields and gave us smaller bunches.Summer turned up the heat. From December to the end of February, the vineyard received only 39 mm of rain and experienced 18 days with temperatures above 30°C, with a peak of 39.2°C in early February. These hot, dry days, balanced by cooler nights, allowed the grapes to develop intense flavours while retaining their freshness.Harvest came in fits and starts, with careful, small picks stretched over several weeks. Lower yields (around 3 tonnes per hectare) meant less fruit overall, but what we did harvest was superb in quality, concentrated, vibrant, and beautifully balanced.

Winemaker's Notes

Our Riesling is a true reflection of the land it comes from, drawn from five estate blocks that span both clay and limestone soils. Each block was hand-picked over the course of 10 days at just the right moment, capturing optimum ripeness while balancing freshness and energy. The fruit was whole bunch pressed, with each parcel pressed slowly to preserve the purest juice. Fermentation was allowed to unfold gently, and the wine then rested on lees for three months to build subtle texture and depth. Finally, the parcels were carefully blended to bring together the unique characters of the vineyard into one expressive estate wine.