At the foot of the majestic Schlossberg hill, in a setting of vines and roses, the Domaine Weinbach "wine stream", named after the small stream that crosses it, was built in 1612 by the Capuchin monks. Sold as national property during the French Revolution, the Estate was acquired in 1898 by the Faller brothers who passed it on to their son and nephew Théo. A great figure in the Alsatian vineyard and ardent promoter of its recognition as an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, Théo Faller works for the quality of Alsace wines and the development of their incomparable terroirs and grape varieties. In love with his property, he develops it, enlarges it and embellishes it. From 1979, his wife Colette and his daughters Catherine and Laurence demonstrated the same passion for the great wines of Alsace and the same unfailing attachment to quality. Since 2016, Catherine Faller has been running the Domaine with her sons Eddy and Théo. Cuvée Théo Riesling comes exclusively from the monopole Le Clos des Capucins. The clos is well protected from winds by the surrounding hills and by the walls that enclose it. The soils consist of sand, alluvial pebbles and granitic gravel. Here, the low-cropping vines typically offer up a supple and pithy Riesling that is beautifully accessible when young - a reflection of these sandy soils. As per all Weinbach dry Rieslings, this was whole-bunch pressed, fermented without any yeast additions and matured in very old oak casks for 10 months. Biodynamic. It’s beautifully ripe yet crisp, with flawless clarity and vibrating citric freshness. Expect waves of crunchy citrus pith, florals and stone-fruit juiciness, excellent pulp and precision and driven compact length. Finishing on a mineral/umami note, this is a brilliant Riesling—arguably the most electric young Théo Riesling we have seen for some time. All class. Beautifully ripe yet crisp, with flawless clarity and vibrating citric freshness. Expect waves of crunchy citrus pith, florals and stone-fruit juiciness, excellent pulp and precision and driven compact length. Finishing on a mineral/umami note, this is a brilliant Riesling.

At the foot of the majestic Schlossberg hill, in a setting of vines and roses, the Domaine Weinbach "wine stream", named after the small stream that crosses it, was built in 1612 by the Capuchin monks. Sold as national property during the French Revolution, the Estate was acquired in 1898 by the Faller brothers who passed it on to their son and nephew Théo. A great figure in the Alsatian vineyard and ardent promoter of its recognition as an Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, Théo Faller works for the quality of Alsace wines and the development of their incomparable terroirs and grape varieties. In love with his property, he develops it, enlarges it and embellishes it. From 1979, his wife Colette and his daughters Catherine and Laurence demonstrated the same passion for the great wines of Alsace and the same unfailing attachment to quality. Since 2016, Catherine Faller has been running the Domaine with her sons Eddy and Théo. Primarily responsible for the Weinbach we know today, Catherine Faller’s mother, Colette Faller, was one of the legends of Alsatian wine. Sadly, Madame Faller passed away in early 2015 and, like her daughter Laurence and husband Théo before her, is now immortalised by a wine bearing her name. This comes from 50-60-year-old vines in the Bonnes Terres terroir, lower down on the Schlossberg slope, where the soils are deeper and sandier. The fruit here also tends to be picked a touch later. Accordingly, the register of flavours here (running from white flowers through to tropical fruits and citrus fruit zest) is more intense, yet the wine balances its power with great freshness and verve. Even though it comes entirely from Schlossberg, some of the vines fall outside the Grand Cru boundary, which is why it cannot be labelled as a Grand Cru. The domaine has now applied for Premier Cru status. But no matter, it certainly offers Grand Cru quality in the glass. Raised for 14 months in old oak casks, it’s statuesque and full of life, packed with the joie de vivre of citrus and stone fruits, salty minerals and a flicker of white flowers. The texture is generous yet stony and compact, and the palate glows with energy and tension with tingling rocky minerality and a nip of bite on the lingering, mouth-watering finish. Biodynamic.

Product Information: Rieslingfreak No.7 Clare Valley Fortified Riesling will remind you of good white port, but somehow with Riesling aromatics and flavours. There's a hint of nutty oak on the nose, supporting aromas and flavours of sultanas, caramel and butter scotch, orange peel and dried fruits. The wine is a perfect match for a sweet dessert, chocolate or a plate of cheese. Grapes for the No.7 are sourced from the family property, White Hutt, Clare Valley. The juice is partially fermented to 7-8 baume (approx. 140g/L sugar) then fortified with a neutral brandy spirit. Stored in old oak casks to develop for 2 to 4 years. The wine was bottled at three years of age, expressing many of the flavours and aromas of a good fortified Riesling. Maker: Established by John Hughes in 2009, Rieslingfreak started as a passion-project, was born from a long-running love for the Riesling variety. Today the portfolio has grown and evolved to include 19 different Riesling styles! Since the beginning, Rieslingfreak's mission has been to produce quality Rieslings that best represent both style and region. They craft Rieslings that reveal the qualities of essential South Australian wine regions, including Clare Valley, Eden Valley and Polish Hill River. It's easy to get the hang of, each of the Rieslingfreak wines is assigned a number, and the number represents both the region where the grape is grown, and the style of the Riesling in the bottle. The Rieslingfreak collection includes dry, sweet, sparkling, and fortified Riesling styles. There are not many grape varieties in the world that provides a winemaker the same level of versatility that Riesling does. To drive it home, Rieslingfreak’s Belinda Hughes, speaks to the versatility of riesling, “I believe Riesling to be the ultimate versatile variety... from dry to sweet, sparkling to fortified, there is almost nothing riesling can’t do – and do well!" Not only that, the variety has natural capability to hold elevated acid levels making it uniquely suited to delicate dry wines as well as perfectly balanced sweeter styles, and also imparts longevity and enables long-term cellaring. The other thing Riesling does well is its ability to effortless accept oak. To argue oak in Riesling, Anne Hughes, John's mum and source of Clare Valley Riesling, takes the mic. While many Australian makers see oak as an affront in riesling, playing it safe to preserve fruit purity at all costs, the reality is that oak is very traditional. “While the use of oak and wild fermentation is relatively rare in Aussie riesling, the Germans have been using oak vessels with riesling for centuries,” says Hughes. Most of the vats used at Rieslingfreak are so old, the oak flavour in the wines is barely perceptible, this subtle influence imparts a distinctive elegance and an old-world charm that truly sets their wines apart from the rest. Riesling Freak are also boundary pushing, respecting tradition, they've learned the rules to break them. While they certainly embrace the classic steely Aussie style and have paid homage to textured German styles, they go further aiming to push the boundaries of what Riesling means in this country. Anne Hughes says, "Riesling is remarkably well suited as a canvas for more exuberant expressions." The variety's high natural acidity is the key factor, that makes it perfect for oak fermentation and maturation - a vinification more commonly association to Burgundian Chardonnay. Anne explains it best, “natural preservation due to low pH and the delicacy of the base wine allows secondary characters to shine. Why can’t riesling be as textural and complex as a top-shelf barrel fermented chardonnay? Why can’t the winemaker embrace the bolder flair of Antoni Gaudi, rather than the restraint of Da Vinci in creating a riesling of great beauty?” You can find this style, that blurs the line between old and new world in Riesling No.1. Only made in the good years, in a way that distinguishes it from any other Rieslingfreak wine. This wine has been wild fermented in a large-format oak barrel, producing a Riesling with texture and unprecedented complexity; combining subtle, spicy oak notes with delicate tropical and heady floral aromas, strewn together by tight, linear acidity that will drive this wine many years into the future and definitely one for the Rieslingfreaks among us. Vineyard: At Rieslingfreak, grapes are sourced from Clare Valley, Polish Hill River and Eden Valley. Each of these regions and specific vineyards are selected based on their own individual microclimate, the history of the vineyard and the grower’s commitment to their vineyards. Their Clare Valley vineyard is the source of No.7 but also Rieslings - No.3, No.5, No.6, No.9, No.33. Situated in White Hutt and is my family vineyard, owned by Richard and Anne Hughes. This is approximately 5.8 kms north of the Clare township, and is situated 500m above sea level. On their Clare Valley property, they have five different Riesling sites. Each site has a different soil profile, where they use multiple clones on the sites. The majority of the sites have deep red clay, over limestone, providing a fruit driven style of Riesling. Nose - Porty Sultanas, Orange Peel, Butter Scotch Bouquet is straw-like and savoury, accented with orange peel, with a suggestion of nutty oak. Palate - Dried Fruits, Caramel, Zest Flavours of sultanas, caramel and butter scotch, orange peel and dried fruits Finish - Nutty Oak, Citrus Pith, Honey The sweetness is quite moderate. The phenolics and apparently high-alcohol accentuate an appealing bitterness on the finish.

Product Information: In contrast to its better known sibling, The Pierro L.T.C, the Fire Gully Sauvignon Blanc Semillon is unoaked, has more Sauvignon Blanc (70%) and is made in an early drinking style to emphasise its aromatics, freshness and vibrant fruit flavours. In the glass rocket-like pepperiness and jasmine florals launch out of the glass. It's deceptively generous, but and herbal nuances and acidity keep it bright and tight on the palate. Overall it's fresh, frenetic and mineral. Best enjoyed with a freshly shucked oyster in the other hand. Maker: You can find Fire Gully Farm & Vineyard right in the heart of Willyabrup, Margaret River. Thanks to their mature vines, ancient gravelly loam soils, vine age, regenerative farming practices and coastal influence, the site is truly unique and creates wines that are a reflection of site and place. Owned, produced and tended to by the team at Pierro Margaret River Vineyards. The property got its name, after two large bush fires, in 1952 and 1970, ravaged the gully in the centre of the block. The Fire Gully vineyard is well-hidden from the road with a long, narrow strip flowing back to the main paddocks: so it's pretty much unknown. It is one of the Willyabrup region's most attractive and spectacular vineyards with views from the higher blocks looking over the dam, vineyards and natural bushland. From 1946 the property was owned and run by Ellis and Margaret Butcher, some of the original pioneers of the region, who planted vines on their farm in 1988. It was purchased by Michael Peterkin of Pierro in 1998. With Michael Peterkin planting further vines on the property in the following years. Fire Gully is adjacent to Moss Wood and a kilometre from Pierro Vineyards. It is influenced by the brook system that runs through the property and out to the coast four kilometres away. The sea breeze drifts up the brook to the vineyard moderating the summer temperatures. All of the grapes are hand picked at sunrise and taken in small buckets to the Pierro winery. From here, the team at Pierro craft the wines under the guidance of Dr. Peterkin, The wines are hand made and blended in small batches. Specialty varieties include, Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. The Fire Gully wines express the very essence of Margaret River regionality and quality and are recognised for consistent excellence with each passing vintage. Vineyard: Pierro pioneered high-density vineyard planting in Margaret River, setting a benchmark as one of the first in Australia. With vine densities ranging from 4,000 to 5,500 per hectare—compared to the conventional 1,900 - this approach enhances vine competition, balances fruit yield, and intensifies flavour. The vineyard's moderately deep laterite gravel soils, interspersed with granite and overlying ancient base rock, are exceptionally well-drained and warm, promoting excellent root development. Pierro wine is a wonderfully complex balance of sensual and fascinating elements. In a world where mediocrity can become a pervasive norm, the wines of Pierro are a shining exception. Nose - Golden Kiwi, Lemon Curd, Flint Golden kiwi, limes, flint. It’s slippery and glossy. Lemon curd creamy touch in aromas and texture. Palate - Tropical Fruit, Citrus, Dill Neat and tidy in the palate, suggestion of grassiness, a light, orange zest pucker to close. Fresh and fruity style with a touch of higher calling. Finish - Licorice Root, Orange Zest, Schist Minerality Powerful, vibrant and tang, finishing fresh and zesty.

Product Description: From a single block first planted in 1981, this Chardonnay is a clear lens into Bannockburn’s DNA. Sourced from the winery’s driveway vineyard, the fruit ripens early and is harvested in multiple passes to capture both freshness and depth. The final blend is selected from barrels that best reflect the season, resulting in a Chardonnay that sits at the heart of the estate’s style. This 2024 release shows Bannockburn at its most assured — layered with stone fruit, citrus, struck match, and subtle hay-like detail. There’s a gentle pulpy texture that moves seamlessly across the palate, carried by chalky acidity and a bright, focused finish. It is both familiar and new: a wine that feels deeply rooted in its Geelong home yet alive with seasonal nuance. Tasting Notes NOSE – Citrus & stone fruit White peach and citrus with a delicate struck match edge. PALATE – Layered & textural Pulpy stone-fruit flavours with subtle hay and savoury detail. FINISH – Long & chalky Focused persistence with bright acidity and mineral lift. Finer Details: Style - White Wine Varietal - Chardonnay Country - Australia Region - Geelong, Victoria Vintage - 2024 Bottle Size - 750ml ABV - 13.5% Closure - Screwcap

Jeffrey Grosset is well known for his sublime and iconic Riesling's, but one should not forget his other brilliant white wine, the Piccadilly Chardonnay. From the Adelaide Hills, this luscious Chardonnay shows stone fruits and citrus on the palate with minerality and long finish. Superb!

This stunning Riesling from the West is all limes and citrus with great length and depth of flavour. The only problem with this wine is there is never enough to go around.

The Pinot Gris from the Long Road range of the Eden Road wines has lifted aromas of strawberry shortcake and ripe pears. These delicate characters are balanced with fine natural acid and textural palate. The slightly extended skin contact prior to pressing gives the wine the lovely pink colour, making it evermore appetizing. The finishing is crisp and clean. Simply seamless.

As featured on "Battle of the Vines": About the Tapanappa, Liinaa effuses, Its got power, a lot of stone fruit characters you often find with a Burgundy wine, but also it has ripping acidity, its razor sharp, pristine. Its got a very beautiful expression of wet stones and textures, its layered, with a bit of spice as well.