Awards and Accolades

2014 Vintage: James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
"A new approach for McLaren Vale that succeeds in its aim of providing a fresher and crisper palate, early picked and leaving some residual sugar, albeit balanced by acidity."

From the Winery

In 1992 our neighbours built a dam in which no water lay, as it was a dry winter. The next year it rained but the dam was jinxed and didn’t hold water. We still hold the blame. Some people mix the name around, calling the wine ‘The Dam Dry Riesling’, which in some years is truer than others.

A wet winter ensured good sub soil moisture and set up the vines well with healthy canopies. Spring was very dry with above average temperatures, a heavy downpour in January was a welcome relief. Mild conditions during the ripening period produced wines that show an abundance of spicy fruits with great colour, richness and balanced tannins. Vintage started on 30
January, the earliest start on record by one day.

Small batches of grapes are gently crushed, chilled, and then basket pressed. The fermentation was long and cool, and was stopped before reaching total dryness to ensure that residual sugar remains to balance the high mineral acidity.