For John Hughes, the attraction to Riesling is all encompassing. Growing up on a small vineyard in the Clare Valley, and going on to work with some of the brightest Riesling makers in the country before launching his own venture, John is never far away from his beloved grape. John makes classic Australian styles from carefully selected vineyards with an emphasis on purity and site reflection, as well as German-inspired expressions that balance acidity and sugar with singular precision.

For John Hughes, the attraction to Riesling is all encompassing. Growing up on a small vineyard in the Clare Valley, and going on to work with some of the brightest Riesling makers in the country before launching his own venture, John is never far away from his beloved grape. John makes classic Australian styles from carefully selected vineyards with an emphasis on purity and site reflection, as well as German-inspired expressions that balance acidity and sugar with singular precision.

Within Kiedrich’s Gräfenberg Grand Cru lies a small 0.5-hectare parcel once known as the Gräfenberg-Lay. Sitting in one of the steepest portions of the vineyard, the Lay is located at the transition between Gräfenberg and Turmberg and is known for having the highest concentration of phyllite slate on the hill. The vines here are now between 40 and 60 years old. This site was originally purchased by Dr Robert Weil in the 19th century, using the dowry from his marriage to Emilie von Vacano (a descendant of the Vacano family in Lombardy). The wine from this parcel, called Monte Vacano (the Hill of Vacano) was always produced and bottled alone. It was used only for celebratory occasions and never released for sale. Following Weil's death in 1921, the tradition of Monte Vacano fell dormant, and the fruit was incorporated into a regular Gräfenberg bottling. Compared to the Gräfenberg GG, Monte Vacano trades power and richness for exceptional purity, elegance and detail. Resurrecting the old custom, 2021 marks the fourth Riesling in a century made solely from this special lieu-dit. It was harvested in October, and the grapes were whole bunch-pressed into two ancient refurbished Stückfässer (1,200-litre casks) where the wine fermented wild and spent almost two years on lees before bottling.

The 2013 Kanta Riesling is a youthful green gold in the glass. The nose entices with notes of lemon curd, buttery pastry, honeysuckle and kaffir lime leaf, backed by lovely tertiary notes of brown lime cordial and a hint of kerosene. The palate is yielding and fleshy, but remarkably fresh for 8 years old. At first the palate yields pineapple and baked lemon pudding, well supported by gentle acidity. The time on lees and maturation in bottle means that this is a wine that has truly settled into its own skin. Kanta Riesling by Egon Müller is a unique winemaking partnership where German tradition and precision meets the premium, cool climate fruit from the Adelaide Hills. Kanta partners, Egon Müller and Michael Andrewartha are pleased to announce the ninth release from this unique, cross-cultural winemaking project. Since its inception in 2005 they have proudly watched Kanta come of age.

The 2023 vintage of Lark Hill 'Estate Grown' Riesling from the Canberra District is a truly exceptional offering from the renowned New South Wales winery. With a pale straw colour and vibrant green hues, this wine immediately catches the eye. On the nose, delicate aromas of fresh lime, Granny Smith apples, and white flowers dance together, while the palate delivers a burst of zesty citrus, crisp green apple, and a subtle minerality. The acidity is perfectly balanced, creating a refreshing and lively mouthfeel that lingers on the finish. This Riesling is a true representation of the unique terroir of the Canberra District, and its 2023 vintage is a testament to the winemaking expertise of Lark Hill. Enjoy now or cellar for a few years to experience the evolution of this exceptional wine.