Spinifex Riesling 2024

In 2018, Pete and Magali purchased the mature (established 1945), four-hectare, dry-grown Rostein Vineyard in Eden’s Flaxman Valley, planted to roughly one-third Riesling and two-thirds Shiraz. The soils are lean, degraded granitic sands, and the vineyard sits at 475 to 495 metres above sea level. Two parcels of organically managed Riesling give rise to two wines. The Rostein Riesling is made from the 1945 vines, and this cuvée is made from the 1956 section.

The fruit was picked by hand, crushed and pressed to an equal mix of stainless-steel tanks and seasoned 1000-litre foudres for fermentation. To preserve the crisp, fresh appeal, there was no malolactic conversion, and the wines spent just four months maturing on lees before blending. In our opinion, this is one of Australia’s finest Rieslings, even if it is made in such small quantities that many never have the chance to taste it.