“Clare and Eden Valley are held in equal high regard as great Riesling districts. For 50 years or more many of the names we admire most in Australian Riesling have built their reputations on the quality of the fruit grown there. Year in year out these regions produce finely balanced wines showcasing distinctive regional character, pure varietal flavour, delicate fruit sweetness and crisp acidity. Wines that invite immediate enjoyment and considerable refreshment whilst also delivering magnificent returns from patient cellaring. It’s no wonder this is where we chose to indulge our single-minded obsession and strive to perfect our craft.

But every so often a vintage comes along that raises the quality bar from great to exceptional. When nature provides near perfect growing and ripening conditions. Circumstances enabling we as winemakers working closely with our growers to create universally outstanding wines expressing the full gambit of regional, vineyard and winemaking styles that define our expansive portfolio. 2017 was one such year, which consequently thrust Rieslingfreak into the limelight with our wines winning 5 trophies at the Sydney Wine Show that year.

In our opinion this year has matched that lofty benchmark. John and I are in total agreement with our appraisal of the 2024 Rieslingfreak wines. Each wine is truly exceptional, and for the first time ever the entire portfolio of Rieslingfreak wines will be produced from a single vintage. We are ecstatic!

The 2024 vintage is best described as one of distinction, each wine perfectly expressing our winemaking ambitions. With bold aromas and assertive flavours that proudly reflect the unique origin and style of each wine. Across the portfolio we see a consistent theme of abundant natural acidity that imparts exceptional drive, refined structural elegance and texture that will be the hallmark of this vintage.”
- Belinda Hughes

Vintage summary
The lead up to the 2024 vintage was atypical for Clare and Eden Valleys with unusually warm and dry conditions through the Winter and Spring of 2023. However, three consecutive preceding years of record-breaking rainfall ensured soils, dams and aquifers were well supplied with abundant moisture. While the rains were scarce, a severe hailstorm in late November caused significant damage across the Clare Valley south of Watervale, as well as the northern reaches of the Barossa. Fortunately, our vineyards were largely unaffected. Polish Hill River and White Hutt lie further to north of the impacted areas and our sole vineyard block at Watervale was largely spared. Hail damage throughout Eden Valley was sporadic and comparatively minor.

Summer temperatures and rainfall were in line with the long-term average with sporadic rains dissipating entirely with the onset of Autumn. The Barossa Valley would experience its driest autumn on record, receiving only 15% of the long-term average rainfall for the season. The dry ripening season ensured zero disease pressure with cooler conditions in late summer and early autumn and occasional short bursts of warmer weather ensuring maximum flavour development and natural acid retention.

Rieslingfreak commenced harvest on February 15 – a full month earlier than the very late start in 2023 and much closer to the long-term average for vintage. The 2024 harvest began with a small parcel of grapes from our family vineyard at White Hutt for our No.9 “Sekt” Sparkling Riesling. The remainder of the vineyard was selectively harvested over 4 days in quick succession. No.1, No.3, No.5, No.6, No.7 wines plus an extremely special parcel for a one-off wine to celebrate John’s 50th Birthday – to be released this year as the No.50. This is the first time that seven different Rieslings have been produced from the family vineyard in a single vintage. Testament to the supreme quality and diversity of Riesling this year.

Completing harvest of White Hutt in just 4 days, we continued to the Polish Hill River and Flaxman Valley vineyards shortly thereafter with all but one of our vineyards being harvested by the 1st of March. Vintage concluded on March 7 with a small parcel from the Avon Brae Vineyard at Springton bound No.4.

Crop levels in 2024 were slightly reduced across both regions due to both minor hail damage from the late November storm in 2023 and drier than usual growing conditions. But there was still plenty of perfectly pristine Riesling to be had.

The 2023 vintage was one where patience was the ultimate virtue, and spending time in the vineyard was critical to achieving quality Riesling. After a decidedly typical winter that yielded average rainfall and temperatures across most of South Australia, the arrival of Spring brought record breaking rainfall of 236% above average in being the wettest spring on record. These wet conditions were paired with record breaking lows in temperature, with the maximum daily temperature being 3°C below the long-term average.

The cold, wet spring conditions led to significant delays in budburst and shoot growth, with early growth milestones occurring 5-6 weeks later than normal. Summer rainfall was low across the Clare Valley, but thanks to the wet spring there was plenty of soil and supplemental water to keep the vines fresh and to support ripening. Daytime and night-time temperatures were significantly cooler than average across both regions, with the entire season being remarkably mild and temperate. The cool summer temperatures extended into the early autumn and ensured a long, slow ripening season with remarkable acid retention in the grapes.

After 4 years of drought conditions, the winter of 2021 heralded the arrival of La Niña, and with it we welcomed the return of generous winter rains. 2021 was the wettest winter on record for the Barossa (Eden Valley) at 48% above average, while Clare was also blessed with soaking rainfall at 23% above average. These wet conditions replenished soil water and filled dams and aquifers to levels not seen since 2017, setting up perfect conditions for spring growth.

Rain continued into spring with slightly above average spring rainfall recorded across both regions. Daytime and night-time temperatures were close to average for spring in most places, and these mild conditions were perfectly suited to support strong shoot growth. A freak hailstorm hit Eden Valley on the 28th of October, causing localised damage to some vineyards, impacting the fruitfulness of the vines and reducing the potential crops for this vintage. Thankfully this event occurred before flowering and fruit set, so the undamaged canes and unscathed vineyards still yielded good amounts of high-quality fruit across the region. Clare was unaffected by the storm and the perfect growing season ensured excellent potential crop loads across both our White Hutt and Polish Hill River vineyards. Summer rainfall was low across the Clare and Eden Valleys, but thanks to the wet winter and spring there was plenty of soil and supplemental water to keep the vines fresh and to support ripening. Daytime and night-time temperatures were cooler than average across both regions, with the entire season being remarkably mild and temperate. The cooler temperatures and plentiful water ensured a long, slow ripening season with remarkable acid
retention in the grapes.