The beautiful Clare Valley wine region is nestled amongst rolling hills in the northern Mount Lofty Ranges. Dry Clare Valley Riesling is one of Australia’s classic wine styles. Vibrant lime juice, citrus and bracing acidity are signatures of Clare Valley riesling. They are magical wines with enchanting purity and a powerful sense of place. They improve with age and take on glorious honey and toasty characters over time. Wines born of the Polish Hill River district are tightly woven and austere, with great minerality and longevity. The Watervale area makes a more approachable and mouthwatering style. Elegant reds include perfumed, peppery shiraz and dark berried cabernet sauvignon with long, fine grained tannins. Cabernet sauvignon is often blended with malbec to make a distinctive regional style.
Clare was first planted to vine in the early 1840s. It is a region of small family producers
on a winding route scattered with charming villages, old stone cellars and historic pubs. A total of 5,450 ha stretch along the 35km valley today. The region can be divided into five main districts; Watervale, Polish Hill River, Sevenhill, Auburn and Clare. The moderate continental climate is tempered by a cool afternoon breeze and elevations of 200-500 metres. Variable topography and soils range through terra rossa over limestone, sandy loams, slate and fertile alluvials.
Clare Valley producers led by Jeffrey Grosset championed the use of screwcap closures throughout the region in the late 1990s.
Stuart MacGill uncorks the Clare Valley
