Sean O’Riada is one of the heroes of modern Ireland. A talented musician and composer, he is credited with taking traditional Irish music out of the kitchens and pubs of Ireland and putting it on the concert stages of the world. He died, prematurely, in 1971, the year Clonakilla was established by John Kirk. He was John’s cousin.
A hail storm on January 9th gave us plenty to worry about, reducing what was already a small crop. Mercifully, the vines recovered well.
We had rain when we needed it then a brilliant ripening season marked by a run of gorgeous weather in the crucial late Summer and early Autumn.
The O’Riada is a quintessential Canberra Shiraz, fully charged with spice, floral notes and ripe red fruits.