Riesling 2026

Riesling was the first white variety John Kirk planted at Clonakilla in 1971.

As Clonakilla has grown over the decades, so have our Riesling plantings. It is our second most widely planted variety after Shiraz. Clones include McWilliams, Pewsey Vale, Geisenheim 198 and the original unidentified clone planted in 1971. 

All our Riesling vines are on South facing sites, angled away from the Northern sun. This cooler aspect slows ripening and works to build aromatic complexity and retain natural acid in the wines.

Good winter and early spring rainfall set up a relatively even budburst. Three spring frosts and four hail events made for some nervous moments, but with good luck (vines on the Southern slopes avoided most of the hail impact) and good management (our frost protection system did its job) the Riesling vines were mostly unaffected. 

Four days over 40 degrees in January had us (and the vines) a little stressed, but the fruit still came in in near perfect condition in mid-March with excellent ripeness and lovely balanced acids.