2024 Felton Road Bannockburn Organic Riesling

Beginning with meticulous site selection and vineyard design started in 1991, Felton Road's story is one of refusal to compromise. A strict 100% estate policy with fully organic and biodynamic viticulture (Demeter certified) ensures that the fruit arrives at the winery as pure as it can be, while the entire estate comes as close to true sustainability as is possible. A commitment to hands off winemaking: gravity flow, wild yeasts, wild malolactic fermentation, an avoidance of fining and filtration all help preserve the wine's expression of its terroir. The result is Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir which accurately express the authenticity and complexity of their unique vineyards.

After a moderate winter with normal rainfall, budburst occurred in late-September. Flowering occurred in early December with some rain and temperatures hovering around average. A period of cool evenings raised concerns of a potential poor set. Significant rainfall at the beginning of January and further rain in the middle of the month resulted in more than double the monthly rainfall. This wetter period throughout the phase of cell division resulted in generally larger berries and made-up for potentially lower bunch weights from the uneven flowering conditions. The weather stabilised in February with warmer and much drier conditions; which continued throughout the leadup, and until the conclusion of harvest.

Riesling was harvested from April 9 to 14, with the conclusion of Block 1 (on the heavier soils) on April 20. Riesling from Block 4 of The Elms vineyard was carefully hand-picked, whole bunch pressed, settled for 3 days before racking, then fermented with indigenous yeasts. The 4 week fermentation was stopped by chilling when the optimal balance was achieved between the acidity, alcohol and residual sugar (64g/L). Careful winemaking with minimal processing highlights the crisp natural acidity and the Riesling characters are delicately poised in the low alcohol of 9.5%.