We made no wine from our NSW vineyards due to extreme smoke taint concentrations from the bushfires that ravaged our region from December to late January 2020. With this on our minds we headed west, as far as we could go to look for fruit and winemaking space. Luckily lots of industry colleagues stepped up to help and we found ourselves with options from Swan valley, Margaret and Frankland rivers and the deep south vineyards of Porongurup. This is one of a pair of multi-region blends based on the fruit from this wonderful old vineyard in the Swan valley near Perth. Dry grown, bush vines, quite hot area very reminiscent of Spain and Portugal. Our Long Way Around Bianco is mostly Trebbiano, one of ItalyÕs most versatile and widely planted varieties that goes by many synonyms right across Europe. A short time on skins and then barrel fermented. This was blended with Gewurztraminer from Frankland and Riesling from Porongurup, respectively adding exotic aromas and acidity.

Slight lift on the nose from barrel fermentation and long lees contact; a fitting compliment to the primary fruit by way of strawberry and fresh berry compote. There is a tenderness to this year's wine, the silky tannin-structure is first-rate with just enough back palate weight, by way of stalk use and light French oak, to hold its length. Meadowbank's Riesling vines, mostly Geisenheim 198 clone, were planted in 2005 and, since the arrival of Peter Dredge in 2016, have surely never been put to better use. From 2017 Dredge has rolled out organic practices across all the estate's vineyards allocated for the rebooted Meadowbank label. From the estate's sandy north-facing slopes overlying dark brown coffee rock, this spine-tingling Riesling was hand-picked, whole cluster pressed and naturally fermented in a mix of neutral oak (30%) and stainless tank. Both parcels were matured on their lees for five months before blending and bottling without fining. It's an incisively fresh Riesling offering Tassie Riesling's typical mix of fresh green apple and citrus and an acid spine seamlessly balanced by 8 g/L residual sugar. Meadowbank was first planted in 1974 prior to the purchase of the estate by Gerald and Sue Ellis in 1976. The initial plantings were small, but the business was enthusiastically grown by Gerald into the premium offering that is seen today. Partnering with friend and winemaker Peter Dredge, the next chapter is now being written. Meadowbank is the purest realisation of what our vineyard and Tasmania can offer. Located in the verdant Coal River Valley, north of Hobart in Tasmania, Meadowbank has two estate vineyards spanning over 50 hectares. The primary vineyard sites are at Cambridge and Glenora. Modern winemaking influence is obvious in these well packaged, cleanly made wines. Reflecting their cool climate origins, the winemaking team pick at physiological ripeness to elicit the most natural expression of their fruit.

This 2018 offers instant enjoyment but can also age gracefully. Fresh and juicy with enticing vibrancy, the wine opens with bright green apple peel and ripe citrus (almost sherbet) fruit with a precise and direct flintstone minerality. The palate is sweet but not cloying, rather leaving the mouth refreshed and ready for more. The ripe generous fruit is tamed by a lovely phenolic backbone and tasty acidity.

Mid straw in colour with green hues. Intense classic lemon fruit aromas with a hint of white flowers. Bottle aged characters of toast, clove oil and lemongrass have started to emerge. Shows great length and depth with concentrated power, pristine fresh lime juice overlaid with toasted brioche, sage oil and lime marmalade. The wine finishes with fresh, soft natural acidity. Pewsey Vale is synonymous with Riesling, and this historic hillside vineyard that rules the Eden Valley in South Australia is world-famous for the distinct style it produces. Originally established in 1847 by Joseph Gilbert, it was purchased by Samuel Smith (now Hill-Smith of Yalumba) in 1961. The vineyard sits 250 metres above the Barossa Valley floor. The resultant cooler temperatures encourage a longer ripening period that is essential for producing superior Riesling grapes. Made by renowned winemaker Louisa Rose, the Rieslings of Pewsey Vale have a distinct lime character together with florals and a touch of spice. When young they are vibrant and tight with upright acidity. As the wines age, they gain complexity with honeyed tones, but they are very long-lived, so patience is a must!

Pale straw with steely green tinges. Delicately perfumed with a hint of musk and bath salts. Textured with hints of orange rind, lemon, lime and spice. Delicate with crisp natural acidity and balanced finish. O'Leary Walker Wines was established in 2000 by winemakers David O'Leary and Nick Walker. With over twenty five years experience and established reputations making premium wine with the big companies, these two long time friends decided to take control of their own destiny and craft small batches of wine from some of the best vineyard sites in South Australia. With a great leap of faith they are now doing exactly what they set out to. Based in Leasingham in the Clare Valley, the duo source fruit from all over South Australia (including the Barossa, Adelaide Hills, Coonawarra and McLaren Vale) but some of the best fruit comes from the Clare Valley itself. Of particular note is the Grace's vineyard in Watervale which supplies Riesling for the lauded 'Watervale Riesling' label. Grace's is a dry grown, west facing vineyard that sits on the classic 'red loam over limestone' Watervale soils and produces wonderful Riesling fruit. Similarly, the Smith and Molloy vineyards in the Polish Hill River area also contribute wonderfully intense Riesling fruit of the highest order. The O'Leary Walker range focuses on some premium regional varietals, taking the best bits from all around South Australia. The theory behind this is to draw on the grape varieties that excel in these quite different viticultural climates.

Pristine pale-straw with striking fluorescent green tinges around the rim edge. A gem-like and shimmeringly scented aroma of glittering, glimmering, glistening purity, poise and incandescence; lime blossom and honey suckle flower intensity is as pure as it is invigorating. An extraordinarily precise and clean citrus fruit spectrum - mandarin, bergamot, lemon, pomelo and lime. Essence of mandarin is underscored by a lilting harmony of stone-fruits, before searing, speeding, linear acidity escort lemon-meringue flavours to the palate's long finish.

2020 Dukes Vineyard Magpie Hill Reserve Riesling,Lime, citrus blossom and ripe fruit aromas. Lovely fine fruit and acid and flavours that linger for long after the wine has gone.

Jim Barry is a master of Riesling and this 2014 vintage won't disappoint. It opens with aromas of lifted spice, orange blossom and lime. This offers a huge volume of flavour of grapefruit, lime and spice, with a palate that exhibits great line and drive. There is a creaminess to the palate balanced by the crisp acidity on the finish.