We are excited to release our Julius and Peggy’s Hill Eden Valley rieslings from the exceptional 2023 vintage.
Fourth-generation winemaker Cyril Henschke developed Henschke’s reputation for premium riesling wines as early as the 1950s from the vineyard areas of Eden Valley, Keyneton and Springton in the Eden Valley wine region. This region provides ideal ripening conditions for the riesling grape and has a unique track record of exceptional ageing potential. The Henschke Eden Valley riesling vineyard is planted on sandy loam over gravel and bedrock with patches of clay. This single-vineyard riesling became known as ‘Julius’, with the first vintage of this label released in 1993.
With riesling wines enjoying a renaissance in Australia in the early 2000s, Stephen and Prue Henschke decided to create another Eden Valley riesling to complement their lauded, old-vine, single-vineyard Julius Riesling. Their aim was to make a wine from selected growers’ vineyards that could display similar characteristics to the Julius, yet in a softer and rounder, early-drinking style. This wine was named ‘Peggy’s Hill’, after the centrally-located landmark in the Eden Valley. The first release of Peggy’s Hill was from the exceptional 2005 vintage.
The 2023 vintage was a remarkable season that saw long and cool ripening conditions, optimal for pristine riesling production. The beautiful sunshine allowed white floral notes of jasmine, chamomile and lemon blossom to concentrate in the fruit, together with characters of lemon zest and lime. Cool night resulted in intense acidity of fresh lime and focused minerality, which has produced rieslings of impeccable balance, finesse and structure. The 2023 Henschke Eden Valley rieslings are fresh and bright; drinking beautifully now and will age for many years to come.
Gwyn Olsen, Senior Winemaker