2023 Nick O’Leary Heywood Riesling, Canberra District

Such a lovely drink with its heady aromas, all floral and spicy. The palate comes alive with a squeeze of lemon juice, freshly cut apple and an appealing zinc-bath-salts character, then the talc-like acidity drives it home.

95 points Special Value Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

Nick O’Leary’s approach to crafting the Heywood Riesling focuses on preserving the purity and precision of the fruit. The grapes are handpicked from select vineyard sites in the Canberra District, known for their cool climate and limestone-rich soils. Fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks to retain the fresh, vibrant character of the Riesling grape, with no oak influence. This method allows the wine’s natural acidity and minerality to shine through, making it a true reflection of its terroir. In keeping with our house style yet proudly displaying the unique personality of our home vineyard. This single vineyard wine retains the pure citrus character of our other rieslings but with a fresh green melon character not found in our other wines.

The Canberra District is celebrated for its cool climate and distinctive terroir, which is particularly suited to producing high-quality Riesling. The region’s combination of altitude, cool temperatures, and diverse soil types, including ancient limestone, contribute to the crisp acidity and complex flavors found in its wines.