2024 Stefano Lubiana Riesling, Derwent Valley

This biodynamic, characterful Derwent Valley white pays homage to the great Riesling wines of Austria while retaining its unmistakable cool-climate characteristics. Pouring pale and bright, it opens with fragrant, floral herb aromas that could remind you of chamomile, lemon verbena and elderberry flowers, with an overall saline theme of fresh lemon rind and green apple skins. It feels silky smooth on the palate, with flavours harmoniously echoing the nose and stretching out on the long, dry and chalky finish.

A glass of this would sit well with lightly floured trout fillets pan-seared in butter and served with herb butter and kipfler potatoes.

More about this wine

The fruit was grown in the biodynamic Derwent Valley vineyard of the Lubiana family where a single small block of Riesling vines stand in gravelly loams over deep, gravelly subsoils.

Whole bunch pressed and fermented in well-seasoned large Austrian oak foudre with indigenous yeasts, the wine rested briefly on lees ahead of bottling.

About this producer

Steve and Monique Lubiana laid the foundation of Stefano Lubiana Wines in 1990. Located in Tasmania’s southern Derwent Valley, their now 25-hectare Granton vineyard was the first in Tasmania to be certified biodynamic. The family also farms a 10-hectare site acquired in 2016 in the neighbouring Huon River Valley.

A fifth-generation winemaker born to an Italian migrant family from Friuli, Steve continues to oversee all aspects of viticulture and winemaking, and son Marco has worked alongside him in aspects of the business.

While they have a strong focus on premium sparkling wines, the quality of the still Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines is excellent and consistent, and the family loves to experiment and explore with other varieties and styles.