2025 Clonakilla Viognier Nouveau, Canberra District

Clonakilla Viognier Nouveau from the Canberra District is a bright, juicy, and aromatic take on Viognier, made in a fresh and early-drinking style that’s quite unlike most traditional examples of the variety. Crafted by Tim Kirk, one of Australia’s most admired winemakers, this wine is a rare example of Viognier bottled young and intended to capture the vibrant energy of the just-finished vintage.

The fruit is grown in Murrumbateman at Clonakilla’s cool-climate estate vineyards, where Viognier ripens slowly and evenly thanks to high elevation, granite-rich soils and cool nights. While Clonakilla’s flagship Viognier is rich and textured, the Nouveau is all about youthful perfume, freshness and drinkability.

The winemaking is deliberately light-handed. The grapes are picked early, whole bunch pressed and fermented in stainless steel to preserve aromatic intensity. There’s no oak, no lees stirring, and no waiting — it’s bottled just months after harvest, ready for immediate release.

In the glass, it bursts with notes of apricot, white peach, orange blossom and fresh ginger. The palate is soft and juicy with vibrant stone fruit, citrus and a hint of musk, all wrapped in refreshing acidity. There’s no heaviness, just a lively, moreish white that drinks like spring in a glass.

Serve it chilled as an aperitif, or pair with Vietnamese rice paper rolls, grilled prawns, or peach and burrata salad. It’s best enjoyed young, ideally within one to two years of release, when its youthful charm is at its peak.