2025 Wilson Watervale Riesling, Clare Valley

Wilson Watervale Riesling is a pure and classic expression of Clare Valley, coming from the Watervale subregion where Riesling has long been king. This part of the valley is known for its gently rolling hills, red loam soils over limestone and a cooler mesoclimate that consistently produces the most elegant and finely detailed Rieslings in South Australia. Watervale has been shaping Australia’s Riesling reputation since the mid 1800s, and this wine proudly continues that lineage.

Wilson Vineyard is a long established Clare Valley family operation, with deep generational ties to the land. The focus here is on careful vineyard management and letting site do the work, particularly with Riesling, which thrives in these limestone rich soils. Picking is timed to capture freshness and natural acidity, resulting in wines that are vibrant, expressive and built to age.

Aromatically, this Riesling is bright and inviting, showing lime zest, lemon blossom and green apple, with a faint talc like minerality. The palate is tightly wound and refreshing, driven by crunchy citrus fruit, crisp acidity and a long, dry finish with classic Watervale chalky texture. It is precise and energetic rather than broad or overtly fruity.

This is a superb wine for the table. Fresh oysters, grilled fish, Vietnamese and Thai dishes, schnitzel, or goat’s cheese all work beautifully, with the acidity cutting through and refreshing the palate. It is also a great match for spicy food thanks to its clarity and drive.

Wilson Watervale Riesling is delicious young for its brightness and purity but will reward patience over ten to fifteen years, developing classic toast, honey and kerosene complexity with time. It is a benchmark style that shows exactly why Watervale remains one of Australia’s great Riesling terroirs.