Our Wineries
As part of opening a cellar door the legislation at the time required us to become wine producers. We went to our good friends, Bruce and Val Bassham to ask for grapes and Eric and Jenny Semmler to see if they would be our wine makers. With a great start and skillmanship we are proud to offer our wines grown by Bassham’s and perfected to beautiful wines by the Semmler’s.
PIKE RIVER WINES |
As part of opening a cellar door the legislation at the time required us to become wine producers. We went to our good friends, Bruce and Val Bassham to ask for grapes and Eric and Jenny Semmler to see if they would be our wine makers. With a great start and skillmanship we are proud to offer our wines grown by Bassham’s and perfected to beautiful wines by the Semmler’s.
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Our aim with our wines is to showcase great grapes matched with great winemaking skills. Joining Bruce and Val’s grapes with Eric and Jenny’s skills enables us to showcase Riverland Wine without the worry of getting it right! We are now excitedly looking each year at the Alternate varieties on offer- the grapes that suit our regions climate. The 2020 harvest has produced smaller quantities of available choices so we have concentrated on a new Fiano for this year as we are close to running out of our very popular 2018 Fiano. We are already in discussions with Bruce and Val, planning our choices for the next vintage and we’re very excited!
Whistling Kite Biodynamic Wines are made with care, attention, hand picked and basket pressed and are the culmination of almost two decades of organic, sustainable farming practices.
From “traditional” varieties (Chardonnay & Shiraz), to emerging, or alternative varieties (Montepulciano & Petit Manseng), all of their wines have a unique flavour and each create their own drinking experience, expressing the variety’s character and reflecting the unique terroir of the vineyard.
Founded in 1998, Salena Estate’s objective has always been to become recognised as a maker of world-class wines that represent great value in any global market.
Salena’s focus is on organic viticulture winemaking.
They have recently opened a new exciting restaurant featuring authentic Italian food at Cucina 837.
Ashley’s passion has been the driving force behind Ricca Terra farms development. Together with Holly, and Neil Burton, they have established Ricca Terra farms as an innovative vineyard of alternative grape varieties and practice.
Their vision was to plant, nuture and make wine from grape varieties best suited to the Riverland’s warm dry climate. Ricca Terra blends of wines each carry names from the evolution of the wine and the winemaker
Eleni and Peter Markeas immigrated to Renmark from Kardamili in Greece and established their family vineyard in 1968. 1998 , after 30 years developing their vineyards they expanded into wine production and began Mallee Estate Wines.
They now processes 700 tonne of grapes from the Markeas family’s own vineyards and another 300 tonne from Renmark Growers to produce award-winning wines that are exported to China, Hong Kong and the US. Second generation, Arthur and Jim, now run and manage the vineyards and Winery.
Nina and Steve migrated from Greece to Australia and met in 1961 while picking grapes in the Riverland. Soon after, they bought a plot of land and in 1965, proudly picked the first grapes off their own vineyard.
2nd generation Bill and Ivanka have developed the estate to become one of Australia’s most significant wine exporters and the 6th largest winery in Australia in terms of grape intake.
Growers Gate is a group of proud farmers who have been growing grapes for generations and now want to sell the fruits of their labour directly to the wine consumer. They are deeply committed to their land, their environment and their communities.
Growers Gate has a meticulous quality assurance and selection process based on objective measurements for colour, tannin, acidity and baume as well as sensory evaluation, to identify premium grapes. Only the very best fruit from growers makes it into Growers Gate.
In 1955 his son Dragutin,decided to follow the hope of rich fertile soils in Australia and he gathered his family, one brother and one suitcase and came to Australia to begin the dream. Driven with the same passion for the land as their father the boys transformed their South Australian vineyards into a source of quality fruit to produce premium wine.
Predominately located in the Riverland region the annual grape crush is approximately 10,000 tonne producing close to 7.5 million litres of wine per annum.
The winery – named after vine research pioneer Richard Cirami – is in association with Riverland Vine Improvement, one of the largest producers of vine propagation material in Australia. Awards from the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show reinforces Cirami Estate’s success, with the winery receiving over 40 medals within the last three years.
To establish the 80ha source vineyards at Monash, RVIC have obtained vines from local trials, recognised collections throughout Australia and overseas imports. The range of varieties and clones available to growers through RVIC is the result of many years of extensive clonal selection and breeding.
A quarter of a century ago the Caudo family had a dream to produce quality wine in the Riverland of South Australia, one of the best wine regions in the world. In 2009 they really began to make a mark on the business, starting the transformation into what it is today. Today that dream has become reality.
Caudo Vineyard is state of the art, blending a care for the environment with the most modern wine production techniques to produce quality wine for world markets. Each owner has been inspired to share what their lifestyle on the river provides them with.
In 1963, Eric and Romla Byrne purchased the Devlin’s Pound property near Overland Corner in South Australia and planted this limestone based vineyard to a range of grape varieties, most notably Shiraz, Cabernet and Chardonnay which have all received Gold medals for their premium wine quality.
Rob and Terry, with Rob’s daughter Petria and Terry’s wife Elise are still the family force behind the company with care of the local environment for the future generations and community.
Banrock is a part of Berri Estates – Accolade wines. Banrocks winemaking philosophy is to create flavoursome, generous, value for money Australian wines, while demonstrating respect for the good earth from which they come. Part of this balance is the introduction of varieties that grow more sustainably.
Banrocks outstanding Wine & Wetland Centre is a creation of sustainable materials with an aim to make a small footprint on the landscape.
In the 1930’s Burk helped Frank plant the first vineyard on that land. Third generation Greg and his wife Jane founded Burk Salter Wines in 2002. They have redeveloped and extended the vineyard and have gone on to produce their own boutique wine under the Burk Salter Wines label.
The wine is made from grapes grown exclusively in the Salter vineyards at Blanchetown, and at present produced by winemakers in the Barossa Valley.
Bruce is the 4th generation of Basshams to be working the land on their property. The whole family are involved in the care of the land. From England to Qualco, farming and riverboat trading to a war service fruit property allotment that lead to the Bassham wines beginnings.
In recent years they have become leaders in the alternative varieties movement producing over 550 tonnes of alternative varieties, which are carefully selected to suit our Mediterranean climate.
Dr.William Thomas Angove arrived from Cornwall, England, with his wife and young family to establish a medical practice in Tea Tree Gully. He first started making wine as a tonic for his patients. Angove are leaders in the adoption of sustainable and organic winemaking practices
The Angove Family are custodians of Australia´s best and most awarded brandy. St Agnes distillery is South Australia’s oldest continually run craft distillery. Originally established in 1910, following a study trip to the home of brandy, Cognac.
Eric and Jenny Semmler have been involved in the wine industry since 1986. They have planted micro-quantities of varieties for fortified wines: palomino, durif, tempranillo, muscat à petits grains, tinta cao, shiraz, tokay and touriga nacional. In 2011 they purchased property at Loxton they call Ella Semmler’s Vineyard.
Family owned and certified organic they specialise in producing high quality wines from non-traditional varieties and excel at making fortified wines, from super dry and appetising to long and luscious.
Alex Russell began winemaking in Renmark for Angoves and was a winemaker in the early structuring of the Riverland Vine Improvement , trialling alternative varieties that were best suited to the Riverland climate. Alex applied his winemaking passion into the formation of Cirami.
The growing excitement of the success of the alternative wines lead to Alejandro range being created. The climate in the summer months of Spain and Italy are very similar to Mildura and the Riverland.
Season of Plenty wines is a part of the Gurra Downs farm. In an idyllic, unspoilt natural environment the Reilly family established a 30 hectare horticultural organic vineyard and farm, specialising in wine grapes and date palms.
Organic farming is a relatively recent trend and has grown from a desire of people to eat and drink food and wine that they know is produced in a healthy, natural way without pollution or chemicals. To control weeds and insects in the vineyard they use geese, turkeys and guinea fowls
At the time Andrew was at university and while on a break, helping some friends recycle books from an old library, he found a book on biodynamic gardening. From this sparked a lifelong interest. A little later on in his gardening journey he read about permaculture and was inspired.
Buying a block of land with vines he travelled down the viticulture track and began winemaking as a hobby, combining his gardening with the ecologically sound organic, permaculture methods, Back Verandah Wines was born.
Rob Cordy has cared for the vineyard at Mundoo Ridge since 1998, creating fortfied wines and rich reds as he developed the winery before opening the cellar door at the beginning of 2019.
The unique and intense fruit characters produced by the soil structure and Riverland climate are captured in the creation of the handcrafted wines. Mundoo Ridge seizes the fruit through open fermentation before aging in oak for 12 -18 months.
Spook Hill Wines can be found at the foot of Spook Hill, site of the local cemetery, in Cadell Valley – a former bend of the Murray River now bypassed by the current river.
The varieties currently grown by Spook Hill Wines include Durif, Shiraz, Cabernet, Nebbiolo, Barbera, Mourverde, Tempranillo and Petit Verdot. These were chosen due to their ability to thrive in the unique soils of the region and Jock’s desire to create unique wines.
Kristalana Wines is a Family owned and operated winery. Sam and Sandra met at the Riverland Wine Show. Their love of wine and winemaking brought them together.
They specialise in fortified wine and produce Tawny, Aperas, Muscat and dessert wine at their vineyard winery. Kristalana wines also proudly produce small batch red wines with traditional varieties such as Shiraz, Grenache and Mataro.
Top Block vineyard is a small vineyard in Monash which has been owned by the Heward family since the early 1960s. The property back in those days was primarily composed of fruit for drying (Sultanas).
In 1969 a patch of Shiraz was planted for wine creation, that has endured the test of time. Now fifty years old, it still produces wonderful bunches of grapes, although yields vary significantly from year to year. The old Picker’s Hut has now been renovated and has become an enjoyable and relaxing accommodation for visitors to stay in a peaceful environment.
Robert Matthews took an interest in wine at an early age and started making fortified dessert wine from ruby blood plums. Widely known for their fruit wines, they also produce quality table wines from Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache and other grapes.
While fruit wines have been around for many years, they were not always available to the general public. Making wine from grapes is relatively easy and high volume production, but fruits too are a natural thing to be made into wine. If left for a day or two, any freshly squeezed fruit juice will naturally start fermenting into wine.
Migrating from Greece in the 60’s and 70’s, the Koutouzis family set roots in the Riverland with their family farm in Berri. As children, the typical summer holiday for this family was hard, back breaking work. They would pick fruit all summer and also pick grapes by hand for some well known wineries.
Sixty Eight Roses Wines has been in the making for a few years now, and have finally launched their first commercial wine in 2020 with their 2019 Syrah (made with grapes from vines that have been family owned for over 40 years). Wine is produced with organic wine making techniques and minimal intervention.
Illalangi is a proudly family-owned and run, grower, producer, and providore based at Waikerie in South Australia’s Riverland. Their Petit Verdot is skillfully crafted for them by the award winning winemaking team at 919 Wines.
Aboriginal inspired artwork on our Illalangi label depicts the myth of the Rainbow Serpent – a powerful symbol of both the creative and destructive power of nature. It is seen as the inhabitant of permanent waterholes such as the river and holds
all control over life’s most precious resource, water.
Nilo Wines
Nilo DellaZoppa was born in Cercino, Italy in 1927 and migrated to Australia at the age of 5, settling in Waikerie. Nilo wines dedicates its name to the man who established the current vineyard on the edge of the River Murray in 1956.The vineyard is still located atop the cliff over looking the Murray River with soil ranging from limestone calcareous rock to 200mm of red sandy loam atop a limestone rock base.
Nilo wines is a celebration of the hard work, blood, sweat and tears Nilo and family members have contributed to the vineyard and its progression over the years. Nilo is now 93 years of and still works on the vineyard with his family to this day!
Are you ready to taste our region ?
