Jasper Hill: Georgia's Paddock Riesling 2023

Jasper Hill (The Laughton Family)

In 1975, former food scientist Ron Laughton and his wife Elva created their Jasper Hill estate in Heathcote, Victoria (70 miles north of Melbourne), drawn by the region's distinctive geology, namely an iron-rich seam of Cambrian clay and volcanic basalt on which the vineyards are strategically located. Today the Laughton's world-renowned, bio-dynamically farmed, 20-hectare estate is widely regarded as being some of the finest terroir in Australia.

As the vineyards and their two daughters have grown over the years, both Emily and Georgia continue to work within the business. Emily McNally lives on Georgia's Paddock vineyard with her husband Nick, daughter Ella and son Nate. Nick is also a highly valued member of the team, both in the vineyard and in the cellar. Only time will tell if the next young generation will continue the wine making tradition of their grandfather and mother.

Jasper Hill produces six wines from three individual vineyards. While the single estate 'Emily's Paddock' Shiraz - Cabernet Franc and 'Georgia's Paddock' Shiraz (first vintage 1982) are the best known wines, Jasper Hill also makes a 'Georgia's Paddock' Semillon, 'Georgia's Paddock' Riesling (first vintage 1984) and 'Georgia's Paddock' Nebbiolo. The family are also involved in a joint venture locally with fellow organic enthusiast Michel Chapoutier, which yields the 'La Pleiade' Shiraz, plus a collaboration in the Agly valley in Roussillon in France.