Riesling: The Jewel of the Great Southern

Riesling has long been one of the world’s most revered white varieties, celebrated for its purity, longevity and ability to reflect the land on which it’s grown. In Australia, no region champions Riesling quite like the Great Southern where ancient soils and cool-climate conditions have elevated it to iconic status.

Riesling’s Journey to Australia

Riesling originated in Germany’s Rhine and Mosel valleys, where it has been cultivated for over a thousand years and is renowned for its electric acidity, aromatic intensity and remarkable ageing potential.

The variety made its way to Australia in the 1830s, brought by early European settlers who initially planted it in South Australia’s Barossa and Eden Valleys. Riesling thrived in these regions, becoming the backbone of Australia’s early white wine production.

Throughout the 20th century, Australian Riesling was often misunderstood, with many producers steering it towards mass-produced, off dry or sweeter styles. But those who championed its dry, mineral-driven expression – particularly in South Australia and Western Australia – helped redefine its place in the Australian wine landscape.

The Great Southern: A Riesling Paradise

While the Clare Valley and Eden Valley are often cited as Australia’s Riesling heartlands, those in the know recognise that the Great Southern produces some of the country’s most refined and age-worthy expressions.

The region enjoys a long, slow ripening period, thanks to cooling influences from the Southern Ocean, which allows Riesling to develop intense aromatics while retaining its hallmark acidity.

Ancient, nutrient-poor soils across the region, also help to produce wines with laser-like focus, flinty minerality and incredible tension – all characteristics of exceptional Rieslings.

Great Southern Rieslings are renowned for their ability to age for decades, developing complex notes of honey, toast and spice while maintaining their trademark freshness.

With these qualities, it’s no wonder Riesling has been dubbed “the jewel of the Great Southern.”

What Does Great Southern Riesling Taste Like?

Riesling is a true terroir-expressive grape, meaning that even within the Great Southern, subtle differences can be found between subregions:

• Mount Barker & Porongurup – known for their tightly wound, citrus-driven Rieslings with searing acidity and flinty minerality. Often compared to the great wines of the Mosel.
• Frankland River – produces more generous, fruit-driven Rieslings with ripe lime, jasmine and a hint of talc-like texture.
• Denmark & Albany – with more maritime influence, Rieslings from here are softer, floral and expressive, often with a delicate saline edge.

Across the region, Riesling showcases lime zest, lemon blossom, green apple and wet stone, often with a whisper of white florals and spice. Over time, they develop classic aged Riesling notes of honey and toast, while still holding onto their vibrant acidity.

The Future of Riesling in the Great Southern

As more wine lovers seek out fresh, expressive, food-friendly wines, Great Southern Riesling is stepping into the spotlight. No longer just a sommelier’s secret, it’s now recognised as one of Australia’s finest white wine styles.

With ongoing innovation in winemaking and vineyard management, the future is bright for Riesling in this pristine region. Whether enjoyed young and racy or cellared for complexity, Great Southern Riesling continues to prove why it is one of Australia’s greatest white wines.

Looking to explore Great Southern Riesling?

Plantagenet has been a pioneer of Riesling in the region for decades, crafting wines that showcase the purity, elegance and longevity of this remarkable variety.

Discover our latest Riesling releases and taste why the Great Southern is Australia’s true home of world-class Riesling.

Plantagenet 2024 Three Lions Riesling

92 Points – “The quick early vintage has contributed to the mouth feel and flavour intensity. Lemon rind and floral notes on the nose. The palate has a an intense lemon zest character that dominates through to its very long finish. It has the potential for medium term ageing but I honestly think this is best in the first few years while the texture and freshness is so evident.”

Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot

Plantagenet 2024 ‘Angevine’ Riesling

93 Points – “This comes from the Wyjup vineyard. It’s a highly fragrant and quite intense Riesling from this very early and warm vintage. Lemon zest and crunchy green apple characters on the nose. The lemon rind and minerally characters take over on the palate which is both texture and length. A trace of lime and a light wet slaty character bring a degree of tension. Nice wine.”

Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot

Plantagenet 2023 Wyjup Collection Riesling

95 Points – “This is a first-rate Riesling from this special site in a special year. It is expressive, revealing on the palate early and pushing through into its sustained finish. The site is a key part of this wine. Its orientation pushes picking time up to three weeks later than other parts of the vineyard, leading to more hang time, and allowing the flavour intensity to build while retaining the essential acid balance. Perfumed lemony lime and floral aromas are pretty and intense. There is a slightly chalky character through the delicate and intense palate. Precise and defined with a bracing acidity contributing to its palate tension. It is a wine that will age beautifully.”

Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot