Rieslingfreak

Rieslingfreak is the passion project of John Hughes, a true aficionado of Riesling. Growing up in Clare Valley, a region renowned for its exceptional Riesling, John developed a deep appreciation for this versatile grape. His journey began in 2009 with a single vineyard Clare Valley Riesling and has since expanded to include Rieslings from Eden Valley and Polish Hill River, each reflecting the unique terroir of these regions.

John's dedication to Riesling is evident in every bottle he produces. Inspired by the traditional winemaking techniques of Germany, he crafts a diverse range of Rieslings that embody both regional and stylistic diversity. From sparkling and dry to sweet and fortified, Rieslingfreak showcases the multifaceted nature of this grape. John's obsession with Riesling earned him the moniker "Riesling Freak" during his university days, a title that has become synonymous with his brand's commitment to excellence.

In 2021, John was joined by his partner Belinda Hughes, an accomplished winemaker with nearly 15 years of experience. Belinda, affectionately known as "The Freakette," shares John's passion for Riesling and brings her technical prowess and fresh perspective to the team. Together, they continue to explore and innovate, drawing inspiration from Riesling styles across the globe.

The wines of Rieslingfreak are celebrated for their exquisite purity and elegance, standing as some of South Australia's finest expressions of Riesling. For the Hughes' this is not just about making wine; it's about telling a story through each bottle. Every Rieslingfreak wine is assigned a unique number that denotes its region and style, providing consumers with a clear understanding of its origin and character. This meticulous approach ensures that each vintage released is truly worthy of the Rieslingfreak name.

"Complete and utter dedication to riesling, from the Eden and Clare valleys, made with meticulous care, thought and more. Every year, a whole host of different rieslings, each with its own reason for being. Modern Australian wine would be lesser without this single producer. Rieslingfreak is not just a quirk; it’s an essential."
- Campbell Mattinson (Halliday Wine Companion - Top 100 Wineries of 2023)

"Rieslingfreak sits at the apex of riesling producers, a dedicated specialist with one of the finest winemakers of the variety... Hughes’ commitment to the variety is unswerving with incremental increases in quality seemingly coming each year. From dry styles to wines of varying sweetness levels, this is the definitive riesling project in Australia."
- Mike Bennie (Halliday Wine Companion)