Overview

James Halliday has described the Clare Valley as one of Australia’s most beautiful wine producing regions. Hills fold in on themselves, streamlets meander and lines of gumtrees are forever twisting through pockets of vineyards and around old stone houses.

The Big Picture

Situated in the northern Mt Lofty Ranges, South Australia’s Clare Valley was settled in the late 1830s, with the first vineyards planted and wines produced in the early 1840s. The region is now home to about 50 wineries, with the region producing around 2% of the Australian grape crush.

The same features that make the Clare Valley inherently beautiful – steep north-south ranges rising from the flats to the west, deep narrow gullies, high windswept plateaus, wide open valley floors and austere slate escarpments – are the foundation of Clare’s famed vineyards.

While a traditional region of great history and mature vineyards, the winemakers of Clare could not be accused of resting on their laurels. In a co-operative effort, they decided to start producing their Riesling sealed with a screwcap in the late 1990s. Their pioneering work has seen this type of wine bottle seal widely adopted in many other parts of the world.

Clare Valley Wine Region

Climate

Although much has been written about the climate of this region, in many ways it is difficult to reconcile with its wine styles. Its weather data point to a far warmer climate than is the case; cool afternoon breezes are the key and play a major role in slowing down the ripening process. Furthermore, altitude and position within the Valley, as well as aspect, lead to considerable variations in individual site climate. Overall, however, the climate is moderately Continental, with cool to cold nights and warm to hot summer days. The rainfall is winter-spring dominant, while relatively low humidity (and summer rainfall) means a low incidence of fungal disease.

Soil

Soils of the Clare Valley range from classic terra rossa red topsoil over limestone in the Watervale district to the broken slate of Polish Hill River. The vineyards at the northern end of the valley are planted in deep fertile alluvial ground, where there is little or no need for irrigation. Vineyards in the Skillogalee Valley, to the west of the main valley, are planted into sandy loams with varying amounts of degraded quartz.

Typically the soils from most areas of the valley are free-draining and hold enough water to only require the smallest quantities of supplementary irrigation during the hottest months.

Wines

Riesling: The Clare Valley is renowned as a premier producer of dry Riesling styles. The wines are characterised by juicy citrus characters, minerality and long, fine natural acidity. The style the region is famous for has no oak influence, and the best examples have been proven to age for 20-plus years. The older examples develop extra texture and a toastiness if cellared in good conditions. While many parts of the Clare Valley have been proven to make great Riesling, there has been a focus by many producers on the subregions of Watervale and Polish Hill River. The vineyards of Watervale are predominately grown on limestone and produce a juicier Riesling, whereas the vineyards around Polish Hill River are grown on mainly slate, producing wines that are more tightly focussed.

Shiraz: The Clare Valley produces Shiraz that has fragrance, power, structure and finesse. Typical fruit characteristics are red berries, spice and chocolate. The wines are underpinned by powerful yet soft building tannins, and the best examples have long cellaring potential.

Cabernet Sauvignon: The Clare Valley makes a distinctive regional style of Cabernet with dark berries, chocolate and cigar box being typical characters. The wines are characterised by a juicy mid-palate and long fine tannins. The combination of warm days and cool nights contributes to wines of concentration, fresh fruit character, density and elegance. Cabernet Sauvignon from Clare can be particularly long lived. Cabernet Malbec blends are also considered a regional speciality.

Semillon: Semillon grown in Clare can be characterised as having lemon and/or tropical fruit characters. The wines have good fruit concentration and are rich in character with juicy acidity. The best examples can develop further richness with time in bottle.

Grenache: While not a widely planted variety in Clare, several producers make wines of concentration . Old vines produce wines that are full of flavour, spice and richness.

Vital Statistics

A Case in Point: Jeffrey Grosset, Founder and Owner, Grosset Wines, Clare Valley, South Australia

In 1981, Jeffery Grosset established Grosset Wines in the Southern tip of the Clare Valley.  Jeffery is known for his unremitting dedication and immensely disciplined approach to winemaking.  Meticulous attention is shown at every stage of production, from the choice of the earth itself to the fine-tuning during pressing and fermentation.

Grosset Wines has played a leading role in the quest to improve the closure of wine bottles.  In Jeffrey's own words: "The widespread use of an inert wine closure that works is exciting for those who love wine. No more pouring down the drain wine that the closure has made undrinkable! We can look forward now to enjoying great wine not just great bottles."

But none of his openness to technology and innovation has been at the expense of tradition or of his most deeply held convictions about his craft. Hand picking prevails exclusively in his Clare Valley and Adelaide Hills vineyards.

Jeffrey explains the concept of terroir and the importance of site selection: "Terroir is the French word for what some have know in Australia for thousands of years as pangkarra. Pangkarra is an Aboriginal word … that represents a concept that has no English translation but encompasses the characteristics of a specific place – the climate, sunshine, rain, geology and the soil/water relations. About the closest we can get in English is to refer to 'the site', but even that doesn't cover the major components of terroir, or pangkarra, being the soil and local topography."

Already his achievements for Grosset Wines have been translated into advantages for the Australian wine industry generally. As an acknowledged winemaker par excellence, he can – and unquestionably will – devote himself to the continuing challenge of seeking perfection for the wine lover.

Jeffrey Grosset

Summary

The Clare Valley has a history of winemaking dating back to the 1840s.  The region's best producing vineyards are located at the higher altitude sites or on west-facing slopes.  The region faces a warm to hot summer, but has cool afternoon breezes which play a major role in slowing down the ripening process.  Much of Australia's finest Riesling is grown in the Clare Valley, and the region also produces many other wine styles, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.

Acknowledgements

South Australian Wine Industry Association, Clare Valley Winemakers Inc.

Wineries, Cellar Doors & Vineyards

Adelina Wines, Annie’s Lane at Quelltaler, Artwine, Auburn Vintners, Barletta Bros, Brian Barry Wines, Cardinham Estate, Claymore Wines, Clos Clare, Crabtree of Watervale, Eldredge Vineyards, Grosset Wines, Ingham’s Skilly Ridge Wines, Jeanneret Wines, Jim Barry Wines, Kilikanoon Wines, Kirrihill Estate, Knappstein Wines, Last Word Wines, Lawson Wines, Leasingham Wines, Little Brampton Wines, Mintaro Cellars, Mitchell Winery, Mount Horrocks Wines, Neagles Rock Vineyards, Old Station Vineyard, O’Leary Walker Wines, Olssens of Watervale, Paulett Wines, Pearson Vineyards, Penna Lane Wines, Pikes Wines, Reilly’s Wines, Rhythm Stick Wines, Sevenhill Cellars, Skillogalee Wines, Stephen John Wines, Stringy Brae, Taylors Wines, The Wilson Vineyard, Tim Adams Wines, Tim Gramp Wines, Wykari Wines and Wendouree Cellars.

If you would like to have your winery included in this list, please email awbc@awbc.com.au.