Eden Valley is a rugged and enchanting region located in the Barossa Ranges, part of the southern Mount Lofty Ranges, which run north-south along the eastern rim of the Barossa Valley. Not actually a single valley, Eden Valley is a region of rolling hills and vales dotted with rocky outcrops and ancient gums.
While the neighbouring Barossa Valley has an altitude of around 200 to 300m, Eden Valley reaches 400 to 500m. The higher altitude affects a cooler climate, with warm days and cool nights, lending its wines distinctive, cool-climate flavours, intense aromas and crisp, fresh acidity.
At Wolf Blass we source a number of different grape varieties from Eden Valley, however its shining lights are Riesling and Shiraz. Riesling is well-suited to the higher, cooler vineyard sites, while the best Shiraz comes from lower-lying vineyards. As well as offering intense, cool-climate fruit, these Shiraz vineyards enjoy slightly warmer days, encouraging optimum levels of ripeness and flavour concentration.
Riesling is widely known the region’s most acclaimed star. Many Australian vineyard sites are too warm to produce great Riesling, as it fails to build flavour when it ripens too early or too quickly. Otherwise, they’re too cool, and flavour does not develop enough to balance austere acidity.
Eden Valley, though, has established itself as the variety’s spiritual home. Its ideal climate allows the grapes to ripen just slowly enough to develop punchy, citrusy flavours and delicate florals, while still retaining a fine, complex subtlety. Made without the use of oak, Riesling is all elegant, purity of fruit, faithfully reflective of its origins, with Eden Valley Rieslings hinting at the chalky, mineral structure of the region’s shaly soils. Their full-flavoured mid-palate is balanced by a steely dryness that pairs perfectly with light, flavoursome and spicy foods, just right for spring dining.
And for those who appreciate a little maturity, Eden Valley Rieslings age gracefully, developing a rich, honeyed, toasty complexity for many years to come.
Try our Gold Label Eden Valley Riesling with Seared Scallops with Baby Spinach, Apple and Cider Vinaigrette.