The 2011 vintage was a difficult vintage for many winemakers. Having a wet summer and humid conditions, are not ideal conditions to be growing grapes. The 2011 Rieslingfreak wines were sourced from the family vineyard, situated in the sub region of White Hut, in the Clare Valley.
The vineyard is situated is a gully, which is often windy. These windy conditions work favourably on the vineyard, drying the vines out after the rains, and therefore minimising the humid conditions in the vine canopy.
Together with good vineyard management, and the windy location, the Rieslingfreak grapes were spared of any mould growth. The grapes were harvested early in the season, resulting in a lower alcohol than previous vintages, but encompassing the depth of flavour for which the hallmark of the Rieslingfreak wines.