Mitchell Wines ‘McNichol’ Riesling
Region: Clare Valley, SA
Viticulture: Sustainable
Winemaker: Andrew & Jane Mitchell
Established Date: 1975
The Single vineyard that supplies the grapes for the acclaimed McNicol Riesling may be the prettiest in all of the Clare Valley. It lies on the side of a steep hill rich in quartzite, with views of Sevenhill and Watervale beyond. Kangaroos hop around the dry grown vines. Situated 100m above our Watervale vineyard sites, the Single Vineyard has never been irrigated. The soil is grey sandy loam ovr silt stone, and neither herbicides nor pesticides are used in the growing of these exceptional grapes.
The fruit was picked on April 1 before being fermented in a mix of stainless steel and French oak. In true McNicol Riesling tradition, the wine was aged in a 3,000 litre oak barrel and maintained on lees before bottling. Only 250 cases produced.
Sommelier’s Recommendation
Super rich in style with an amazing creamy texture from the time spent on lees. Still has that typical Clare Valley petrol on the nose with zingy notes of lemon curd on the palate and stony minerality thrown into the mix. The use of oak makes this a truly unique wine. I really look forward to the release of the new vintage each year.
Moving his family in 1949 to a mix-use farm in Clare, Peter McNicol Mitchell worked the land with a dairy, orchard and a small underdeveloped patch of vineyard. Days were long and Mitchell family didn’t have the luxury of modern technology or machinery to streamline the farming and viticulture processes.
Peter McNicol Mitchell’s son, Andrew, grew up experiencing the highs and lows of farm life firsthand, the perfect seasons that grew full and healthy vines and the summers with long, hard droughts. With farming and viticulture in his blood, Andrew Mitchell was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. In 1975 he took over the family farm, establishing Mitchell Wines and continuing in his father’s legacy.
Andrew grasped the traditional methods implemented by his father while throwing himself into learning the ins and outs of both traditional and modern winemaking. His studies took him around the world, learning about different techniques, styles and approaches, feeding his insatiable appetite for knowledge. He implemented his newfound learning’s to Mitchell wines and with his wife, Jane, by his side; they became a recognised and highly respected duo in the South Australian wine industry.
Peter McNicol Mitchell’s son, Andrew, grew up experiencing the highs and lows of farm life firsthand, the perfect seasons that grew full and healthy vines and the summers with long, hard droughts. With farming and viticulture in his blood, Andrew Mitchell was destined to follow in his father’s footsteps. In 1975 he took over the family farm, establishing Mitchell Wines and continuing in his father’s legacy.
Andrew grasped the traditional methods implemented by his father while throwing himself into learning the ins and outs of both traditional and modern winemaking. His studies took him around the world, learning about different techniques, styles and approaches, feeding his insatiable appetite for knowledge. He implemented his newfound learning’s to Mitchell wines and with his wife, Jane, by his side; they became a recognised and highly respected duo in the South Australian wine industry.
