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Pewsey Vale

Pewsey Vale was established by Joseph Gilbert, who arrived in Australia in 1839 having left his home in the Vale of Pewsey in Wiltshire. Within two years he had purchased the property in the Eden Valley in South Australia, built his home there and planted the first vines. It was not until 1847, however, that serious viticulture was underway, with the planting of a 1ha vineyard. Over 150 years on (there has been a period of disuse in the interim) it is winemaker Louisa Rose that controls operations at Pewsey Vale. A Roseworthy graduate (Australia's wine college), she quickly moved from her studies to winemaking at Yalumba, and by 1996 she oversaw the whole white and sparkling range. At that time she also took up a position at Pewsey Vale.

It's easy to see the appeal that Pewsey Vale must have held for her. It is a long established vineyard, although the original vines have obviously long been replaced. The current vineyard was planted in 1961. The vines sit at up to 500m above sea level, an altitude which provides a cooler mesoclimate and significantly lengthens the growing season. This helps to enhance the freshness and balance of the wine in bottle - these are 'cool-climate' wines. The soils are light and sandy loams, over clay subsoil, which is fine for Riesling. The vines themselves are all propagated from original Pewsey Vale stock, which is now known as the Pewsey Vale clone, the ancestry of which can be traced back to the original vines transported to Australia by James Busby. Busby is widely regarded as the father of the Australian wine industry, have brought with him the first vines from Europe.

Although Pewsey Vale has a great history it is also forward looking. Since its renovation in the 1960s the owners have built up a library of vintages, many of which have been bottled under Stelvin (screwcap). At present there are two wines produced. The Vineyard Selection is the standard cuvée, although it is by no means ordinary. The second cuvée is The Contours, this being held back and put onto the market as a 'museum release' with more bottle age. Both wines are, like the vintage library, now bottled under screwcap.

Pewsey Vale has been a favourite Summertime drink in the past but I recently noticed that I haven't managed this in the past couple of years. So many wines, so little time I suppose. I put this right by tasting the 2003 vintage. (30/6/04)

Contact details:
Address: Eden Valley Road, PO Box 10, Angaston, South Australia 5353
Telephone: +61 (0) 8 8561 3200
Fax: +61 (0) 8 8561 3393
Internet: www.pewseyvale.com

Pewsey Vale - Tasting Notes

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Pewsey Vale Riesling (Eden Valley) 2008: Dry and powerful fruit here on the nose, with a suggestion of sweet and honeyed richness. Rather a golden, autumnal fruit style, so quite different to the two preceding wines. Ripe fruit, but good acids too, moderate concentration and a little touch of sherbet. A good wine, with a little touch of bitterness that I like, and a firm style overall. From the 2009 Australia Day tasting. 16+/20 (January 2009)

Pewsey Vale Gewurztraminer (Eden Valley) 2007: The nose here is surprisingly good; there is none of the blowsy character that marks (and spoils) many examples of this variety. Instead we have a clean, orange blossom and fruit-tinged nose, which seems very nicely composed. On the palate it is quite dry; there is some flesh to it, perhaps suggesting a little residual sugar, but it has a good peppery grip and underneath a supple style. This is a good, simple but nicely balanced wine. From the 2009 Australia Day tasting. 16.5/20 (January 2009)

Pewsey Vale Pinot Gris (Eden Valley) 2007: Very subtle fruit on the nose here, with a gentle pear and stone fruit character. It does suggest some nice substance, although on the palate it has a rather clean, well defined and fresh character with not so much concentration, especially in comparison with the Gewurztraminer. Good, slightly bitter pear fruit though. Another clean, simple but nicely presented wine. From the 2009 Australia Day tasting. 16/20 (January 2009)

Pewsey Vale Prima Riesling (Eden Valley) 2007: Not such an expressive wine on the nose, although it does have some nice, lean, lemon-tinged fruit. Sherbet freshness, and an immediately flattering palate - there is a decent whack of residual sugar here. Less punchy than the other Pewsey Vale Rieslings, softer and rounder, and less focused on the finish. Nice though. From the 2009 Australia Day tasting. 15.5+/20 (January 2009)

Pewsey Vale The Contours Museum Release Riesling (Eden Valley) 2003: This has a lovely nose, obviously mature but remaining very fresh. A touch petrolly, but this is well integrated into the aroma profile alongside some rich fruit. Nicely composed on the palate, starting off lean and a touch sherbetty, although with a broader midpalate, richer and with a minerally-chalky-rock dust acidity. A good dry and firm finish. In truth the palate doesn't quite live up to the promise of the nose, but this is still very good overall. From the 2009 Australia Day tasting. 17/20 (January 2009)

Pewsey Vale Individual Vineyard Selection Riesling (Eden Valley) 2003: Beautiful colour, just like previous vintages of this wine. A rich nose, with real character; lime fruit with a creamy richness, and a mineral strength, together with fresh, green, floral notes. Full, sinewy, appropriately textured on the palate. There is some richness here, buoyed by fresh acidity, but which fans out to a buttercream and mineral depth on the finish. Delicious. 17.5+/20 (June 2004) Label

Pewsey Vale Individual Vineyard Selection Riesling (Eden Valley) 1999: The 1999 vintage has a typical Riesling hue - a lemon yellow with a definite hint of green. Delightfully waxy on the nose, with lemon-lime aromas. The wine has a perfect weight on the palate, with lovely balancing limey acidity and attractive white fruit. Finishes clean and crisp. A little less floral and aromatic than the 1998, but nevertheless it's lovely stuff. 16.5/20 (September 2000)

Pewsey Vale Individual Vineyard Selection Riesling (Eden Valley) 1998: On the nose this wine gives out lovely lime and blossom aromas, with a waxy richness. Classic Aussie Riesling. The palate has a lovely weight, with tropical fruit richness balanced with a mouth-watering lemon-lime acidity. Even some length. Delicious stuff. 16.5/20 (June 2000)

Pewsey Vale Individual Vineyard Selection Riesling (Eden Valley) 1997: A bright and vivacious lemon-green colour. A very expressive nose, full of floral and blossom notes, citrus peel, tropical fruit and green apple freshness. Good weight on the palate, with a large whack of alcohol. Lots of tropical fruit salad and lychee flavours. Fresh, delicious and tingling acidity. 16/20 (July 2001)