The Vickery Reserves are the jewel in the crown. Crafted only in the best vintages, winemaker Keeda selects the single best site from our Watervale growers, looking for fruit that shows exceptional purity and the ability to age.
From the 2022 vintage, a small parcel from the Koerner G6 Block stood out for its unique character and potential for ageing and was kept separate from the main Watervale blend. The ‘G6 Block’ has east-west row orientation and a gentle west facing aspect. The vineyard sits at approximately 420m above sea level from top to bottom. Even with a dry winter, this was a great Watervale vintage with excellent quality, and the G6 Block produced wine of exceptional purity and finesse allowing for extended ageing and a late release.
The grapes were harvested on the 3rd of March with the fruit being taken immediately to Watervale for pressing to avoid extended skin contact and over extraction of phenolics. Made using the classic methods of the great John Vickery, light pressings material was included to develop structure and longevity but finessed to avoid excessive extraction or bitterness. The wine has been maturing in our temperature controlled cellar until deemed appropriate for release.
Vickery Wines
If there is one name synonymous with Australian Riesling, it is John Vickery. Beginning with the iconic Leo Buring Riesling in 1955, John helped redefine Australian Riesling, championing the potential of Eden Valley and Watervale to produce dry wines of purity, longevity and strong regional character. Over a career spanning more than 50 years, he pioneered many of the techniques now fundamental to premium Riesling production, including cool fermentation, gentle fruit handling and the early adoption of screw caps.
Today, Vickery Wines continues that remarkable legacy in partnership with winemaker Phil Lehmann, sourcing fruit from exceptional vineyards across Eden Valley and Watervale. The result is a collection of Rieslings that reflect John's lifetime of knowledge, precision and uncompromising pursuit of quality — recognised by more than 50 trophies and 400 gold medals throughout his career.
