Grüner ‘perfectly suited to Adelaide Hills’

Austrian white variety Grüner Veltliner is perfectly suited to the climatic conditions of the Adelaide Hills according to one winemaker championing the grape in Australia.

The Grüner harrst at Hahndorf Hill Estate

Speaking to the drinks business during a recent trip to Australia, Larry Jacobs, founder of Hahndorf Hill Winery in the Adelaide Hills, said:

“Grüner from the Adelaide Hills translates very similarly to those made in Austria as the region virtually mimics its climate. It suits our climatic conditions perfectly.

“For me it was love at first site with Grüner Veltliner. I went to Austria to find out its secrets and brought clonal material back to Australia. It’s still a new variety in Oz but it’s growing. We’ve got around 30 producers in the Adelaide Hills making it from around 50 hectares.

“There are also some great Grüners being made in the Clare and Eden Valley by produders like Henschke. Adelaide Hills Grüner picks up kerosene notes like aged Riesling and has the ability to age for up to 15 years.

“You get lovely character traits out of the wine from skin contact – it’s a winemakers grape as it responds well to you playing around with it.”

Tom Keelan, winemaker at The Pawn Wine Company, is equally enthusiastic about Grüner Veltliner’s potential in the Adelaide Hills.

“The Adelaide Hills is an exciting playground to be in at the moment as you can grow so many grapes successfully here, from Chardonnay and Grüner to Sangiovese and Tempranillo.

“Grüner is still something of a novelty wine here in Australia – the sommeliers love it as it’s something different. Consumers are not quite there yet but they love it when they get it in their mouth,” he said.

“Grüner suffers a lot from bottle shock and doesn’t recover until it’s been in bottle for a few months so we’re wary about releasing the wines onto the market before they’re ready,” he added.