Collection: CRAWFORD RIVER

Once a tiny outpost in a little-known wine region, Crawford River is now a foremost producer of riesling (and other excellent wines), originally thanks to the unremitting attention to detail and skill of its founder and winemaker, John Thomson. Daughter Belinda has been chief winemaker since ’12 and has experience in Marlborough, Bordeaux, Tuscany and the Nahe. Between '08 and '16 she was a senior winemaker and technical director of a winery in Rueda, Spain. -JAMES HALLIDAY

The Crawford River Vineyard was planted in 1975, in the relatively unknown region of far South-West Victoria. The location of the site – outside traditional wine growing areas at the time – owes thanks to the vision, hard work and determination of its founders, John and Catherine Thomson. Following research and inspiration from around the globe, they were inspired by its geographical and geological potential to produce superior quality grapes. After numerous soil explorations within an area of land originally settled in 1886 by John’s great grandfather for grazing, the first plantings of Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon took place in 1975. John promptly enrolled to study Viticulture and Oenology at Charles Sturt University, with more plantings in 1976 and 1977 and the addition of the winery in 1981. The cool, southerly latitude together with the maritime influence, complex soil structure and favourable micro-climate, create a terroir which has justified the initial vision.