2003 The Contours Riesling Museum Reserve, Pewsey Vale

The Pewsey Vale Vineyard was established at Eden Valley in 1847 producing some of Australia’s first cool-climate wines. The early Pewsey Vale Vineyard Rieslings were exported to England where they won numerous awards in the prestigious wine shows of the era. Today Pewsey Vale Vineyard is a highly esteemed, specialist, single-site estate vineyard with provenance. Riesling is the single focus. The wines are made by Louisa Rose, widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest winemakers.
Pewsey Vale is one of the great Riesling vineyards of the world. Elevated above the Barossa Valley on undulating land, Eden Valley is situated between 450 and 500 metres above sea level. At this altitude, the cooler temperatures and greater diurnal range allow the grapes to retain their natural acidity, with aromatics and fine flavours slowly developing well into the cool, dry autumn. The soils through Eden Valley are generally shallow, rocky and acidic, in many areas suited only to the grazing of sheep and cattle. There are special pockets with slightly deeper soils and finer rocks, where the vineyards have been planted.