Good things come to those who wait and for sure Ashley & Holly Ratcliff, the couple behind Terra do Rio have spent some time to create their own wines. During decades of work in the Industry, Ashley picked up the Best Viticulturist award one year. So basically if you’re a grape in Australia you want to be grown by Ashley.

With an eye for sustainability, the couple have planted and purchased land in Barmera in South Australia. The Riverland is an area that gets lots of sun but not much rain; many of the vineyards are irrigated heavily. With pressure on water supply in Australia they have identified grapes that work best in warmer, mediterranean climates that demand less water.

Understanding the climate and marrying the vineyards to the best possible grape varieties while reducing water demand, they hope to create some of the best vineyards in Australia. The Terra do Rio (meaning Land of River) project is an estate grown single vineyard, planted to over 7 different Portugese grape varieties.

This is a flavour bomb! Made with three varieties (Tempranillo, Tinta Barroca and Touriga Nacional), this is a blend that balances rich fruit with intense florals and still manages to be balanced and elegant. There's notes of chocolate, clove and blackberry, matching sweetness with a nice mandarin-accented acidity. Red cherry and vanilla close things out.