Food, love and Riesling

If you are lucky enough to meet winemaker, John Hughes, chances are it won’t be long until he flashes you a trademark grin.

There’s an underlying sense of whimsy and perhaps a touch of wickedness about the man that is utterly endearing. Don’t let this fool you, though. John is very serious when it comes to one thing in particular. This thing is perhaps an unusual choice for a single-variety winery in Barossa, but one John is, and has always been, utterly besotted by. John gleefully brands himself with this love, he is Rieslingfreak.

Yes, John produces Riesling, and only Riesling. John’s childhood was spent in his parents’ Riesling vineyard in Clare Valley, so you could say it runs in his veins. Today his love of the variety has expanded across South Australia’s iconic regions, sourcing grapes from 3 sites; Eden Valley, Clare Valley and Polish Hill River. Home now is amongst the hills of Barossa’s Eden Valley.

John laughs that he’s the only Barossa man knowns pecifically for drinking Riesling, a habit which earned him the moniker ‘Riesling Freak’ in University. A name so apt it is now boldly emblazoned on every bottle of his wine.

When talking about John, you can’t leave out Belinda Hughes, his wife and true love. John smiles broadly when talking about his new wife and the shared passion which sparked a beautiful story,

“it took me a while to find another Riesling Freak, luckily when I did find her, she was single!”

Belinda, a fellow white-wine maker has her hand in the business, starting with the production of their ‘wedding wine’ Rieslingfreak No.10 in 2017. Such is the natural symbiosis of the two, their mission of blending the best parcels of Riesling to create a vinous representation of their love took only a single hour. Ask any winemaker about the blending process, especially a collaborative one and you’ll understand just what a feat this is!

Second only to his love for Riesling (and Belinda!) is John’s love of food. Come Friday night there’s always a table spare for John and Belinda at *the* Barossa restaurant to drink Riesling, FermentAsian. If they’re not there, it’s likely you’ll find him at any of the other local restaurants or cooking up a storm for friends and family in his stunning new outdoor kitchen.

For John, bringing the bounty of his region’s produce together in everyday celebration is what life is all about. It’s a love which should be shared, and share it does, all with generosity and typical ’Hughesy’ charm.

So, what to expect from the Top Picks of a Riesling Freak? Yes, a glorious selection of Riesling, but with a smattering of stunning Shiraz for the perfect balance

Barossa Wine Auction Top Picks: John Hughes

1. Lot 19L ULTIMATE EDEN VALLEY RIESLING COLLECTION

This is an amazing collection of Eden Valley Riesling, from 27 different producers. Each producer has provided a 2018 vintage and a one of their favourite back vintage Rieslings. This collection will allow you to create your own verticals of Riesling, or just drink them individually. This is a rare collection, and one definitely worth bidding on.

2. Lot 84W SONS OF EDEN ROMULUS

I am a fan of large format bottles, and an even bigger fan of Sons of Eden. Year after year, the boys at Sons of Eden just consistently produce quality, and the Romulus would have to be my pick.

3. Lot 28W HENSCHKE JULIUS VERTICAL MAGNUM COLLECTION

Henschke Julius would be one of my favourite Rieslings in Eden Valley. I think there is something special about the Juilius vineyard, and something even more special about drinking from a Riesling Magnum. Both of these things put together, makes it one of my picks for the Barossa Wine Auction

4. Lot 37W JOHN DUVAL ENTITY SHIRAZ 3L

Yes, you can see a theme to my selections, bigger the better! 3L of any wine is always good, but when you have legends like John Duval making the Entity shiraz, on a top vintage like 2010, how can you not be drawn to a parcel of this calibre.

5. Lot 7S PETER LEHMANN WINES WIGAN RIESLING VERTICAL

If you have seen my cellar, you would see the many vintage of the Wigan Riesling in my cellar. Always consistently good, a wine that will always cellar for many years. A parcel worth getting and cellaring.