Riverland

The Riverland has long been recognised as the 'engine room' driving the Australian wine industry.  The region produces nearly 60 percent of South Australia's grapes, which translates to nearly 30 percent of Australia's grape production.  Until recently the area was known mostly for the quantity of wine produced, but the emphasis has changed with an increasingly concentrated focus being directed on quality.

The climate is hot with high evaporation rates and low rainfall, making irrigation essential.  The climate is also continental, resulting in long sunny days and noticeably cooler nights. Modern viticultural and winemaking techniques mean that the climate can be seen as one of the region's strengths.  Long sunshine hours ensure fruit ripens fully and low relative humidity results in little incidence of disease.

Soils are red-brown sandy loam often overlying a limestone substrate.  Fertility rates are moderate. The addition of adequate supplies of irrigation water from the Murray River turns the region's combination of soil and a sunny, reliable climate into an environment ideal for the growing of wine grapes.  The secret to quality resides in restricting fertility and moisture to achieve the necessary balance.