We often take out label inspirations from wineries of long ago. Fareham Estate was founded in 1966 at a time when the expert class was just waking up to the beauty of Clare Valley Riesling. In my time as a merchant, I have been to several thousand tastings though only a few stand out.
One of these was an appraisal of the work of John Vickery and Riesling over his long career making Rieslings for Leo Buring and Lindeman’s. His work from 1960 into the 1980s set new standards and to review a long collection of these wines in 2000 was a breath-taking experience. Many of these Rieslings were from the Clare Valley and the best will be forever seen as some of the greatest whites ever made in Australia.
The Clare makes excellent reds which are full bodied, and it is hard to comprehend how this same region can also produce Rieslings of such sublime delicacy. All I can say is that is the way it is.
