Ministry of Clouds Riesling 2024

Ministry of Clouds was founded in 2012 by Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood with a shared vision: to create wines that speak to their passion for both gastronomy and winemaking. Their journey began in the world of wine importation, where they immersed themselves in the best of Burgundy, Piedmont, the Rhône, and beyond. With years of experience in the McLaren Vale wine region, they developed a deep connection with the vineyards, observing the changing seasons and tasting from local growers.

At Ministry of Clouds, they have embraced a philosophy of producing wines that are sustainable and elegant, drawing on their backgrounds and respect for the old-world traditions. Their approach to winemaking is rooted in hands-on techniques, with an emphasis on purity and expression. The goal is to highlight the distinctiveness of each vineyard and vintage, using traditional methods and innovative practices to craft wines that are both contemporary and classic.

At Ministry of Clouds, the philosophy is centered around the balance between control and nature. Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood believe that great wines are made from both intention and the unpredictable magic of nature. Their approach combines careful vineyard management and winemaking precision with the understanding that, in the end, wine is an expression of both the land and the elements beyond our control.

Their own 11-hectare vineyard, The Chase, sits atop the rugged Onkaparinga Gorge in the Seaview subregion of McLaren Vale, where the vines are exposed to the unique terroir of ancient bedrock and fragile soils. The team at Ministry of Clouds practices sustainable farming and values hand-picking, careful pruning, and the use of wild fermentation to preserve the purity of the fruit. By embracing both traditional and modern winemaking methods, they aim to craft wines that are fresh, complex, and expressive of their origins.

Of all the many grape varieties, Riesling is the most transparent expression of a vineyard site. Ministry of Clouds have long loved the more crystalline expressions of Clare Valley Riesling, embracing the exquisite risk inherent in delicacy and fragility. Never a wine about winemaker ego, or manhandling in the winery, just purity…

From a range of individual picks separated by 2 weeks, each settled naturally post press, with pressings retained and transferred to oak for wild fermentation, the heart of the blend was cool fermented in stainless and aged upon fine lees from 5 months. With high natural acids present, coupled with relatively low Baumés, each parcel exhibited beautifully delicate and fine aromas, lavender and lime leaf, lemon pith, bath salts and mineral as the bedrock. Classic Clare citrus notes are complimented by the mouth-watering chalky and
mineral texture on the palate, finishing with a fine and taut acid line.

The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Riesling
Country - Australia
Region - Clare Valley, South Australia
Vintage - 2024
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 11.5%