Winemakers Collection Nelson 'Sweet Agnes' Riesling 2021

95 Points/Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards 2022, UK
Silver - China Wine Competition 2021
Silver - New World Wine Awards 2024
4 Stars - Cuisine Magazine, November 2022
95 Points -Bob Campbell MW, © ‘The Real Review’, therealreview.com
94 Points/Silver - International Wine & Spirits Competition 2023, UK
92 Points/Silver - International Wine Competition 2024, UK

Vineyard: Seifried Edens Road vineyard
Sugar at Harvest: 35.2°Brix
Date of Harvest: Late March - April 2021
pH of Wine: 3.01
T.A of Wine: 14g/L
Residual Sugar: 177g/L
Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans: Yes

The 2021 Seifried Winemakers Collection ‘Sweet Agnes’ Riesling comes from our Edens Road vineyard. This vineyard is bordered by the Wairoa River and is notable for its exceptionally stony soil structure. The free-draining soil is very harsh on vineyard equipment, but vital for holding the warmth of the Nelson sun and for ripening grapes.

Our Winemakers Collection 'Sweet Agnes' Riesling is our iconic luscious dessert wine which takes its name from our co-founder and matriarch Agnes Seifried. It is a very special wine and ages gracefully like its namesake.

Using 100% Riesling fruit, the grapes were hand selected at the peak of ripeness with a large portion of the fruit shrivelled and raisined, caused by natural dehydration. The grapes were picked, pressed and fermented in batches, as grapes were selected during several passes through the vineyard. The grapes were then gently pressed to release a very concentrated intensely flavoured juice. The fermentation was initiated immediately and continued for about three weeks. During this time, the ferment parcels were monitored and tasted regularly. The young wine was then blended and stabilised before bottling in June 2021. The residual sugar in the wine is 177g/L.

We are delighted to make a 2021 Winemakers Collection ‘Sweet Agnes’ Riesling again after deciding not to produce this wine in 2020 due to the challenges of hand-picking grapes during covid lockdown (even given the wine industry was granted permission to continue operating as “essential businesses”).