Description
Established in 1981, the winery is situated in the historic township of Auburn at the southern tip of the Clare Valley. Remaining small and focused has allowed Grosset Wines to preserve the character and individuality of the wines, developing a significant international profile by producing wines deemed consistently outstanding, benchmarks in their class.
Jeffrey Grosset, owner and founder, has always been an innovator, challenging tradition and questioning accepted practices. He campaigned to institute the legal integrity of the riesling grape in Australia, was a leading proponent for the introduction of screwcap closures and privately funded research into the subject.
The emphasis is on purity of fruit. The estate vineyards, which are ACO certified organic, are hand tended and each bunch of grapes is harvested at optimum ripeness. The winemaking process is gentle and uncomplicated. With dedication, discipline and the application of knowledge garnered through decades of experience, the result is the finest expression of variety and place.
Jeffrey Grosset is internationally recognised as one of the ‘Top 10 White Winemakers’ (Decanter, UK) and one of the ‘50 Most Influential Winemakers’ (Wine & Spirits, USA) in the world today. Grosset Polish Hill is produced exclusively from the eight-hectare estate-owned Polish Hill Vineyard in the Clare Valley. The gently sloping site is comprised of silt and shallow shales over a thin crust of clay and gravel. This overlays a bed of blue slate, estimated to be around 500-million-years old.
This ‘hard rock’ site was originally part of a larger estate but was considered to be of limited agricultural value and so was sold off. The vines here struggle to draw nutrients from the soil, so the bunches and berries are small, and the fruit flavours lean and austere. Indeed, this vineyard exemplifies how old-rock profiles can contribute to a wine’s character. Relatively close-planted to three clones (two German and one local), this ACO Certified Organic vineyard is completely tended by hand; hand-pruning, shoot and crop adjustment and hand harvesting ensures the delivery of pristine quality fruit. No tillage is employed and no fertilisers are introduced: a mix of natural and introduced clovers and grasses are maintained between the vines and allowed to self-seed.
Since the first striking example of Polish Hill Riesling in 1981, Grosset has maintained a gentle and uncomplicated winemaking approach which focuses on the purity of the fruit. After harvest, the stems are removed and the thick-skinned yellow-tinged berries are lightly split, with only the free run (first cut) juice being used. This, combined with the challenging rocky profile of the site and consequent low yields, results in an average of two bottles of wine per vine being produced. The must is cold-settled before being decanted off. Fermentation and settling on yeast lees occurs over a period of months. Multiple small scale ferments proceed according to clone and vine age, and occur exclusively in inert containers, guaranteeing a purity of fruit expression. They are later assessed and the final blend assembled. Wines from this vineyard are never fined, nor is oak used. The result is the purest possible example of varietal character composed from this unique site: concentrated aromatic wines of great structure, with intense citrus flavours and cool slate characters, finishing long and dry.
From the winery about the vintage: “A Polish Hill for the ages – wonderfully aromatic and intensely fragrant, this 2025 vintage delivers full-throttle power while maintaining the vineyard’s signature finesse. Pure lime juice intensity tingles and electrifies the mid-palate, supported by characteristic slate-driven minerality and bone-dry structure. The wine’s impressive length reveals layers of citrus complexity with that signature lingering finish Polish Hill devotees treasure. This is a white wine that delights in its youth – fresh, bright, and immediately captivating – yet possesses the mineral backbone to age gracefully for decades. The marriage of immediate pleasure and long-term potential makes this vintage particularly special, representing one of the finest expressions from this legendary Clare Valley vineyard. Produced from riesling grown biodynamically at the Grosset Polish Hill Vineyard.
ACCOLADES: Langton’s Classification VII : Rated ‘Exceptional’; Wine Ark : ‘Australia’s Most Collected White Wine’,
98 points, James Suckling “Bright and expressive, with aromas of lemon blossoms, kaffir limes, green apples and crushed slate. The palate is finely etched and vibrant, showing zesty acidity layered with citrus, white peach and mineral flavors. Persistent and tightly wound, with excellent clarity and length. A fine bottling of this famed wine that balances power and restraint. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
96 points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review, September 2020 “Quite pale green-yellow in the glass, restrained and reserved on the nose with pristine lemon blossom and steely mineral aromas. The palate opens with again reserved flavours but great intensity, an impression of ripe-fruit sweetness in the centre before a finish of yeasty/pastry and lime/citrus flavours, white pepper and slaty acidity. Long carry, cleansing and appetisingly more-ish aftertaste. Best cellar for a year or two, then drink for a decade and a half.”
96 points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate “The 2025 Polish Hill Riesling leads with a surprisingly delicate and floral nose. Here, the wine has a powerfully focused acid line, however the fruit is soft and plush—I am inclined to use words such as pretty, delicate and floral. There are notes of white rose, scratched lime zest, mandarin oil, river stone and white spice. The floral aspect is something to behold. This is a beauty.”
95 points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front “The weight of the palate here feels special. In fact the presence of this riesling, which is essentially frisky and, at that, only a few months old, is pretty remarkable. It tastes of stones, bath salts, florals and citrus, a gunmetal aspect lurking within. The purity of the fruit here, and the power of it, and the chalky, stony impression of the finish, all served in the context of flavour-filled, mouthwatering acidity: it’s all as delicious as it is a statement on quality. Superb release.”
95 points, Mike Bennie, Australian Wine Companion “This release comes with some upfront approachability, while maintaining expected intensity, quality in concentration of flavour, a piercing acid line and chalky, puckering texture. There’s immense complexity here – lime, gingery apple juice, jasmine tea, pink grapefruit and talc-chalk minerality. The potency and flesh are interesting; they speak of an easy access now, and perhaps a little less longevity from this release. No quibble – the fruit personality and depth are impressive. The crystalline finish is a treat, too. Excellent, of course.”
97 points, Winsor Dobbin, Gourmet on the Road “Get your orders in now. The 2025 vintage of Grosset Polish Hill Riesling maintains its place as Australia’s best – and much sought-after – dry riesling. Jeffrey Grosset reports that “pristine fruit culminated in exceptional wines”…the precision and panache…from a year that Grosset says shows the full benefits of biodynamics in the vineyard. Lemon, lime, grapefruit notes, but also some impressive vitality and texture. Delightfully delicious.”
RRP $94 *Our Special Price $79.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine.
