Eden Valley

Question 1

Where is Eden Valley located?

Answer 1

East of the Barossa Valley, the Eden Valley is not really a valley at all, but rather an area of
rolling, exposed hills. It forms part of the Mount Lofty Ranges and, in some places, the gradient
can be steep enough to limit mechanisation

Question 2

Vineyards and climatic conditions?

Answer 2

Vineyards stretch up to over 600m above sea
level and their climate becomes cooler with altitude.
The high sites are exposed: rainfall levels are higher than in the Barossa Valley (around
230mm in the growing season) and the wind can be strong enough to affect flowering and
ripening. However, there are some
sheltered, drier and slightly warmer areas
on the valley sides.

Question 3

What are the soils?

Answer 3

There is a wide variety of soil types but
most have good water-holding capacity.
This, with slightly higher rainfall, means dry
farming is much more common than in the
Barossa Valley

Question 4

Grape varieties grown?

Answer 4

Eden Valley is also known
for its old vine plantings, especially of
Shiraz and Riesling but also other varieties
such as Grenache.
Eden Valley produces almost equal
amounts of white and red wine. Riesling is
the most planted variety, making up over
one third of plantings

Question 5

Explain the style, quality and price of Eden Riesling

Answer 5

Eden Valley Riesling
tends to be dry in style, with high acidity
and medium alcohol. Most are fermented
dry in stainless steel to preserve the
pure citrus fruit (lemon and lime) and
floral aromas. The best wines can age
for a number of years, gaining layers of
honey, nuttiness and toast over time and
many premium wines are bottle aged for Riesling with irrigation, Eden Valley.
Australia 533
many years prior to release to increase complexity. Eden Valley Rieslings tend to be good to
outstanding in quality, and mid- to premium priced

Question 6

Explain the style of Eden Shiraz, quality and price

Answer 6

The most planted black variety is Shiraz. Compared to the Barossa Valley, Shiraz from
the Eden Valley tends to have higher acidity, more structured tannins, and lower alcohol.
The flavours sit between the very ripe style from Barossa and the peppery styles from cooler
climates; instead, they tend to have ripe but fresh plum and blackberry aromas with sweet
spice notes from oak

Question 7

Significant producers

Answer 7

Henschke and Pewsey Vale, Yalumba,
Powell & Son, Flaxman Wines, Leo Buring