Ministry of Clouds Clare Valley Riesling 2023

Region and Vineyards

Clare Valley lies around 125 km north of Adelaide at 300-500 m elevation, its warm days tempered by cool nights and afternoon breezes—conditions that slow ripening and preserve acidity. This broad diurnal range, along with low growing-season rainfall, produces Rieslings of striking lime-accented precision and ageworthiness.

This bottling is anchored in Watervale's famed "Golden Mile", where terra rossa red loam over limestone produces a more aromatic, floral expression, complemented by a smaller share from Penwortham's lean, rocky slopes that ripen later and bring steelier mineral drive. The 2023 harvest followed a cool, La Niña-influenced season; picking was staggered to capture natural acidity and detail.

Winemaking

The wine is 100% Riesling. Fruit was harvested in multiple passes over more than three weeks, pressed and settled naturally. Pressings were retained and sent to oak for wild fermentation; the core of the blend was cool-fermented in stainless steel to lock in citrus purity.

It then rested four months on fine lees, building silky mid-palate texture without obscuring line and freshness. The finished wine sits at 12.5% vol., bottled August 2023; expect a decade of graceful evolution in bottle—shifting toward toast, honey and kerosene nuance while maintaining its taut, stony frame.

Tasting Notes

• Color Pale straw with green glints; youthful and brilliant.
• Aroma Lime leaf, lemon pith and kaffir lime, with lavender, bath salts and a cool mineral thread.
• Palate Bone-dry and tensile: crystalline citrus, chalk-dust texture and a fine, taut acid line carry through a long, saline close.

Did you know?

Clare Valley producers famously spearheaded Australia's modern screwcap movement in 2000, pooling orders and bottling Riesling under Stelvin—an inflection point that accelerated global acceptance of the closure.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Prawn har gow & steamed dumplings: salinity and citrus slice through delicate prawn sweetness; high acidity refreshes between bites.
• Oysters with finger-lime mignonette: briny oyster liquor echoes the wine's mineral line; lime pearls mirror its citrus precision.
• Thai green papaya salad: crunchy texture and lime-chilli zip meet Riesling's zest and cut; the dry finish reins in heat.
• Goat's cheese & herb tart: acidity lifts the creamy filling while chalky texture complements flaky pastry.

History of Ministry of Clouds

Ministry of Clouds was founded in 2012 by Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood with a singular purpose: to create wines designed with gastronomy in mind. This venture was born from their shared desire to live a life immersed in wine—to be their own distinct voice in a bustling industry. After years spent working for others, they sought the freedom to focus on varieties and vineyards they truly loved, savoring the independence to experiment, take risks, and fuel the passion that drives them.

Their love for wine began long before their journey into viticulture and winemaking. Both began their careers with Australia’s finest importers of rare and fine old-world wines, gaining profound exposure to the best of Burgundy, Piedmont, the Rhône, and beyond. Building on this foundation, they transitioned to working for renowned family-owned wineries in McLaren Vale, amassing a combined 16 years of experience. This period allowed them to connect with growers, explore vineyards, observe the seasons’ nuances, and, most importantly, taste extensively across McLaren Vale.

These years taught them the dedication and sheer resolve needed to identify and cultivate exceptional vineyards, to shepherd the resulting fruit through fermentation and aging, and to find partners worldwide willing to share these stories. It was during this journey that they realized that if they wanted to continue in the world of wine, they needed to work for themselves and create their own wines.

Thus, Ministry of Clouds was born. The name symbolizes the illusion of control in winemaking. For these two perfectionists working with nature, it serves as a comforting reminder that the magic of winemaking relies as much on the arbitrary and unpredictable as it does on their intent and precision. They govern what they can; the rest is left to chance. Perhaps that’s simply life itself…

Region and Vineyards

Based in McLaren Vale, Ministry of Clouds has access to some of Australia’s most diverse and ancient terroirs. McLaren Vale itself, with its warm, Mediterranean climate and complex geological composition, provides ideal conditions for growing Shiraz and Grenache. The Ministry of Clouds team prioritizes sustainable vineyard practices across its sites, combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques to enhance soil health and vine resilience.

Ministry of Clouds owns the Chase Vineyard, an 11-hectare plot situated on the dramatic slopes of the Onkaparinga Gorge. This vineyard, established on rock formations dating back over 650 million years, is planted on Maslin Sand and Ironstone soils that create a low-yield environment, concentrating flavors in the fruit. Perched at around 200 meters in elevation, the vineyard’s location exposes it to cooling breezes, which helps maintain acidity and adds to the aromatic intensity of the wines. This unique combination of soil, altitude, and climate results in wines with structure, freshness, and a deep sense of place.

In addition to McLaren Vale, Ministry of Clouds sources fruit from carefully selected, sustainably managed sites in the Clare Valley and Tasmania. The Clare Valley vineyards, known for their limestone-rich soils, produce vibrant Riesling with high acidity and minerality. Tasmania’s cool-climate vineyards offer a distinctive style of Chardonnay, with brightness and precision that contrast with McLaren Vale’s fuller-bodied reds. This commitment to sourcing from diverse regions across Australia enables Ministry of Clouds to create a nuanced portfolio, each wine reflecting the character of its origin.

Wine Range of Ministry of Clouds

The Ministry of Clouds portfolio showcases key varietals that highlight Australia’s regional diversity, including:

• Ministry of Clouds Blewitt Springs Single Vineyard Shiraz: Showcased in both single-vineyard expressions from Blewitt Springs and Onkaparinga Rocks, with each bottling representing the terroir of McLaren Vale.
• Ministry of Clouds Grenache: Known for its delicate red fruit, fine tannins, and aromatic layers, sourced from old vines in McLaren Vale.
• Ministry of Clouds Tasmania Chardonnay: Sourced primarily from Tasmania, bringing a fresh, cool-climate elegance and minerality to the portfolio.
• Ministry of Clouds Clare Valley Riesling: From Clare Valley, characterized by vibrant acidity, purity, and intense mineral notes.
• Ministry of Clouds Kintsugi: A unique blend inspired by the Japanese art of “golden joinery,” where each varietal component is thoughtfully integrated to create harmony and complexity.

Did You Know?

The name "Ministry of Clouds" symbolizes the founders’ philosophy of embracing both old and new winemaking approaches, grounded in tradition yet open to innovation. The winery is committed to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification for all its vineyards, underscoring their dedication to environmental responsibility and the long-term health of the land.

History of Ministry of Clouds

Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood founded Ministry of Clouds after years of working in Australia’s wine industry, where they developed a shared passion for crafting wines that honor the land and the nuances of each site. Their journey was fueled by a desire for independence and creativity, culminating in the establishment of Ministry of Clouds, a winery devoted to small-batch production and sustainable practices. Their aim has been to blend traditional winemaking with a forward-thinking philosophy, emphasizing transparency, integrity, and respect for nature.

Bernice and Julian left established careers at iconic wine estates to follow this vision, adopting an approach that balances precision with restraint. Their work is rooted in sustainable viticulture and low-intervention winemaking, inspired by their belief that great wines require minimal influence in the cellar. Ministry of Clouds has rapidly gained a reputation for the clarity and expressiveness of its wines, capturing the essence of each vineyard. They are committed to creating wines that resonate both with wine enthusiasts and with the land itself, respecting the unique stories and histories that each vintage brings.

Region and Vineyards

Based in McLaren Vale, Ministry of Clouds has access to some of Australia’s most diverse and ancient terroirs. McLaren Vale itself, with its warm, Mediterranean climate and complex geological composition, provides ideal conditions for growing Shiraz and Grenache. The Ministry of Clouds team prioritizes sustainable vineyard practices across its sites, combining traditional knowledge with modern techniques to enhance soil health and vine resilience.

Ministry of Clouds owns the Chase Vineyard, an 11-hectare plot situated on the dramatic slopes of the Onkaparinga Gorge. This vineyard, established on rock formations dating back over 650 million years, is planted on Maslin Sand and Ironstone soils that create a low-yield environment, concentrating flavors in the fruit. Perched at around 200 meters in elevation, the vineyard’s location exposes it to cooling breezes, which helps maintain acidity and adds to the aromatic intensity of the wines. This unique combination of soil, altitude, and climate results in wines with structure, freshness, and a deep sense of place.

In addition to McLaren Vale, Ministry of Clouds sources fruit from carefully selected, sustainably managed sites in the Clare Valley and Tasmania. The Clare Valley vineyards, known for their limestone-rich soils, produce vibrant Riesling with high acidity and minerality. Tasmania’s cool-climate vineyards offer a distinctive style of Chardonnay, with brightness and precision that contrast with McLaren Vale’s fuller-bodied reds. This commitment to sourcing from diverse regions across Australia enables Ministry of Clouds to create a nuanced portfolio, each wine reflecting the character of its origin.

Wine Range of Ministry of Clouds

The Ministry of Clouds portfolio showcases key varietals that highlight Australia’s regional diversity, including:

• Shiraz: Showcased in both single-vineyard expressions from Blewitt Springs and Onkaparinga Rocks, with each bottling representing the terroir of McLaren Vale.
• Grenache: Known for its delicate red fruit, fine tannins, and aromatic layers, sourced from old vines in McLaren Vale.
• Chardonnay: Sourced primarily from Tasmania, bringing a fresh, cool-climate elegance and minerality to the portfolio.
• Riesling: From Clare Valley, characterized by vibrant acidity, purity, and intense mineral notes.
• Kintsugi: A unique blend inspired by the Japanese art of “golden joinery,” where each varietal component is thoughtfully integrated to create harmony and complexity.

Did You Know?

The name "Ministry of Clouds" symbolizes the founders’ philosophy of embracing both old and new winemaking approaches, grounded in tradition yet open to innovation. The winery is committed to Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification for all its vineyards, underscoring their dedication to environmental responsibility and the long-term health of the land.