Mount Horrocks Semillon 2024

Region and Vineyards

Watervale, in South Australia's Clare Valley, is prized for whites that combine bright acidity with depth. The Mount Horrocks Semillon block is a north-facing site at 480 metres elevation on distinctly rocky, low-fertility soils—conditions that naturally limit yield and intensify flavour. The vineyard forms part of the estate's compact holdings around Watervale and Auburn and is farmed to highlight purity and place.

Certified organic and biodynamic, the site is hand-tended and hand-harvested, with vines deliberately "challenged" to produce concentration and structure. In 2024, a small run (about 242 cases) underscores the artisanal scale. The result is Semillon with classical Clare Valley nerve, but also the mid-palate weight to carry subtle oak and lees-derived texture—qualities that set this cuvée apart from lighter, unoaked regional interpretations.

Winemaking

Grapes are hand-picked, then gently crushed and destemmed before fermentation. In contrast to many Australian Semillons, this wine is 100% barrel-fermented in French oak barriques (around 30% new), bringing discreet spice and structure while safeguarding varietal clarity.

Texture is built via lees stirring every two weeks for three months, followed by a further eight months on lees in barrel. Bottling occurs without fining to preserve integrity and mouthfeel. The guiding intent is balance: a dry, citrus-driven core framed by creamy lees complexity and perfectly judged oak—crafted for immediate pleasure and graceful evolution.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Light, bright yellow-gold with green glints.
• Aroma: Granny Smith apple, lemon zest and subtle grassy notes, layered with faint spice and restrained French oak.
• Palate: Generously flavoured yet crisp and refreshing; citrus and stone fruit ride over a creamy, lees-derived texture. Dry, precise finish with impressive length and lingering freshness.

Did you know?

Mount Horrocks' cellar door is the restored Auburn Railway Station, revived by Stephanie Toole in 1998—a fitting emblem of the estate's blend of heritage, sustainability, and meticulous modern winemaking.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Roast chicken with lemon and thyme - Citrus lift and gentle oak mirror the seasoning; acidity refreshes the palate.
• Seared scallops with beurre blanc - Creamy lees texture complements butter richness while the wine's brightness keeps things lively.
• Asparagus and parmesan risotto - Herbal notes and vivid acidity cut through the risotto's creaminess.
• Aged goat's cheese - Taut acidity and subtle oak frame the cheese's tang and nuttiness.

History of Mount Horrocks

Stephanie Toole purchased Mount Horrocks in 1993, bringing a laser-focused, quality-first philosophy to this boutique project. In April 1998 she restored and reopened the historic Auburn Railway Station as the cellar door—now a beloved landmark for visitors travelling the Riesling Trail.

Over subsequent vintages she consolidated estate holdings and refined the range, matching varieties to specific sites and farming with increasing ecological ambition. By the mid-2010s the vineyards achieved organic certification, and they are now farmed biodynamically—an approach visible in the precision and textural detail of the wines.

In 2024 Toole was recognised as a Clare Valley "Legend", underscoring her long-term influence on the region's modern, terroir-driven identity.

Region and Vineyards

Mount Horrocks sits in South Australia's Clare Valley, a warm region moderated by afternoon breezes and notably cool nights. Vineyards are typically 300-500 m (with peaks above 570 m), delivering slow, even ripening and vivid natural acidity—especially for Riesling. Soils vary from limestone-rich red loams (Watervale) to broken slate (Polish Hill River), shaping markedly different expressions.

The estate farms multiple, carefully matched sites around Auburn and Watervale. The Alexander Vineyard in Watervale (planted solely to Shiraz/Syrah) sits near 475-480 m; a separate Watervale block grows Riesling, Semillon, Nero d'Avola and Cabernet Sauvignon; and a dedicated site near the cellar door supplies the emblematic Cordon Cut Riesling. Total holdings are small (circa 10 ha), underpinning the winery's limited production ethos.

Wine Range of Mount Horrocks

The portfolio is compact and site-specific:

• Whites centre on Watervale Riesling (dry, line-driven and ageworthy) and Semillon (textural, often barrel-influenced), while the sweet Cordon Cut Riesling is a benchmark of its style.
• Reds include a fragrant, mid-weight Alexander Vineyard Shiraz and a vibrant Nero d'Avola—one of the Clare Valley's early plantings of the Sicilian grape—alongside a classic Cabernet Sauvignon.

All wines are estate grown, hand-picked and bottled under screwcap for longevity.

Did you know?

Mount Horrocks' Cordon Cut Riesling is made by physically cutting the vine canes once grapes are ripe, leaving bunches to desiccate naturally on the cordon. This controlled passerillage concentrates flavour while preserving Clare's hallmark acidity—an Australian classic pioneered and perfected at the estate.