The People
The Oak Hill Riesling is a coming together of two winemakers who share a deep belief in the unique character of this site. Following a decade at Eden Road, Nick O’Leary opened his doors to our winemaker Hamish Young, providing both a foundation and an opportunity to begin the Mada journey. Since then, the friendship has grown through a shared passion for viticulture, thoughtful winemaking and, above all, great wine. The Oak Hill Riesling is a natural expression of that relationship - two winemakers bringing their experience and shared curiosity to a vineyard we believe has something special to say.
The Land
Oak Hill is a fascinating site on a rocky, north-facing escarpment north of Canberra, and east of Murrumbateman. Its soils are a mix of shale and quartz fragments, with a vein of limestone through the lower slope. Drier and more water-hungry than much of Canberra’s Riesling sites, the vineyard’s higher-density planting has encouraged its 30-year-old vines to work hard, producing, concentrated, expressive fruit with remarkable clarity and intensity.
The Wine
A gentle ripening period delivered beautifully concentrated Riesling, balanced by its trademark powerful acidity. The wine shows lemon zest and green apple, with lifted white flower aromatics, and a fine, mouth-watering finish.
The wine is made with gentle extraction and fermented in steel and ceramic steel to preserve the purity and precision of the site, and ceramic to broaden the textural layers and mid-palate weight. The result is a bright, concentrated Riesling, with vibrant, plush citrus, delicate florals and a distinctive mineral character driving the palate, before finishing with fine texture and refreshing acidity.
