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It was 17 years ago when a little winery in the Barossa was born from the love of riesling.
Starting as just a small passion project that John Hughes began and now it’s grown to a portfolio of 11 different Riesling styles. That’s it, no shiraz or rose, RieslingFreak are in love with one wine, and it’s proven that they do it well.
The whole concept was a bit odd to outsiders, and ‘no one thought a brand dedicated entirely to Riesling would work,’ but John has proved them wrong.
That intense love is being recognised on a national stage as Rieslingfreak’s No. 8 Polish Hill River Schatzkammer Riesling 2025 was named The Real Review’s Sweet Wine of the Year Australia 2026.
John has been there since the beginning and now works with a well oiled team including his wife Belinda Hughes, Mark Thomas and Jamie Montgomery.
John and Belinda said the whole team were ecstatic to hear the news.
“The wine is a special Riesling in our collection, being made in a German Kabinett style, and there are very few Australian producers making wine in this way,” the pair said.
“For this style of sweet white wine to be acknowledge is a true honour.”
The duo met at an International Riesling Challenge in Canberra, where they struck up conversation over a shared love of the specific grape variety. They’ve taken inspiration from across the globe to create the rieslings in their line up right now.
“As passionate riesling producers that make Riesling from different regions in South Australia, and a number of different style.”
Their award winning wine is made from grapes picked early, creating a natural acidity that is higher than other Rieslings.
“Rieslingfreak No.8 Polish Hill Schatzkammer Riesling, is made in the German Kabinett style which means that this wine is a sweet, low alcohol wine with lots of zingy acidity,” they said.
“To balance this extra tang, we stop the fermentation before it is finished, leaving natural grape sugar in the wine and reducing the final alcohol.
“The unique balance of this wine means that it is not just a dessert wine or necessarily exclusively for those with a sweet tooth – it also goes brilliantly with savoury dishes.
“We love it with roasted pork belly – or as a cheeky breakfast wine with an Egg and Bacon Roll!”
“Rieslingfreak is all about championing this versatile variety and showing Australian wine lovers and the world that Aussie Riesling is among the best on the planet,” they said.
“From dry to sweet, sparkling to fortified; Riesling is the ultimate chameleon and Rieslingfreak endeavours to show the world that there is a perfect Riesling for every palate.”
Over the next 12 months a lot is in store for the team who have just wrapped up the 2026 vintage and Belinda and John say it’s showing some of the best purity they’ve seen.
“With release booked for the 7th of July, we can’t wait to share our new range of Rieslings with the world.”
“We have all the usual suspects – including a spectacular follow up to the 2025 No.8 – plus a couple of new and special release numbers to add to the line up to continue to expand the Rieslingfreak story.”
If you are looking to get your hands on their award-winning drop, much to no surprise it as currently sold out but customers can reach out to the team direct to register interest for the 2026 Vintage Release.
RieslingFreak
Where: 25 St Hallett Rd, Tanunda
For more, click here.
Dining and Cooking