The Crawford River vineyard was established in 1975 by John Thomson with the aim of harnessing the cool climate viticultural benefits of a relatively unexplored wine-growing region - the South West of Victoria. 

The long ripening period associated with its southerly latitude, helps to produce grapes of profound flavor and high natural acidity, enabling production of elegant wines that dare to be different. 

 
The 9 hectare vineyard stands alone in the midst of sprawling grazing lands and spectacular State forests. The winery sits atop a hill with the vineyard hugging the steep slope in the middle of the sheep and cattle station that John’s great grandfather took up in 1884. In the near distance meanders the Crawford River, steadily making its way to the mighty Glenelg River.
 
The vineyard’s low-yielding vines grow in gravelly loam soils and, with the long ripening period arid cool, even temperatures, produce grapes of intense flavor and high natural acidity, enabling the production of elegant wines. 
 
The vines are all hand pruned and the grapes hand picked in April/May and meticulous attention is paid to hygiene and modem wine making techniques. Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon are the two main varieties planted, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc. All the wines are grown, produced and bottled at the Crawford River vineyard and winery at Condah.
 
W  I  N  E  S
1999 Semillon / Sauvignon Blanc
Intense passionfruit aromas dominate this delightfully fresh blend. The lively yet delicate palate is well- balanced with sweet varietal flavors and crisp acidity and culminates in a clean dry finish. The strong backbone of semillon helps give it good structure and will enable it to improve over the next few years.
WINEWISE, April 2000: “A beautifully crafted white which offers vibrant passionfruit/grassy aromas and flavors which express the varietal origins and terroir superbly. It’s providing considerable drinking pleasure now, but will be better in a year or two” 
 
1996 Cabernet Sauvignon

This elegantly stylish cabernet is drinking beautifully. With a small percentage of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, the bouquet shows fragrant, cedary aromas and leads to a savory, complex palate with a mélange of varietal fruit flavors.
 
1999 Riesling

“John Thomson (Crawford River) and Stephen George (Ashton Hills) consistently make two of the finest rieslings in the country. Both have impressive track records in the Small Vigneron Awards, and both excelled in the 1999 vintage. John also made a Reserve Riesling (yet to be released) in 1999 for which 100% of the grapes were whole-bunch pressed. The winning wine was only 20% whole bunch, and while preferring his Reserve for the long term, John concedes that the class winner has “a sexier up-front nose.”  According to John, one of the secrets of fine riesling is picking at precisely the right time. “I really like to pick grapes when they’re organoleptically ripe”, John told us. “We test, but pick when they taste right” – WINEWISE, April 2000
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