Vickery Watervale Riesling 2025

Unlike most entry-level Rieslings, which are made for early drinking and fade within a couple of years, this bottle is built with a documented drinking window running to 2041. The pressings technique used here also sets it apart from a lot of Clare Riesling at a similar price, adding real weight to the mid-palate without the bitterness that heavier pressing usually brings along. For buyers in Kenya looking for a serious, ageable white rather than a simple aperitif pour, this is one of the more critically validated options at The Wine Box Kenya, carrying the reputation of a winemaker widely considered the best Australia has produced in the variety.

Tasting Notes

Pale straw in the glass with a flash of green at the rim, the colour giving away almost nothing about the intensity that follows. The nose opens with freshly squeezed lime and grapefruit, green apple sitting just behind, and a lift of meadow flowers and crushed stone that gives the aromatics real lift rather than a flat citrus hit. A touch of makrut lime and lemongrass adds an unexpected savoury edge. On the palate the entry is generous, filling in high through the middle rather than fading, which is the Watervale signature this wine is built around. The acidity is taut and nervy, keeping everything focused even as the fruit runs deep. Apple and citrus carry through to a dry, savoury endpoint, minerals threading through the whole finish. This is not a wine that hides behind sweetness or simplicity. It’s precise, structured, and built with real intent.

Food Pairing

Seafood is the obvious starting point, and Singapore chilli crab is a pairing that keeps coming up for good reason, the citrus and mineral edge cutting straight through the richness of the sauce. Grilled prawns, oysters and any light white fish follow the same logic. The wine’s acidity also handles mild spice comfortably, so a green curry or a lightly spiced Asian dish won’t overwhelm it. For a Nairobi dinner where the seafood course needs a wine with genuine backbone rather than just chill and pour, this is the bottle that earns its place. Serve it properly cold at 8 to 10°C, and don’t rush it. It rewards a bit of time in the glass as the aromatics open up.

What You Need to Know:

Is this Riesling dry or sweet?
Fully dry. The citrus and green apple character can read as vibrant rather than sweet, and the finish closes savoury and mineral rather than sugary.

Should I drink this now or hold onto it?
Both work. Huon Hooke’s own tasting note says it drinks well already, but the structure supports cellaring through to 2041 if you’d rather wait and see how it develops.

What makes Watervale Riesling different from other Australian Riesling regions?
Watervale sits at higher altitude within the Clare Valley, which produces a riper, more generous style that still keeps its acidity. It’s known for filling in on the mid-palate in a way that leaner, cooler sites don’t always achieve.

What food pairs best with this wine?
Seafood is the strongest match, particularly something with a bit of spice like Singapore chilli crab. Grilled prawns, oysters and lightly spiced Asian dishes all work well against the wine’s acidity.

Who is John Vickery, and does it matter that he’s no longer making the wine himself?
John Vickery is widely regarded as the most significant Riesling winemaker in Australian history. He retired in 2023 and Keeda Zilm now leads winemaking, working specifically to preserve his techniques and style rather than change direction.

What should I do if this bottle is out of stock?
Our customer service team can help you find a suitable alternative or source the product where possible. Reach out before your event.

Can I get Vickery Watervale Riesling delivered same day in Nairobi?
Nairobi orders placed before 9 PM qualify for same-day delivery, typically completed within a 1-hour window. Free delivery applies to orders above KES 3,000 within Nairobi. Orders outside Nairobi are delivered nationwide across Kenya within 24 to 48 hours.