Crawford River

Producer website



Inspired by its potential to produce superior quality grapes, John and Catherine Thomson planted their vineyard in 1975 at Crawford River, in far south-west Victoria. It was then a relatively unexplored wine growing region and indeed remains merely a blot on the canvas, though the area is now known as the GI of Henty.

Since the initial plantings in the mid 1970´s, there have been 2 more small plantings. Believing in the fine quality of the Semillon included in the original plantings, John and Catherine added another 0.7 Ha of the variety in the early 1990´s.

In 2000, another block of Riesling was added, which now produces the Young Vines Riesling wine.

The cool southerly latitude together with the maritime environment, complex soil structure and favourable micro-climate create a terroir which has justified the initial vision.

Belinda Thomson, elder daughter of John and Catherine, returned home at the end of 2004 after completing her studies in Oenology and Viticulture and pursuing several vintages in various European locations. Since 2008, Belinda divides her time between Spain and home, returning to Crawford River for the winemaking season and the all important blending.

In August 2010, Fiona Thomson - the younger daughter - joined the team. After deciding the wine trade just might be for her, she will soon take on the role of National sales and Marketing.

Presiding over gently undulating grazing lands with sprawling forests in the distance, Crawford River has paved the way for the industry in what is traditionally a wool, beef and dairy region. The winery atop the hill and the vineyard hugging the slope nestle in the midst of a large sheep and cattle station that John’s great-grandfather settled in 1884.

The Vineyard

Rainfall is generally reliable, with much of the 650mm average falling in Winter and Spring . At Latitude 38° South and 110 metres above sea-level, temperatures are cool. Situated approximately 50 kilometres inland from the Southern Ocean, the vineyard enjoys its moderating maritime influence whilst managing to escape most of the Autumn sea mists.

The combination of these factors produces a long and even growing season
helping to produce grapes with intense fruit flavours and high natural acidity. Whilst our dry grown vineyard enjoys low yields, some years require careful manipulation of bunch numbers, ensuring the highest possible fruit quality. Budburst is usually mid-September with picking from mid April to mid May.

The Crawford River vineyard lies at the alluvial edge of a volcanic lava flow. The 11.5 Ha vineyard has its roots in an unusually complex, mineral-rich soil base. Gravelly, friable, basalt loam overlays permeable clay which in turn lies above a limestone base created by an ancient, risen seabed.

Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon are the two main varieties in the vineyard, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

All major activities such as picking, pruning, leaf-plucking, shoot-thinning and green pruning are done by hand.

Our vineyard is maintained without the use of herbicides nor insecticides.

Edit producer information

Group wines by:

• Wine Name
• Variety
• Vineyard
• Vintage

wine type	Name, Type, Locale	Year
Rosé	Crawford River Rosé (View Label Image) Rosé, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2023 2021 2019 2017 2016 2015 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2007
Rosé	Crawford River Vineyard Series Rosé Rosé, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2023
White	Crawford River Beta (View Label Image) White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014
White	Crawford River Cielo Fumé Blanc (View Label Image) White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2013 2012
White	Crawford River Riesling (View Label Image) White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 NV
White	Crawford River Riesling Condah White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2001
White	Crawford River Riesling Expression #1 White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2018
White	Crawford River Riesling Henty White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2020 2019 2018 2017 2013 2006 2001
White	Crawford River Riesling Museum Release White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2016 2014 2013 2012 2008 2006 2005 2004 1997
White	Crawford River Riesling Reserve (View Label Image) White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2022 2018 2015 2014 2013 2011 2010 2009 2008 2006 2005 2004 2003 2001 2000 1999
White	Crawford River Riesling Serendipitous Selection (View Label Image) White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2010
White	Crawford River Riesling Strata (View Label Image) White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2023 2022
White	Crawford River Riesling Young Vines (View Label Image) White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2023 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2008 2006 2005 2004
White	Crawford River Sauvignon Blanc Sémillon White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2021 2009
White	Crawford River Sauvignon Blanc Vineyard Series (View Label Image) White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2022
White	Crawford River Sémillon (View Label Image) White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2011 2003 2000
White	Crawford River Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc (View Label Image) White, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996
White - Off-dry	Crawford River Riesling Noble Dry (View Label Image) White - Off-dry, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2022 2011
Red	Crawford River Cabernet Franc Red, Australia	2018 2013
Red	Crawford River Cabernet Franc (View Label Image) Red, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2019 2018 2016 2015
Red	Crawford River Cabernet Merlot (View Label Image) Red, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2019 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2009 2008 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1997 1995 1993
Red	Crawford River Cabernet Sauvignon (View Label Image) Red, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2019 2018 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2010 2009 2008 2006 2005 2004 2003 2001 2000 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990
Red	Crawford River Cabernets (View Label Image) Red, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2020 2019 2018 2017
White - Sweet/Dessert	Crawford River Nektar (View Label Image) White - Sweet/Dessert, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2017 2016 2010 1999
White - Sweet/Dessert	Crawford River Riesling Nektar (View Label Image) White - Sweet/Dessert, Australia, Victoria, Western Victoria, Henty	2017 2016 2010 2008 2006 2003 2001 1999 1998