Ben Riggs

After spending twenty one vintages, a decade and a half of them as winemaker for caretaker Mr. Richard Gregory Trott's ironstone foundry and workshop known locally as ‘W2' (nee Wirra Wirra) Vineyards in McLaren Vale, and simultaneously as an air miles lifetime reward(less) Flying-Winemaker (Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Greece, Italy and the South of France) I knew it was time at the turn of the Trillennium to do my own thing…

The rest was, in comparison, simple; McLaren Vale, her beloved Shiraz, my mate and mentor Mr. Tony Parkinson, his Penny's Hill Winery and our mates Messrs. Beal (Snr. and Jnr.). Added to this combination the original Mr. Riggs' Vineyard, and help from friends, the only thing left to decide was what to call the kit…

I always hoped that someday I would make wine for myself, under my own shingle so to speak. Mate and muse Mr. Parkinson convinced me to moniker my first 15 barriques as ‘Mr. Riggs', a title I would prefer to not outgrow.

I reckon people started calling me Mr. Riggs when I outgrew my dad (the previous Mr. Riggs). Since then, altitude has not been an issue; I'd been making Shiraz at sea level, McLaren Vale South Australia , for more than fifteen years.

Motivated by the ‘Monapilla' vineyard of vigneron Mr. Beal (Snr.) and viticulturist Mr. Beal (Jnr.) this wine is the first manifestation of Mr. Riggs's beloved McLaren Vale Shiraz, and in 2001 was the start of things to come…