A Big Win for the Riverland: Local Wines Take Centre Stage in 2025
For years, the Riverland has been known as Australia’s powerhouse of grape production — a region that keeps much of the country’s wine industry running. But 2025 is proving something much more exciting: the Riverland is not just feeding the industry… it’s leading it.
In a year where growers have faced uncertainty, price pressures, and tough seasons, some extraordinary news has emerged — news that reminds us all that the Riverland is a region capable of producing truly exceptional wines.
And this year, the national wine conversation has been impossible to ignore because three Riverland-grown wines have just earned some of the highest accolades in Australia.
Riverland Wines Earning National Attention
Bullets Before Cannonballs — A Red That Refuses to Be Ignored
Our Mediterranean-inspired, Riverland-grown red blend has had a breakout year, taking home three major national achievements:
- Halliday Top 100 Wines
- Halliday Top 50 Reds
- The Weekend Australian Magazine Top 100 Wines
This places it among the most celebrated Australian reds of the year — and yes, it’s grown right here in Riverland soils.
The Colour of Calmness Rosé — Australia’s Best Rosé
Our bright, vibrant rosé took home one of the country’s most competitive awards:
- Trophy for Best Australian Rosé – Rutherglen Wine Show
At a time when rosé is booming, the fact that the best rosé in Australia is coming from the Riverland says everything about the region’s capability to craft premium, modern styles.
Una Vita Grenache Blanc — One of Australia’s Best Drinks, Period
A white wine with Riverland roots making national headlines:
- AFR Magazine – Max Allen’s Top 20 Drinks of the Year
Selected from drinks across the country, Una Vita sits among the top 20 with standout wines, spirits and craft beverages — a huge achievement for a Riverland-grown varietal.
Why This Matters — A Turning Point for the Riverland
The Riverland has long carried the weight of high-volume production, but these awards reflect a powerful truth:
The Riverland is now producing some of Australia’s most exciting, forward-thinking and critically acclaimed wines.
This recognition means more than trophies on a shelf:
- It proves the region’s premium potential
- It gives hope to growers facing economic pressure
- It challenges the outdated “bulk wine” stereotype
- It shines a national spotlight on Riverland innovation, resilience and quality
These accolades belong not just to the wines, but to the growers, pickers, makers, and local community that shape this region.
A Win for the Region. A Moment to Celebrate.
At Ricca Terra, we’re proud that our wines are helping shift the narrative — showing Australia what the Riverland is truly capable of.
But this is bigger than one winery.
This is a Riverland good-news story.
A reminder that exceptional things grow here.
A celebration of quality, creativity and courage in a year that hasn’t always been easy.
Whether you read about it, share it, or taste it for yourself — thank you for being part of this region’s rising momentum.
