Ricca Terra, Riverland SA
Ricca Terra is the creation of husband & wife team, Ashley & Holly Ratcliff. In 2003 they purchased their first vineyard in Barmera, South Australia.
Their vision was to plant, nurture & make wine from grape varieties best suited to Australia’s warm & dry climate. Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot quickly made way for Nero d’Avola, Montepulciano, Tinta Barroca, Fiano, Vermentino and many other Mediterranean varieties.
Ricca Terra is recognised for its innovation, leadership & vision, which helps contribute to the future reputation & excitement of Australian Wine. Winner of the Gourmet Traveller Viticulturist of the Year, Ashley & Holly have challenged tradition & forged lasting change with their vineyards & wines.
Varietal Mix
Mediterranean white grape varietal blend (Fiano, Greco, Arinto & Vermentino).
The Blend
Four white grape varieties are used to make this wine. Vermentino was chosen for its ability to produce great wine in a warm dry environment and was the first white Mediterranean grape planted at Ricca Terra Farms. Fiano was planted purely for its fragrant flavour and Greco to give a crunchy acid punch. Artino was the special element…the newest grape variety at Ricca Terra Farms.
The Story
In a life before wine, Ricca Terra Farms’ Ashley Ratcliff was a horseman (representing Australia in 1991). Growing up on a farm in the Adelaide Hills, he moved to a small town outside Fort Worth, Texas, USA, where his job was breaking in wild horses.
Working with an animal that has no prior connection with a human, gaining its trust, teaching it to allow a person to climb all over it, and then building a friendship between horse and man is an amazing and rewarding experience.
There are close parallels between breaking in a horse and growing & making alternative grape varieties. Vision, knowledge, trust and patience are required if success is expected, whether that be wine or horse. Get it wrong and you are sure to be bucked off!
