The Calabria Family, Westend Estate, New South Wales

Westend Estate was established by Francesco and Elizabeth Calabria, newly arrived migrants from Italy in 1927. They purchased a five acre block of land at the Western end of the township, Griffith in the Riverina region of New South Wales.

The winery became known as Calabria Wines, now owned and operated by their son, Bill Calabria. In 1974, Bill changed the name to Westend Estate Wines with the aim of increasing the quality and range of wines offered by the winery.

Bill's wife, Lena and their three sons, Frank, Michael and Andrew and daughter, Elizabeth are actively involved. Bill insists upon a hands-on approach and supervises every aspect of the winemaking process. A small crush allows greater concentration on quality in both the vineyard and winemaking process which results in the high standard of wine, that has become expected of Westend Estate each vintage.

The Riesling is made with the gentlest of handling preserving the delicate fruit flavours. Harvested in the cool of the night, the fruit is gently destemmed, crushed and pressed in an air bag press. The juice is cold settled and using only the clear juice is fermented slowly at cool temperatures until dry. The wine is then carefully stabilised and filtered before bottling, ensuring that all the fruit flavours are captured.

Producers Featured Wine

Cool Climate Riesling, 2009 Westend Estate Cool Climate Riesling is pale straw in appearance showing vibrant green tinges. The aromatic nose that leaps out of the glass and develops with intensity showing concentrated lime juice flavours, lemons and hints of underlying spice. A beautifully fresh and lively palate exhibits textured layers of that are tightly bound by a backbone of lime zest. £9.90 per bottle