Named in honour of John "The Gaffer" Riggs (1814-1902), the great-great-great grandfather of winemaker Ben Riggs, this McLaren Vale blended Shiraz was made to acknowledge 150 years of the Riggs family’s rich farming heritage in South Australia. It began with the arrival of "The Gaffer" of Dorsetshire, who settled in the Gawler region in 1855. One of South Australia’s best farmers, he came to own hundreds of acres dedicated to quality wheat cropping. His sheep flock was highly regarded and his methods progressive. Success in the wheat trade was enjoyed at horticultural exhibitions including medals in London, Paris and Sydney. "I’d like to think my interest in the land and passion for its offerings are directly attributable to my farsighted ancestor", Ben Riggs, winemaker.
Grapes for this wine have been sourced from vineyards from a variety of McLaren Vale's best sites. A tried and tested area for growing full-flavoured Shiraz, McLaren Vale has almost the perfect climate for grape growing: warm summers, low humidity, good winter rain and long autumns to ensure that grapes achieve ripeness, flavour, acid and balance.
