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"Ben Riggs is one of Australia’s most talented winemakers, and in spite of his great success in Australia and overseas remains humble and unaffected – a very pleasant and pragmatic fellow!"
A graduate of Roseworthy (in 1985), Ben has made a major contribution to regional wine industry activities having served ten years as a board member of McLaren Vale Winemakers Inc. Three of those years saw Ben in the role of Chairman. He also chaired the McLaren Vale Wine Show over a five-year period. As a winemaker, Ben achieved Bushing King status in 2000. This unique award recognises the maker of the best wine at the McLaren Vale Wine Show.
"Journeys End stands out as one of the best new brands to hit the market over the last year or two, partly due to astute fruit selection and no doubt largely due to the winemaking skills of Ben Riggs who is based at McLaren Vale."
 - Paddy Kendlar, www.wineoutlaw.com.au
Above: Journeys End winemaker Ben Riggs; "When I think of all the wine that remains for me to drink I am certain of enormous pleasure."
 

Wines made by Ben have achieved considerable Wine Show Awards success including winning the first two Great Australian Shiraz Challenges. More than 20 trophies have been won and in 1993, Wirra Wirra 1991 "Angelus" was declared the winner of the Sydney International Top 100 wine awards.
Ben has had 21 years of winemaking experience, with the last 14 years being at Wirra Wirra where he made such great wines as RSW Shiraz and Angelus, which are without doubt Australian benchmark wines.

Ben has also presided over 8 international vintages in countries such as USA (Napa Valley), France (Bordeaux and Southern France), Greece and Italy. His extensive experience with a broad range of wine styles gives Ben the unique position of being a true Master Winemaker.

Ben knows too well that the best chance of producing exceptional wine is when the vineyard produces exceptional fruit. To this effect, specific vineyard sites have been developed that have the terroir to produce the kind of fruit quality that Ben demands.
Ben continues to consult to some of Australia’s most distinguished producers, including Penny’s Hill, Pertaringa, Geoff Hardy, Tatiarra, Coriole and Cazal Viel in the south of France. As well as this, Ben makes wine on his own behalf under the "Mr.Riggs" label utilising grapes from his own vineyard at Piebald Gully and old vines vineyards within the McLaren Vale district. Although the venture is young, The Mr.Riggs wines have already received outsanding praise from the international wine community.

  Ben Riggs in the Vineyard


Ben insists on maintaining the high quality and competitive pricing on his wines and consequently the wines can never be mass-produced. Journeys End Vineyards are content to remain a niche player in the Great Australian Wine Industry.

Married to Annie with young sons, Baxter and Austin, Ben is committed to championing McLaren Vale’s global Shiraz reputation. It is this passion which is driving him to do things his way, and showcase not just the region’s greatest wine grape variety, but to give a free rein to his particular winemaking and wine marketing skills.

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Visit other vineyard sites Ben Riggs is involved in...
www.pennyshill.com.au
www.cambrianshiraz.com
www.pertaringa.com.au
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