Murray River Walk: Winemakers Edition
The Winemakers Edition of Murray River Walk is a chance to celebrate the winemakers behind the premium Riverland wines we’ve been featuring on tour for the past 10 years. By day, the walking experience is unchanged, but each evening we’ll be joined by a different Riverland winemaker who will pair their wines with our evening meal, share their passion for winemaking and what makes this region so special to them.
Join us on June 16th and June 30th for our Winemakers Edition of Murray River Walk. The tour is not on-line bookable so please contact sam@murrayrivertrails.com.au to secure a place.
The history of wine in the riverland
The history of wine grapes in the Riverland dates back to the late 1800's with the early settlers of Australia's first irrigation settlement. In 1919 the Soldier's Settlement Bill was passed which brought with it European immigrants with an extensive knowledge of wine and farming. For the past 100 years the Riverland by reputation has been known for bulk wine of export producing one third of Australia's grape crush.
The past 20 years has seen the emergence of innovative winemakers who are leading the charge of alternate varieties more suitable to warm dry climates, recognizing the value in the old vines and embracing unconventional styles to produce award winning wines.
Meet The Winemakers
Eric Semmler - 919 Wines
Eric and Jenny Semmler established 919 Wines in 2002 when boutique winemaking was in its infancy in the Riverland. Eric was awarded Riverland Winemaker of the Year in 2008, and Winestate Australian Winemaker of the Year in 2013. His most recent awards include Riverland Wine Show Best Fortified, Winestate Organic Wine of the Year and Winestate Fortified Wine of the Year.
Three standout achievements:
Pioneer: Eric’s career started with Brown Brothers of Milawa, All Saints of Rutherglen and Auldstone of Glenrowan, before moving to the Riverland as Senior Fortified Winemaker at BRL Hardy where he won numerous awards.
Innovation: Eric and Jenny Semmler have been instrumental in shifting the Riverland wine industry focus from cool climate varieties to warm climate varieties well suited to the Riverland’s terroir.
Leadership: Eric makes wine for several Riverland boutique wine brands enabling grape growers and viticulturists to grow their business model and promote the Riverland wine industry.
Sheridan Alm - Starrs Reach Vinyard
Sheridan Alm is a prominent, award-winning viticulturalist and manager at Starrs Reach Vineyard. Sheridan’s passion is the sustainable use of the Murray River and her focus on environmental stewardship is proving the region's potential for premium, fresh, alternative variety wines. She emphasizes biodiversity, smart technology, and water management, earning accolades including Viticulturalist of the Year at the
Australian Women in Wine Awards in 2019.
Three standout achievements:
Wetland Restoration: A founding member of the Yatco Wetland Landcare Group.
Sustainability: Sheridan integrates native vegetation, beneficial insects, and solar power for a holistic, eco-friendly approach, reducing reliance on chemicals.
Leadership: Former Chair of the Riverland Winegrape Growers Association and Riverland Wine Industry Person of the Year in 2022.
Ashley Ratcliff- Ricca Terra Wines
As a viticulturist and winemaker, Ashley is unashamedly authentic and unafraid to fail. He started his career almost three decades ago, working with big names in Australian wine, including Orlando and Yalumba, and in 2003 he established Ricca Terra Wines to celebrate and redefine the potential of a warm wine region – the Riverland. Since launching Ricca Terra, Ashley has been named Viticulturist of the Year by the Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology and Gourmet Trave ler WINE, and Riverland Winemaker of the Year.
Three standout achievements:
Disruption: Doing the opposite of others, when others planted Shiraz Ashley planted Fiano.
Leadership: In a region known for its bulk and cheaper wines, Ashley created and launched the first $100 bottle of wine with 100% Riverland fruit in 2024.
Inspiration: Ashley has created a secure future for small vineyards planted in a World War I Soldier Settlement in the Riverland, by launching the Soldiers Land label in 2021 and creating outstanding single varietals from 90+ year old Grenache, Riesling and Shiraz grapes. A portion of a l sales goes to the Returned Soldiers League.