We’ve got a new variety on the block, Tempranillo Blanco. Topper’s Mountain is Australia’s only commercial producer of this rare Spanish white Tempranillo mutation.
Fresh, juicy and incredibly versatile our Topper’s Mountain Tempranillo Blanco is bright, textural, and full of character. Its equally at home as a fresh, vibrant chilled white or as a wine with genuine ageing potential. The variety’s fresh acidity and enticing aromatics make it incredibly versatile. Excited? So are we!
Sometimes nature surprises us
In 1988, in a vineyard in Spain’s La Rioja region, a grower noticed something unexpected. A single cluster of white grapes instead of Tempranillo’s signature midnight blue. Where there should have been red, there was gold.
It was a mutation, a natural twist in the vine’s genetic code that created something entirely new: Tempranillo Blanco. The same variety that defined Spanish winemaking for centuries had quietly reinvented itself in white.
The grape sparked curiosity and by the mid-1990s, Spain’s Center for Agricultural Research and Development was conducting trials. In 2007, the Consejo Regulador of Rioja officially allowed its use in the region’s white wines.
What you can expect
“This balance of immediate appeal and long-term promise is what drew us to the grape in the first place,” says Mark.
Our high-altitude vineyard, with its vibrant red volcanic ash soils, provides the perfect conditions for this rare variety. The cool nights allow Tempranillo Blanco to develop complexity while maintaining the juicy acidity that makes it so distinctive.
It’s a grape that demands attention, thrives on challenge, and rewards patience much like our vineyard itself.
“We’re really excited to introduce this variety to our cool-climate home in New England, New South Wales. We get to explore its characteristics in our terroir and really experiment to make it our own,” says Winemaker, Jan Taborsky.
Tempranillo Blanco ripens relatively early, despite its late bud break. At harvest, the grapes arrive in the winery with nice, fresh acidity. After primary fermentation, the wine goes through malolactic fermentation creating wines with natural structure and vibrancy. Its aromatic profile leans to stone-fruit, ripe citrus and herbs plus delicate floral undertones.
This is Australian Tempranillo Blanco. Unexpected? Absolutely. But that’s always been our way. We seek out varieties that challenge convention and reward curiosity. We’re not interested in following the crowd. We’re here to make wines that reflect curiosity, place, and the thrill of discovery.
Food Pairing
Tempranillo Blanco is a swiss army knife. Whether you need structure to match texture, or something to cut through richness and fat. Think Tempranillo Blanco. It’s got notes of pithy, stone fruit, ripe citrus, herbs, low aromatics, textural weight, and enough backbone to handle food that would steamroll lighter whites.
Summer Tip
Serve this warmer than typical whites at around 10-12°C rather than fridge-cold. You’ll taste more complexity, more of what makes this variety special.
The adventure continues at the Cellar Door! Join us and try our Tempranillo Blanco.
