Mesh

Mesh is a collaborative project established in 2002 by two prominent South Australian winemakers, Jeffrey Grosset and Robert Hill-Smith. Grosset, based in the Clare Valley, and Hill-Smith, the fifth-generation proprietor of Yalumba and Hill-Smith Family Estates, created the label to combine their technical expertise and shared interest in Riesling. The venture represents a partnership between the two families rather than a corporate acquisition, and the brand remains focused on a single variety from the Eden Valley.

The grapes are sourced from two established vineyards in the Eden Valley, situated at approximately 425 meters elevation. One block was planted in 1944 and the other in 1982. The terroir is characterized by rocky grey loam soils and a cool climate at high altitude, which ensures a long growing season and high natural acidity. The winemaking process is distinct, as the fruit is divided into two separate parcels on the day of harvest. Pickers divide the grapes row by row into yellow and blue buckets, with each color representing a different winemaker's portion. Jeffrey Grosset and Robert Hill-Smith then transport and ferment their respective fruit at separate locations using their own preferred methods. After the wines are finished, the two winemakers reconvene to assess the components and decide on a final blend that balances their individual interpretations of the site.

The producer is dedicated exclusively to the production of Riesling, focusing on the specific citrus and mineral characteristics that define the Eden Valley region. Its primary offering is the Mesh Riesling, which is typically released as a young wine to highlight its vibrant acidity and lime flavors. The project also maintains a program for a Classic Release, which is aged in the bottle for several years before its commercial debut to demonstrate the variety's potential for developing toasty and complex notes over time. The project is recognized for its technical precision and for producing a style of Riesling that prioritizes power and texture. It occupies a specific niche in the Australian wine market as a successful long-term collaboration between two otherwise independent estate owners.