Mudgee’s First Ridge Wines has released two new vintage white wines, the 2025 First Ridge Fiano and 2025 First Ridge Vermentino. Both wines are attracting a great deal of interest following their success on the show circuit, with each being awarded trophies.
Vintage 2025 in Mudgee experienced a relatively dry winter and early Spring required irrigation to support vine growth, with November rains improving canopy vigour and fruit balance. Summer was mostly stable with occasional hot days and periodic showers. Warm days and cool nights in autumn allowed an early, unpressured harvest, with Fiano and Vermentino developing intense varietal characters with fresh acidity.
A flagship white variety for the winery, the 2025 First Ridge Fiano impressed at the 25th Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show, where it was awarded the Trophy for Best White Italian Variety Wine. The class attracted well over 150 entries across the Fiano, Vermentino, Pecorino and other Italian variety categories. With the growing popularity of Fiano and its increasing number of entries, it has been suggested that it’s time as an “alternative variety” might be limited.
The First Ridge Fiano was harvested at optimum ripeness and pressed off skins, with 30 per cent of the grapes undergoing wild fermentation, building texture and layers of flavour. This component was then blended with the remaining portion, which was fermented in stainless steel, prior to bottling.
Joining the Fiano, is the 2025 First Ridge Vermentino, having been awarded the Trophy for Best Other Whites at the 2025 Australia & New Zealand Boutique Wine Awards as well as the Trophy for Best White Wine (Not Chardonnay, Semillon or Riesling) at the 2025 Mudgee Wine Show.
The Vermentino was harvested in the cool of the morning at 12.5° Baume, before being pressed off skins and fermented in stainless steel using an aromatic yeast to accentuate and capture the natural characteristics of the variety.
“We are very proud of these wines. They really highlight the synergies that occur when we see a favourable vintage for vines planted in the right place, nurtured and respected by an experienced and knowledgeable winemaker. The results can be exceptional,” says owner and vigneron John Nicholas.
2025 First Ridge Fiano (Mudgee, NSW)
- Trophy for Best White Italian Variety, 2025 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show
- Gold Medal, 2025 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show
2025 First Ridge Vermentino (Mudgee, NSW)
- Trophy for Best White Wine (not Chardonnay, Semillon, or Riesling), 2025 Mudgee Wine Show
- Trophy for Best Other White, 2025 Australian & New Zealand Boutique Wine Awards
- Gold Medal, 2025 Mudgee Wine Show
- Gold Medal, 2025 Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show