Ricca Terra
Challenging the status quo one alternate varietal at a time
The reinvention and revolution of a region
In 2022 Ashley and Holly Ratcliff purchased their first vineyard in Barmera, located in SA’s famous Riverland region and a region traditionally underrated in a wine sense.. The vision was to plant varieties that were best suited to Australia’s and the region's warm and dry climate. Ten individual vineyards now make up Ricca Terra, across 70 hectares of land. All of these sites occupy land where returned soldiers from the first and second world wars settled and farmed. One of these original soldier settlement vineyards still remains today. Ricca Terra has been rated by James Halliday as a five star winery in 2020 and again in 2021
Ashley Ratcliff
The master of alternative varieties.
Ashley has been in the wine game for almost 30 years now, having worked in some of Australia’s largest wineries. It’s his work as a viticulturist however that’s helped to set him and his wines apart.
Having a background as a viticulturist meant that Ashley not only had a passion for the industry but a deep connection to vineyards and their unique differences by region. Given the Riverland is in an inland dry region, the implementation of things like drought-tolerant rootstocks, water-saving mulches and the use of premium viticulture techniques has ensured the crafting of premium wines.
Ashley has received numerous awards and accolades in his career to date. The standouts include:
Delicious. Harvey Norman Produce Awards 2022 - Trophy for Outstanding Viticulturist, Gourmet Traveller - Viticulturist of the year 2015, Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology - Viticulturist of the year 2015, Riverland Winemaker of the Year, Young Gun of Wine - Innovative Vineyard of the Year 2020, Wine Business Monthly’s Top 50 stars and ABC Rural’s - Horticulturist of the year
“We’re challenging the norm in a region known for bulk production. And we are showing that the Riverland is a premium winegrowing region.”
—Ashley Ratcliff—
Australian Wine Made Our Way -Wine Australia
What does it mean?
The name Ricca Terra means “Rich Earth” in Italian This is an appropriate name for a winery that hand crafts wine by using Mediterranean varietals from areas such as Italy, Spain and Portugal.
Wine and life
Ricca Terra is certified with the Australian Wine Industry standard of Sustainable Program (Freshcare). This means that the business adheres to strict practices around sustainability, which runs throughout the entire operation. This practice also helps to ensure that wines in the range are also vegan-friendly.
“The only way we can learn about new varieties is to plant them and make wine. Some have been very successful and some have failed. But at the end of the day, to move forward, you have to make changes. We want to be seen as the people that are having fun and trying to make a change and creating an image for our region that’s a bit different.”
—Ashleigh Ratcliff —
Australian Wine Made Our Way -Wine Australia
A new chapter for the brand
On Saturday 22nd October a new chapter for the business was realised. A cellar door was launched in what is affectionately being referred to as “The Cherry Shed”. It’s a place where visitors can relax among the vines and soak up the unique region.
