The Vintner's Daughter

The Vintner’s Daughter is Stephanie Helm, daughter of Ken Helm, who made her first wine when she was 9 and won her first trophy when she was 14. On finishing school she enrolled in an arts/law degree at the Australian National University, thereafter pursuing a career outside the wine industry until 2011, when she began the wine science degree at CSU. Along the way, while she was at ANU, she met a young bloke from Lightning Ridge at a pub and introduced him to the world of wine. It wasn’t too long before he (Benjamin Osborne) was vineyard manager (with his background as a qualified horticulturist and landscaper) for Ken Helm. In late ’14 all the wheels came full circle when a vineyard, originally planted in 1978 with traminer, crouchen and riesling, extended to 3ha in ’99, came on the market. It was in an immaculate position between Clonakilla and Eden Road, and they purchased it in a flash and set about some urgently needed rejuvenation. Stephanie (and Ben) waltzed into the trophy arena at the Canberra International Riesling Challenge ’15, winning the trophy for Best Canberra District Riesling and, for good measure, winning the trophy for Best Riesling at the Winewise Small Vignerons Awards ’15. Gewurztraminer, pinot noir and shiraz are also part of the estate-based portfolio -JAMES HALLIDAY