Ken Helm, 4th generation descendant of German vignerons who planted vines in Albury / Rutherglen in 1850s. Helm Wines of Murrumbateman, are pioneers of the Canberra District specialising in Riesling.
Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon have been with Helm Wines since their pioneering beginnings in 1973. The choice of Riesling seemed natural to Ken with the cool Canberra climate, his research at CSIRO, and his German background; the success of the grape over the past 35 years showed his early instinct was correct. In 2000, Ken instigated the Canberra International Riesling Challenge which is held annually at the Hyatt Hotel in Canberra.
The winery is located in a beautiful rural valley near Murrumbateman Village; about 30 minutes from Canberra.
The tasting room is an 1880 school house, where temperance meetings were once held and pledges signed by local residents to abstain from alcohol.
Ken’s contribution to the Canberra and Australian Wine Industries has been recognised with a Member of the Order of Australia, the NSW Government Graham Gregory medal and
numerous trophies, awards and reviews of Helm Rieslings and Cabernet sauvignons.