The Dead Man Walking label is one of a great story between two great friends and their love for Riesling which was always going to be a custodianship story. We start with Tom Kies, a man that always lived in the now, which is ever more evident with the current wines  added to that “drink like there’s no tomorrow” feeling.

The Resultant wines (under John’s tutelage) were inspirational and delicious and surprisingly serious for a man who couldn’t have been further from. We want everyone to celebrate not only Tom’s life whilst drinking these wines but also the life they are living. 

Tom’s grand idea was to somewhat simplify the world of wine, which in case anyone has forgotten, is a beverage and not a bottled piece of art. The design of wine is to share and enjoy with those you love and be merry for the life we all have. You won’t necessarily remember every bottle you drink, but the memories made with those who’s company you keep is what lasts!

“We want to continue with Tom’s way of life and use these wines by means of celebration and celebrating Tom’s life that he had, not the life he didn’t have. Although cut short, Tom would have wanted everyone to continue drinking his legacy in the same way”!.

John Hughes

John, Belinda and Rieslingfreak are somewhat of a reference point for these wines and we are happy for John to remain a big part of this story as the custodian of this legacy brand, but by no means are these wines connected to Rieslingfreak per se, the wines are Tom’s legacy which we want to keep true to Tom and his character to be expressed forever in the wines.

Belinda does the winemaking now for Dead Man Walking with the brief in mind of being a stand alone brand and a stand alone style but with the same freshness on release without the ageability of the Rieslingfreak Rieslings.

As mentioned previously, proceeds from these sales go towards an Education Fund for Tom Kies’ two Children, and this is very important to John and Belinda as custodians of Dead Man Walking.