Tim Knappstein became a third generation vigneron when he commenced his career in the family company, Stanley Wines, making his first wine in 1966, after graduating from the Roseworthy College Oenology course. In 1969, Tim ventured out on his own and founded the Enterprise and Tim Knappstein Wines labels in the Clare Valley. An unrequited desire to produce premium cool climate varieties, in particular Pinot Noir, then led Tim to plant the first vineyard in the Lenswood district of the Adelaide Hills in 1981. By 1994, he had finalized his business with the Clare Valley winery bearing his name, and focused full time in his Adelaide Hills Lenswood Vineyards.

Tim is renowned for his no compromise approach to winemaking, production style and quality standouts in a very competitive industry. Always an innovator, in 1978 he introduced ‘Fume Blanc’ to the Australian market and, in 1980, botrytised Riesling made under controlled atmosphere. Tim’s driving passion is to create the finest wines possible from premium Adelaide Hills vineyards. A true family enterprise from its inception, his new label Riposte is wholly owned and run by Tim with his wife Dale and son Nick. Continuing the family tradition, Nick will be the fourth generation winemaker bearing the Knappstein name.

The Riposte label is a small portfolio of complex and striking cool climate wines from the Adelaide Hills. Riposte is a fencing term meaning a quick reply or counter-thrust and is Tim’s personal reply to the increasingly corporatized world of wine making.