Amaya

100% Negroamaro

11% ABV

Fermented in stainless steel with wild vineyard yeast, the wine was bottled under a crown seal to finish ferment, resulting in the Petillant Naturel, lightly sparkling style. The Negroamaro for this wine was sourced from the Sherwood Estate in Loxton North, owned by the Proud family – third-generation grape growers who have successfully introduced Southern Italian varieties into their vineyards.

Dark pink in the glass with heady bubbles, the nose leads you into that dark fruit zone – blackberry, boysenberry, with a touch of savoury herb – aniseed, fennel seed. On the mouth though, it’s all broad, mouth-puckering acidity, fresh and piercing. Black cherry fruitiness really playing second fiddle to the bright crunch, the slightly bitter saltiness of marjoram/tarragon herb characters providing more length and interest. Just really yum and fun, but with layers of flavour that invite further thought.

SKU: 875644 | 12 to a case | 750ml, glass, crown-cap

Jaybird

40% Chardonay, 20% Vermentino, 20% Arinto, 20% Malvasia

12% ABV

The Bianco Macerato is an easy-drinking, approachable skin contact white wine. Each parcel was fermented separately – the Chardonnay was pressed off skins straight away, while the other parcels were fermented on skins until sugar dry, up to 14 days. Each parcel was allowed to go through malolactic fermentation and settle out before being blended just prior to bottling.

The combination of fruit-forward, acid-driven and aromatic varieties, combined with extended skin contact, creates a wine that is at once thought-provoking, and interesting, but also refreshing and delicious. The nose is aromatic as – canned lychee, and orange blossom – floral and super fresh. The upfront citrus hit of pink grapefruit and briney lemon makes way for the crunchy buzz of savoury, herbaceous tannin – not overpowering, but lingering. The characteristic acid from the Arinto ties it all together and provides length.

 SKU: 875648 | 12 to a case | 750ml, glass, screw-top

SCREAMING BETTY VERMENTINO 2022

100% Vermentino

12% ABV

Wild fermented in stainless steel, the wine also spent 4 weeks on fine lees, stirred twice weekly, giving it a beautiful, textural edge not often found in Australian Vermentino’s. The cooler vintage conditions meant that acids remained high, even as sugar levels increased and flavours developed, meaning we have a little higher ABV than previous years, but also more depth of flavour, whilst not compromising freshness and drinkability.

Bold and bright, a distinct passionfruit, tropical vibe presents up front, a new-ish feel for the Vermentino this year. Structural and herbaceous – lemon thyme grassiness holds fort on the palate with a subdued citrus, stonefruit push providing a counterpoint in the background. Classic Vermentino on the finish – briney, seaspray savouriness again turned up a little – lots of flavour, lovely acidity, really putting itself out there this year.

SKU:  833987 | 12 to a case | 750ml, glass, screw-top 

ROKO IL VAGABONDO MONTEPULCIANO 2022

100% Montepulciano

14% ABV

The Montepulciano was harvested from two different patches on the Bassham Family Organic vineyard, on separate days about a week apart. Each pick was fermented separately and blended together just prior to bottling. The earlier pick carried a lovely tart acidity and green energy, usually associated with whole bunch fermented wines, while the later pick gives palate weight and the deeper fruit character for drinkability – the final blend bringing both parcels together in a really awesome way.

The idea with this wine is to make an uncomplicated red wine that provides flavour and energy. The thick skins provides a lovely, dark purple colour, and while the nose gives a feeling of power and intensity, the palate opens with a lovely, puckering fruit character, like a basket of freshly picked, mixed berries. The finish brings that tannin and those grippy, savoury elements back into play, while the acid keeps the freshness and length going. Pasta, pizza, BBQ, Salt and Vinegar Pringles – whatever, it’s a wine for all seasons.

SKU: 833989 | 12 to a case | 750ml, glass, screw-top 

WEEPING JUAN PINK PET NAT 2022

90% Vermentino and 10% Nero d’Avola

12% ABV

90% Vermentino and 10% Nero d’Avola, each variety was picked and fermented separately, and the final wine was blended and bottled just prior to the Nero d’Avola finishing ferment to create the Petillant Naturel style sparkling.

The party is back! Hazy pink in the glass, lush, sweet aromatic spices jump out up front – vanilla, cinnamon, coconut – mum’s fruit toast is where I always go with this wine and it’s here again. On the palate is underripe strawberry, with a fuji apple, watermelon rind cleanness and crunch. Just a mild spritz this year and a touch of fruit sweetness is balance by the lovely crunchy acidity – the two working together to provide a length that goes on and on. Hot day, ice cold, by a body of water – you can drink nothing better.

SKU: 833994 | 12 to a case | 750 ml, glass, crown-cap  

TUFF NUTT BIANCo D’ALESSANO PET NAt 2022

100% Bianco d’Alessano
9.5 % ABV
Bianco d’Alessano is an uncommon variety from Puglia in Southern Italy, with the Loxton vineyard the only planting in Australia.
Fermented in stainless steel with wild vineyard yeast, the wine was bottled under crown seal to finish ferment, resulting in the Petillant Naturel, lightly sparkling style.

Clean, lean and refreshing as hell – the Bianco Pet Nat this year firmly sits in the thirst quenching zone. Ripe tropical fruits burst from the glass on the nose, while the palate leans into the citrus spectrum – preserved lemon, briney saltiness, but again with a lemon curd creaminess that satisfy just so. Acid for days, and at 9.5% ABV, this wine performs a true disappearing act from the bottle.

SKU | 833993 | 12 to a case | 750 ml, glass, crown-cap

PRETTY BOY 2022

100% Nero d’Avola
12% ABV

Wild fermented in stainless steel, Nero d’Avola is a native Sicilian variety that is perfect suited to the hot, dry climate of the Riverland. The cooler vintage conditions meant that acids remained high, even as sugar levels increased and flavours developed, meaning we have a little higher ABV than previous years, but also more depth of flavour, whilst not compromising freshness and drinkability.

After crushing, the fruit was left to soak on skins for 6 hours, giving the wine it’s lovely blush pink colour – maybe a little lighter than the previous few years. The nose charges at you with candied strawberries, rose petals, and that ubiquitous but undeniable strawberries and cream aroma that just keeps going and going. On the palate, a certain elegance – these fruit-forward flavours persist, while the classic Nero d’Avola acidity comes in to keep things fresh and crunchy; evolving the flavours into a slightly underripe stonefruit spectrum – white peach or nectarine. The most in balance and engaging Rosato we’ve made for a few years, and everything we want to see from this wine.

SKU | 833995 | 12 to a case | 750ml, glass, screw-top

ROXANNE THE RAZOr 2022

90% Negroamaro, 10% Nero d’Avola
12% ABV
Negroamaro and Nero d’Avola are the two varieties that are perfectly suited to the hot, dry Riverland and the nature of the wines we want to make. The cooler vintage conditions meant that acids remained high and flavours developed intensity and nuance.

Wild fermented in stainless steel, The Negroamaro and Nero d’Avola were picked and fermented separately and blended prior to bottling.

This wine is our attempt at essentially trying to emulate a light, cool climate red, with Negroamaro and Nero d’Avola being the perfect varieties for the task. The nose this year has a certain intensity – perfumed olive tapenade richness and savouriness belies the lightness on the palate. Fruit forward up front – maraschino cherry, spiced plum, and quince – makes way for the second half of lovely earthy, amaro-esque savouriness; cola berry/chinotto characters with a burnt orange undertone. These bitter, herbaceous moments work in tandem with the elevated, juicy fruit, held together by a touch of fuzzy tannin and grippy mouthfeel, to make a very, very drinkable, medium-bodied red.

SKU | 833992 | 12 to a case | 750ml, glass, screw-top