Red Wines

Springtime BBQs! That’s all we need to say

Little bit of chill, like the perfect occasion for the wine

Laura and Brendan Carter have an intense commitment to sustainability - a unique zeal some might say (= unico zelo in Italian - read on to find out why). They planted 35 different varietals to see which could grow without irrigation in the harsh Australian climate and ended with a handful of native Italian grapes they now craft into wonderfully smashable wines aimed at the next generation of wine drinkers.

It’s quite unusual that people outside of Barolo get to try freshly fermented Nebbiolo - usually we get the big, serious stuff that needs yeeaaars before we can drink them. It’s pure joy to drink this zippy little baby!

Place:  Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills, Australia
Grape:  Nebbiolo, Barbera
Style: Fruity & fun

Bulgogi, herb-crusted lamb, aged Comté

Cellar temp does quite nicely (around 16 – 18C)

A self-proclaimed “licker & sniffer” as a kid, Riley Harrison has always been fascinated with flavours and smells. While he loves the hard work of harvest, he wasn’t so keen on pushing that hard year-round, so being a chef was out. Making wine seemed like a much better idea. He also didn’t love the structure and bounds of corporate winemaking, so he started making super-small batches of wine under his own brand in 2015, growing slowly with the safety net of a paycheck from a day job until things reached critical mass in 2022. Taking the project from a hobby to a grown-up wine business meant he needed to focus his energies solely on “not f*cking this dream up,” – and we sure think he’s done a great f*cking job!

Riley is passionate about sustainable winemaking. He believes that over-planting in unsuitable regions strains the environment and depletes precious resources. By carefully sourcing grapes from Barossa, McLaren Vale, and Adelaide Hills, he ensures each variety thrives in its ideal conditions. His vision? Fewer vines, smarter planting, and a brighter, greener future for Australian wine.

There is an extremely high concentration of Eucalyptus trees in Blewitt Springs. Some science-y folks have found trace amounts of Eucalyptol (the compound released by the trees) in the soils & on the vines in the area. So you really are tasting Eucalyptus here!

Place: Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, Australia
Grapes: Cabernet Franc
Style: Opinionated!
Ingredients: Grapes & minimal sulphites

Aged Gouda, lamb tagine, peanut butter pie

Pop it in the fridge for about 20 minutes before serving, just to take the edge off

The project was started in 2013 by husband-and-wife team, Andre Bondar and Selina Kelly, making just 2 wines. In 2014, they bought the historic Rayner Vineyard in McLaren Vale. Andre, with his rich winemaking background, focuses on crafting mid-weight wines that are fragrant, bright, and wonderfully complex. His experience, including a stint in the beautiful Northern Rhône, has really shaped his approach to terroir-driven winemaking. Meanwhile, Selina jumped from a career in law to bring her marketing expertise to the wine world, adding a fun touch to their brand. Together, they create wines that radiate confidence and have an almost magical quality.

They pay attention to every little detail in their farming! By keeping an eye on soil health, switching to organic practices, and even planting cover crops that help keep pests away, they’re doing everything they can to nurture the land. It’s all about creating a healthy environment for their vines to thrive!

The first wine Andre & Selina made under their own brand, Bondar, was a Shiraz from a gorgeous old block dating back to 1947. They enlisted the help of friends & family to help with the harvest. Bless them all, while very willing, they weren’t especially efficient, so picking carried on until sunset – the Violet Hour.

Place: Blewitt Springs, McLaren Vale, Australia
Grapes: Shiraz
Style: Boldly beautiful
Ingredients: Grapes & minimal sulphites