Description
'Alternative' grape varieties are causing an evolution in Australian wine, and changing the way winemakers and consumers think about our industry's future.
These emerging varieties are often better suited to sustainably grow in our warm climate, and provide a myriad of delicious new flavours, textures and food-friendly styles.
This pack allows you to discover some exciting new grapes for yourself, and sample some of the finest alternative grape variety wines in the country!
- 2023 Ravensworth Albarino
- 2023 Unico Zelo Jade & Jasper Fiano
- 2024 Sentio Aligote
- 2023 Koerner Adelaide Hills Savagnin
- 2024 Mercer Wines Bianco Vermentino
- 2024 Dormilona Chenin Blanc
2023 Ravensworth Albarino
The 2023 Ravensworth Albariño is likely a one-off, as the Tumbarumba vineyard where Bryan Martin sourced this fruit was regrettably uprooted after harvest. But what a swan song it is—this Albariño captures the essence of one of Spain and Portugal’s most cherished white varieties with a cool, textural Australian twist.
True to Albariño’s character, this wine is all about aromatic intensity and mouth-watering acidity. It offers a bit more body and colour than your typical Riesling, with a beautiful texture and a crisp, mineral edge. Crafted in concrete Nico Velo tulips, it has a purity and slight salinity that make it irresistibly food-friendly.
Pair it with fresh seafood—think grilled prawns or even sashimi—and savour this limited release, with only 48 dozen made. While it’s deliciously drinkable now, you could also cellar it for 8 years or more, letting those lively flavours evolve and deepen over time.
2023 Unico Zelo Jade & Jasper Fiano
"One of those white wines that can suit almost any situation calling for a good glass - it's destined for the lunch table."
- Brendan & Laura Carter
The Unico Zelo owner/winemaking dynamic duo of Brendan and Laura Carter are hugely passionate about Fiano, and they wholeheartedly believe in this variety's suitability to Australia's climate and culture.
So do we, it's a winner.
This comes from the ancient sandy limestone soils on the iconic Ricca Terra Farms vineyard in the Riverland region of South Australia. Like in previous years it's a wonderfully textural wine, with the detail and balancew improving each and every year.
All up it's delicious to drink, perfectly built for enjoying with food and great value for money.
2024 Sentio Aligote
There are only pockets of Aligote around Australia, and King Valley is producing some of the very best examples.
Produced by the talented Chris Catlow at Sentio, this Aligoté comes from the Darling Estate Vineyard in Upper King Valley. Aligoté, traditionally from Burgundy, France, has found a new home here, and Chris's passion for Burgundian-style wines shines through. With experience with Burgundy's Benjamin Leroux, Chris learnt first-hand how to get the best out of these Burgundian varieties.
Chris has conjured a lovely, complex dry white that is slippery, waxy, bright and racy. It sees some oak, as the grape does in its Burgundian homeland, but this cedary, nutty character really enhances the orchard fruit dense core.
Awesome off-piste but classically drinking white.
2023 Koerner Adelaide Hills Savagnin
Koerner’s 2023 Adelaide Hills Savagnin is for the adventurous drinker who loves a wine that’s both seaside-crisp and deeply intriguing.
Damon leans into the variety’s natural acidity, picking early to keep things zesty, with notes of white peach, apricot, and a briny, coastal edge that feels like a refreshing ocean breeze.
Hand-harvested and whole bunch pressed, this Savagnin gets the Koerner treatment with a mix of barrique and stainless steel ageing, retaining purity while letting the stone-fruit aromas come alive.
It's Savagnin at its raw, natural best—an honest expression of Adelaide Hills terroir bottled at a zesty 13.1% alcohol. Pair it with oysters, seafood, or light vegetarian dishes and let its clean, mineral finish take centre stage.
96 points & Top 100 Australian Wines of 2024
"The premier release of this wine. The nose is mineral-driven, with notes of grapefruit, orange blossoms, chalk, lemon peel and flint. The palate is textural, cut through with a laser-like acidity, showing notes of mandarins, lime curd and oyster shells. Wonderfully balanced with such high tension, energy and purity. Excellent. Drink or hold."
- James Suckling
2024 Mercer Wines Bianco Vermentino
Aaron Mercer’s 2024 Bianco Vermentino is an easy-drinking nod to the future of sustainable grape-growing. Vermentino thrives in warm, dry climates like the Hunter Valley, and this wine makes the most of its natural resilience. With fruit sourced from the Roxburgh Vineyard in the Upper Hunter, it’s all about simplicity done well.
Bright and zippy, it’s bursting with tangy citrus and a subtle saline edge that keeps things lively. There’s a touch of texture and plenty of refreshing crunch, making it a great companion for sunny afternoons and laid-back meals.
Perfect with fresh seafood or just a handful of salty snacks, this is the kind of white that’s made for the esky and your next casual get-together. At this price, it’s as easy on the wallet as it is on the palate.
95 points
"An outstanding Hunter vermentino that successfully traverses the elements of texture and vibrancy. The palate is fabulously expansive, with clean citrus flavours and delicate notes of acacia. Lighter in body with excellent flavour length and charm."
- Toni Paterson MW (Halliday Wine Companion)
2024 Dormilona Chenin Blanc
This is an organically farmed Chenin Blanc from a small vineyard in Willyabrup, Margaret River.
Jo Perry, the winemaker and her viticulturist partner Jim have got their priorities right, focusing first and foremost on sourcing high quality fruit, before worrying about what to do with it in the winery.
The fruit is handpicked and whole bunch pressed straight into different vessels (including amphora & French oak) for wild ferment, where it sits on its lees before being bottled with no fining or filtration.
It's a lovely, unique expression of this loveable variety, and if you like your whites with a bit of texture and oomph, then this will be right up your alley.
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For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.
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