Saperavi is a variety that is making it's mark at Ballandean and surprising wine lovers from around the world.

Originating from Georgia, this ancient variety loves the "terroir" of the Ballandean Estate Vineyards in the Granite Belt and the results are simply delicious. Winery owner and viticulturalist Angelo Puglisi is "extremely pleased" with the results that winemaker Dylan Rhymer is achieving with this rare variety and both are excited with the future prospects of this variety in the region. "It was a bit of a risk to plant something so rare" says Angelo, "but here at Ballandean, we love a challenge and the Saperavi has now become part of our "Strangebird" range of alternative wines that are so popular."

The Saperavi is a limited release and is generally sold through the Cellar Door at Ballandean and also exported to Singapore.

This is the second release of Casa Freschi's flagship Nebbiolo. The vineyard was planted in 1999 by David Freschi at 4000 vines per hectare on the cool maritime limestone plains near Lake Alexandrina. This site makes the vines struggle resulting in miniscule yields, is cool enough to preserve the delicate characters and acidity of the nebbiolo grape, and warm enough to ripen them with bountiful flavours and tannins. The wine is grown, made and bottled on the estate using organic principles and natural winemaking and bottled without fining or filtration.

"David Freschi has crafted a textbook nebbiolo with a pale garnet colour, exotic perfumes, delicate flavours and abundant yet mildly mannered tannins. His entry-level Ragazzi Nebbiolo is a snip at $28" Peter Bourne, Qantas Magazine May 2016

The Mayer Nebbiolo 2017 is made for rose lovers, being incredibly aromatic and light in colour. Beautiful nebbiolo aromas of crushed flowers, sweet red berries and spice. Compared to the 2016 vintage the wine fermented longer, which added intensity.

SAMU is an emerging boutique small batch producer of elegant handmade wines, with a focus on Italian grape varietals that excel in the warm South Australian climate. Their winemaking philosophy is to produce delicious fruity, elegant wines that reflect the true character of the varieties, with an uncompromised commitment to quality.

The 2016 SAMU Nero dAvola displays a soft cherry red in colour, with aromas of juicy plum, red cherry and hints of raspberry. Succulent red berry juiciness, backed up by soft tannins with a savoury finish.