Spinifex Vermentino 2023

Spinifex Vermentino is a dry Barossa white from ironstone soil at Koonunga Hill.

Ironstone is the key: the one-acre block sits high at Koonunga Hill, in the extreme north of the Barossa, on hard, stony ground that slows ripening. Vermentino is hardy, and Pete Schell finds the variety holds acid here while still delivering generous texture. For 2023 the fruit had six hours on skins before a wild fermentation. The season was cool and long, which shows in the pithy, fresh shape of the wine. It is one of the more convincing Australian answers to the top Sardinian and Ligurian examples, and it comes from a vineyard barely large enough to register.

Waxy lemon, white blossom and a chalky edge, with zip through the middle and a grippy, saline close. Serve at 10 degrees. Good with oysters, fried whitebait or a spaghetti with garlic, chilli and parsley.

*Every effort is made to ensure the current vintage is accurate; however, variations can occur. If you are after a specific vintage, please contact us prior to ordering.