AUSTRALIA: Wine Hippies in the Basket Range

 

 

A long time ago in a wine region far, far away, wine was made by simply fermenting grapes. Many people probably think this is still how it’s done today, but unfortunately in most cases, no. Today winemakers have a cocktail of additives at their disposal to create a comfortable recipe that in my opinion completely dissolves the concept of terroir. There are people out there who still believe in the timeless art of winemaking, which is now fashionably known as “Natural Wine”, and in Australia there is a place nestled in the hills where you will find them.

Basket Range is a small, tight knit community within the Adelaide Hills in South Australia. Late last year when Jean and I attended Rootstock Wine Show in Sydney we had to chance to chat with some of the small batch winemakers from Basket Range and taste their wines. It was love at first sip, and we decided we would visit Basket Range on our Australia Adventure.

 

As we drove from the coastal city of Adelaide east into the hills the landscape transformed into dense pine forest, small windy dirt roads, and fields of stone fruit and grapes. Our first stop was Gentle Folk, a small winery run by Gareth and Rainbo Belton, a talented couple who bring it back to basics. Within 5 minutes we were tasting barrel samples and chatting with Gareth about his winemaking philosophy, and an hour later we were sitting down for lunch at his kitchen table with 10 bottles of open wine and a big bowl of fresh pasta. We were in our element. During lunch Gareth mentioned they still had tons of work to do in the vineyard before vintage, so I asked if we could stick around his place for a couple days and help out. He immediately said yes and offered to tour us around the local area and introduce us to his friends, who also happen to be rock star natural winemakers, and get in on some tastings.

In just 4 days Jean and I felt like we were now a part of the community. We would start the day in the vineyard helping clean up the canopy, and restoring the shape of the vines then move our way into a leisurely lunch back at the house with the record player on and wine on the table. Generally the afternoon was pretty relaxed because of the intense South Australia sun, so we mostly went around and met the brains behind wine labels such as: Commune of Buttons, Lucy Margaux, Ochota Barrels, Jauma, and Manon. These winemakers are extremely talented each in their own way and we were so surprised to see that all of the great wines are actually made in sheds. We basically had a personal tour of the mysterious “Wine Sheds of Adelaide Hills”. I should also mention we were able to meet the pioneers of biodynamic winemaking in New Zealand, James and Annie Milton from Milton Vineyard. It was serious 4 days of biodynamic wine nirvana, and we are so grateful for the experience.

Here is a list of our favourites from the Basket Range in Adelaide Hills, I hope you can all someday appreciate and enjoy at least a couple of these bottles…even though they are quite difficult to find.

2015 Gentle Folk Scary Gully Pinot Noir

This is a juicy little gem. One of my favourites right away, it is so exemplar of terroir. Coming from a single vineyard plot nestled on the hills, through the glass it will have hints of toasted oak one sip, and sour cherries the next. A natural wine for any and every Pinot lover. As expected it is already sold out.

 

 

2015 Lucy Margaux Noir de Florette

 

After sitting down at the kitchen table to help cut and glue wine labels we realized this was unlike any other tasting experience we've had. You could say Anton Von Klopper, the man behind the label, is a tab bit crazy... but his wines are pretty unique and approached in his signature style of 'winemaking alfresco'. This light bodied Pinot Noir was fun and unpretentious... lots of sour red berry fruit on the palate and lots of fun to drink!!!

 

 

2015 Manon, Love Lies Bleedings, Pinot Noir

 

This is a beautifully crafted wine. It holds the true finesse of a medium bodied Pinot, and makes you want more after every sip. Tim Weber and Monique Milton are the couple behind the label and they are doing some really rad things in the Adelaide Hills like growing and establishing Biodynamic fruit /veggie gardens and foraging for wild fruit. Tim mentioned they intend to make wine from grapes which they forage from abandoned vineyards..I one day hope to try!

 2015 Commune of Buttons Chardonnay

So the wine I am referring to isn't in the picture (instead it is two different Pinot's)...but when we visited Jasper, the winemaker and grower, he gave us a sip of the new 15' Chardonnay and it was a cracker. It was bright with acidity, but had a creamy texture and tasted like homemade peach cobbler. I wanted more more and more.

 

 

Cheers Friends!