Back in 2017 I was intrigued to see if my theory about certain varieties from warm-climate dry-grown vineyards are ideal for light-bodied red wines, even to be enjoyed with a bit of a chill on it! That ended up being one of my most successful wines, so in 2022 I made my fourth wine from Nero d’Avola grown by the Chalmers family at their Merbein vineyard. Fruit was hand-picked then transported in a refrigerated truck and delivered to the winery the next day. It was de-stemmed and sat on skins for only five days which accounted for the majority of fermentation. Once pressed it completed its fermentation in a stainless-steel tank, then was transferred to mature French oak puncheons (500L). After spending six months in barrel the wine was racked and blended, then bottled in November 2022.

Intense ruby red in colour, it immediately reveals aromas of ripe fruit followed by the spicy notes of coffee and pepper. It has firm tannins which are tempered by an unexpected freshness.

Indigenous Sicilian Nero d'avola grapes are harvested in the third week in September and fermented over 3 weeks. The wine is then aged for 12 months. It is dry with a nicely structured flavour and roundness. The flavours are reminiscent of alcohol preserved cherries highlighted by lovely lingering spices.

Bright, intense ruby red in colour, Tasca Regaleali Nero d'Avola is full flavoured with notes of sour cherry, mulberry, blueberry and vanilla. Herbaceous spice such as sage add further complexity leading into a beautifully balanced red wine.

A full-flavoured Sicilian Nero, framed by round and soft tannin.

Produced from Nero d'Avola and dried Nero d'Avola grapes grown on the best sites in western Sicily. The grapes are dried in two historical ways, depending on their origin. Some grapes are left to hang and dehydrate on the vine while others are hand harvested and left to dry on racks for 15 days. The wine is vinified in a very gentle way allowing the wine to display both intensity of flavour and early approachability. The lavish fruit flavours of damson, black cherries and black currants match very well with rich meat based sauces.

Considered the black beauty of wine, Nero dAvola displays bold aromas of respberry and blueberry, finishing with chalky tannins.

The Ethereal One celebrates wines with ethereal qualities - so delicious and graceful in style they seem not to be of this world. This blend from Fleurieu and Adelaide Hills with bright ruby red and violet hues is medium bodied, dominated by fruit aromas of cherries and red currants with savoury notes of baked quince and dried herbs.

It’s 100% grown in South Australia, but as winemaker Steve Grimley says, this lavish wine is Italy meets Portugal Down Under. It blends Italy’s famous Nero d’Avola (40%) and Sangiovese (10%), with Portugal’s Touriga (20%), adding in luscious Durif (20%) and inky Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). (Yes, Durif and Cabernet were originally French, but they’ve been here long enough to be considered true blue Aussies, so we’re not going to quibble.) “No fewer than 4 varieties join forces in this tiny-batch red. Where to start?” says Steve. “The approach I came up with was to focus on what it is like, not what goes into it.” Let’s just say that if you like you reds inkily rich and decadent, you will LOVE Nero! Don't miss your chance to try this opulent red