2017 Blind Corner Blanc

Region Margaret River < Australia

Grapes: Semillon, Sauv Blanc, Chenin Blanc

Vineyard/Cellar Stats:  Certified biodynamic farming; white clay/limestone/flint soils; fermented and aged in stainless; minimal added So2 at bottling only; 11.9% ABV

Winemakers: Ben + Naomi Gould

Ben and Naomi are pretty much the poster children of New Australia Wine.  The first of Western Australia’s Margaret River region (Aussie’s Napa Valley) to combine biodynamic farming with minimal intervention in the cellar, the couple relies on extreme biodiversity (olive groves, veggie patches, 15 bee hives, and hundreds of chickens who roost happily in a rainbow painted caravan scattered between and around the rows of vines) instead of chemical farming -- they wanted their estate to be safe for their young children to roam free and play.  They even started a biodiesel plant on the property to convert spent vegetable oil into fuel for their winery equipment (although there isn’t much, as they don’t pump, filter, or otherwise manipulate their wines). 

This is their take on the classic Semillon/SB blend, which has the crisp/dry/spicy thing you expect from these grapes in this soil, but also a funkier side that you don’t.  Like a little Kimchi juice was mixed it for pizazz.  Fresh and easy like a summer breeze, but quirky enough to keep you from getting bored.  And inexpensive enough (for certified BioD!) to crush every day.