2018 Between 5 Bells White Blend

Region: Drumborg  < Australia 

Grapes: 59% Pinot Gris, 37% Fiano, 4% Viognier

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming; Pinot Gris is split into two lots which are fermented separately - 1st is destemmed, gently pressed and fermented in foudre, 2nd is fermented on skins for 10-12 days. While the wine is naturally fermenting in the foudre, Fiano (37%) and a small amount of Viognier (4%) juice is introduced at different stages; bottled unfined/unfiltered with minimal added S02; 13.5% ABV

Winemaker: David Fesq & Ray Nadeson 

Between Five Bells is a collective of 3 Aussie winemakers who each have their own projects and/or day jobs.  Because it’s tough to feed your family making natty wine. They do it because they are passionate about about making wines THEY want to drink (clean, low ABV), that are both good for the planet and human bodies.  As they say, “the blends are unconventional, the winemaking is experimental, the juice at the end is simply delicious.” The three partners are Ray (the proprietor, viticulturist and winemaker for Lethbridge Wines), David (Ray’s cousin who works in the family’s 6th gen wine-distribution firm), and Josh, a fancy sommelier in Sydney.  Fun fact: in 2008, when they we’re just starting out, they made a bunch of Shiraz in a wheelie-bin (what they call a trash can in Oz) in Josh’s garage.  

We’ll forgive them for the trash can Shiraz, because they’ve clearly upped their game with this puckery, textural skin-contact white blend of four aromatic varietals.  It's aromatic, peaches and lemon rind on the nose, but on the palate you get earthy stone fruit, pear, citrus and almond riding on a generous, layered palate.  Super fun winter white from the land of Oz.

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