2025 ‘ZBO’ Zibibbo-Amphora

Zibibbo is an ancient, aromatic white grape from the Muscat family grown in the warmth of the Mediterranean and South Australia. From fruit grown at Bassham Vineyard in the Riverland, chosen for its potential to develop length and complexity from longer skin contact. the wine is reminiscent of something from Alice in Wonderland, where things aren’t always as they seem. Quasi golf ball sized, bronze fruit parlayed into waiting terracotta amphorae. A wild ferment kicks off with the caps being hand plunged twice daily until the ferment finishes and the skins sink into the wine. The skins, seeds and juice remain covered in situ for six months. A FLOR, or layer of yeast, volunteers itself and covers and helps protect the wine. The ‘free run’ was siphoned off in spring and combined with the pressings. The wine settles before being racked and sent to bottle unfiltered and unfined. ‘A tad diaphanous in appearance, as expected for the long elevage on skins. The wine is dry yet exudes tantalising herbal, spice and stone fruit aromas. Complex nose of apricot, graphite/pencil shavings, cut ginger, lemon myrtle, elderflower, white pepper, IPA hoppy notes, and wild honey leap from the glass. On the palate, the wine has a soft entry but with good grip, an earthy sweet chalk/clay element with notes of pink grapefruit, white pepper, lemon oil, mandarin tea and cinnamon apples.’ – Brad Hickey, Winemaker.