15 Minute Bottles Testpots Riesling 2022

A delicious reminder not to pigeon-hole Riesling, this is rich in flavour and texture, with a dry, pithy, saline finish. It’s got the substance to hold up to the bold flavours of Malaysian, Indian and Moroccan food, but we’d very happily slurp on it without food. The fruit comes from a gravelly, organic vineyard by the river in Waipara. 60% is direct pressed, and the remainder is whole bunch fermented before aging in neutral oak.

15 Minute Bottles is a collaboration between two families, David Collins and Lana Kennett, and Tom Lascelles and Anne Kirsch. The project came about in Europe, when their paths crossed while Tom was working for Austrian natural wine superstar, Claus Preisinger. With both couples coming back to New Zealand in 2021, they saw an opportunity to produce here the style of energetic, approachable natural wines they’d loved in Europe. With one family based in Canterbury, and the other in Central Otago, their intention is to produce multi-regional wines that are unfined, unfiltered with minimal added sulphites. David best explains the reason behind their name, 15 Minute Bottles - 

“It’s rooted in the fun, energetic, thought provoking wine we fell for while in Europe. When we drank a banger, we would call it a '15 minute bottle' because it didn't hang around for long (enjoyed responsibly with a large group of friends of course)”.

I Clivi Ottantanni Malvasia 2021

This Malvasia is a dry aromatic white wine with a delicate texture which lends itself to long weekend lunches. The wine opens up with light chamomile aromas on the nose, then citrus and orchard fruits follow on the palate. Wine people often harp on about  balanced wines, this Malvasia epitomises what they are often looking for. 

In the far north east of Italy near the borders of Slovenia and Austria, Ferdinando Zanussa and his son Mario organically farm 12 hectares of vines. The vineyards are situated on the steep slopes in the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and have an average vine age of 60 to 80 years old. Ribolla, Friulano, Verduzzo, and Malvasia are the predominant grape varieties produced by the I Clivi Team. 

Kenzie Smokestack Lightning Gewurztraminer 2022

The pretty, floral, lifted aromatics of Gewürztraminer, balanced with a firm, textural, super dry palate. This is ying and yang in a glass. Dave from Kenzie isn’t new to making skin contact styles and it’s clear to see. Fruit comes for the organic Osawa vineyard in Mangatahi, Hawkes Bay. It’s fermented on skins that are hand rolled through the juice for 20 days, before being sealed up for a further 50 days. It undergoes full malolactic fermentation.

After 15 successful years of winemaking in Australia, Dave MacIntosh is back in New Zealand reconnecting with the place he grew up, Hawkes Bay / Te Matau a Māui. Fruit for his first releases is sourced from 6 organic/sustainable vineyards from across the region. We love Dave’s willingness to challenge convention in terms of wine style, and his deft winemaking touch in delivering wines of vibrancy, energy and freshness.

Lammidia Flamingo Field Blend 2020

Made from over 10 different grapes, Flamingo comes with as much excitement as the pool party it should be consumed at. All the grapes are from organic and biodynamically farmed vineyards. To taste this has abundance of energy, instilled by partial carbonic maceration. Bright red fruits like pomegranate, black cherry and strawberries jump out of the glass. It’s strawberry red glow comes from a short 3 day skin contact. This Flamingo really struts when it's been slightly chilled. 

Based in the small town of Villa Celiera in the Province of Pescara, Lammidia vineyards are just a stone’s throw from the Adriatic Sea. Over 700 metres above sea level and surrounded by mountains and beautiful wine-growing land. It’s no wonder childhood friends Davide Giuliani and Marco Dear run their vineyard with such commitment to the natural environment. They have nearly made over 60 different wines showcasing a great diversity throughout their range. It’s part of their philosophy and mission, to be constantly testing new ways in cultivation, fermentation and storage. The one constant though is that the winemaking for Lammidia is 100% natural. Spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts, no clarification - fining or filtering - no added sulfites. Their slogan - Uva e Basta.

Deep Down Pinot Noir 2021

What’s not to love? Vibrant, crunchy Marlborough Pinot from organic vineyards, naturally fermented and bottled without any additives. This is immediately pleasurable, but in no way simple. 

We’ve fallen deep for these wines. The partnership of Clive Dougall and Peter Lorimer is the culmination of years of passion and experience. We first crossed paths with Peter in the late 2000’s in London, and followed his career representing great New Zealand producers around the globe. Meanwhile, Clive was winemaker at Seresin for 12 years, leading Marlborough’s way in organic and biodynamic production. The outcome of their partnership? Stylish, organic expressions of great Marlborough vineyards that leave you reaching for another glass.

Domaine Fond Croze Confidence Côtes du Rhône 2020

Flavourful with a lively palate, there’s a confidence about this wine for sure. Black fruits, spice, silky tannin and freshness, it also represents outstanding value. Grenache and Syrah are vinified in concrete vats. Fruit comes from estate vineyards in Saint-Roman-De-Malegarde, north east of Avignon tucked up behind the wine villages of Cairanne and Rasteau. 

Four generations of the Long family have been grape growing in the north east of Vaucluse in the southern Rhone. In 1997 they decided to stop selling their grapes to cooperatives, and established Domaine Fond Croze. They began converting their 80 hectares of vines to organic viticulture in 2009, and have now attained full organic certification.