June 2021

Welcome to the CellarHand newsletter.

We hope this missive will drive away any hint of winter blues – and also the gloom of lockdown for those in Victoria.

One of the surprise trends of the pandemic has been a rush on Grüner Veltliner. (Makes more sense than loo paper, I suppose.) We’re delighed to report a bumper shipment from Austria, with Grüner and more from the likes of Bründlmayer, Domäne Wachau, Groiss, Stadt Krems and Stift Göttweig. The first 2020 wines from Austria point towards a cool, classic vintage with zippy, pure wines. Meanwhile we also have some 2019s single-vineyard Riesling and Grüner among these latest arrivals, and that harvest really was a joy to behold. Don’t miss it!

Filling out the import news is Arthur Ostertag of Alsace. His biodynamic 2019s in the Les Jardins range – Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris – are absolute diamonds.

On the home front, we have our first 2021 wines hitting the fridge: Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris fermented on skins from Airlie Bank. Also fresh out now are the new Nero d’Avola from Chalmers and – from Tassie’s Tamar Valley – a taut, elegant Pinot Noir from Joe and Lou Holyman.

Finally, if the exceptional write-ups on Frankland Estate‘s single-vineyard reds haven’t already persuaded you to take the plunge, you won’t resist once you’ve read the latest. Enjoy!

Sign Up to Receive Future Newsletters.

Including the latest wine industry news and an occasional exclusive offer or event invite.