Unico Zelo 'Esoterico' Orange Wine, Barmera-Polish Hill River, Riverland-Clare Valley, Australia 2023
Unico Zelo is the project of Brendan and Laura Carter, who've made it their mission to prove that Italian and Mediterranean grape varieties belong in Australia's warmest, driest corners. Working out of the Riverland and Clare Valley, they favor wild ferments, minimal intervention, and non-traditional vessels — concrete, amphora, old oak foudres — that preserve freshness over polish. Esoterico has become the domaine's most cult-followed release: an amber field blend built for pure drinkability, with no interest in fitting neatly into white, red, or rosé.
- Winemaker: Brendan and Laura Carter
- Farming: Sustainable, minimal-intervention practices (not certified organic)
- Variety: Zibibbo, Gewürztraminer, Moscato Giallo, and Greco (approximately 66/25/7/2)
- Terroir: Barmera, Riverland, and Polish Hill River, Clare Valley, Australia. 25–80-year-old vines at 50–520m elevation on ancient sandy limestone soils, in a moderate Mediterranean climate.
- Vinification: Each variety fermented separately on skins for roughly 2 weeks, without added yeast, in stainless steel; unfined and unfiltered, allowed to clarify by gravity alone.
- Aging: 12 months, split between stainless steel and old 3,000L oak foudres.
- Tasting Notes: Vibrant and unfiltered, with citrus peel, ginger, and mandarin oil aromatics; mouthwatering acidity and grippy, "say hello" tannins.
- Food Pairings: Spicy dishes, hard cheeses, or rich poultry.
Unico Zelo 'Esoterico' Orange Wine, Barmera-Polish Hill River, Riverland-Clare Valley, Australia 2023
Unico Zelo is the project of Brendan and Laura Carter, who've made it their mission to prove that Italian and Mediterranean grape varieties belong in Australia's warmest, driest corners. Working out of the Riverland and Clare Valley, they favor wild ferments, minimal intervention, and non-traditional vessels — concrete, amphora, old oak foudres — that preserve freshness over polish. Esoterico has become the domaine's most cult-followed release: an amber field blend built for pure drinkability, with no interest in fitting neatly into white, red, or rosé.
- Winemaker: Brendan and Laura Carter
- Farming: Sustainable, minimal-intervention practices (not certified organic)
- Variety: Zibibbo, Gewürztraminer, Moscato Giallo, and Greco (approximately 66/25/7/2)
- Terroir: Barmera, Riverland, and Polish Hill River, Clare Valley, Australia. 25–80-year-old vines at 50–520m elevation on ancient sandy limestone soils, in a moderate Mediterranean climate.
- Vinification: Each variety fermented separately on skins for roughly 2 weeks, without added yeast, in stainless steel; unfined and unfiltered, allowed to clarify by gravity alone.
- Aging: 12 months, split between stainless steel and old 3,000L oak foudres.
- Tasting Notes: Vibrant and unfiltered, with citrus peel, ginger, and mandarin oil aromatics; mouthwatering acidity and grippy, "say hello" tannins.
- Food Pairings: Spicy dishes, hard cheeses, or rich poultry.