Description
Foreign Friends is a Beechworth-based project from sisters Leila and Crystal and their friend Juliette. They’ve been part of the local wine scene for a decade, eventually launching this label in 2023 to focus on honest, varietally expressive wines. While they are based in Beechworth, they look to standout sites across the High Country for their fruit, sourcing the grapes for this 'Hilma' Barbera from the King Valley.
The fruit here was fully destemmed and spent two weeks on skins before being tucked away in large, old French oak for the winter and spring. This approach has kept the fruit front and centre while rounding out the edges, giving it the soft, velvety texture that gives good Barbera its charm.
It’s a medium-bodied, juicy red that carries a bit of weight and concentration without feeling heavy.
On the nose, you get blueberry and bramble fruit mixed with clove and even a hint of dark chocolate. The palate is medium-bodied and juicy, and more savoury as it opens up. It finishes with fine tannins and a plesant sourness that has you going back for another glass!
It’s drinking well now but has the structure to sit in the cellar for a few years if you can wait.
95 points
"Seduces in a deep world of red cherries, ripe redcurrant, blackberry, dried herbs, florals, chocolate and spice with a red earthiness."
- Jeni Port (Halliday Wine Companion)
| Price Bracket | $31 to $40 |
| Type | Red |
| Body | Medium Bodied |
| Variety | Barbera |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | King Valley |
| Australian State | VIC |
| Reviewed By |
Halliday Wine Companion |
| Critic Score |
95 |
| Alcohol | 14% |
| Size | 750ml |
| Vintage | 2025 |
| Closure | DIAM Cork |
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Common Questions
Delivery is free on orders of $199 or more.
For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.
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We stock three different sized gift boxes (single, three bottle and six), all are available for purchase for a flat rate of $8. They look great and make an awesome impression.
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No, all prices are set at the full discounted dozen rate already.
Most wine retailers list at a single-bottle price and then discount 10–15% when you buy six or twelve. We've taken the opposite approach. Since the overwhelming majority of our orders are already 6 bottles or more, our list price is set for the case buyer from the start. There's no inflated single-bottle price to discount down from.
What that means for you:
- One price, same for everyone — no minimum to hit to unlock the best rate
- No mixed-six gymnastics to qualify for a discount
- Our single-bottle price is typically at or below a traditional retailer's by-the-dozen rate
Put simply: the box discount is already baked into the price.
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