USA All The Way Pack

You're forgiven for jumping to some conclusions about California Chardonnay but we're here to tell you to give peace a chance. This wine is sourced from several vineyards along the California central coast, all at least 30 years old and all benefitting from the moderating influence of ocean breezes.

Fermented in stainless steel and matured in neutral oak, this captures a lot of freshness. Fresh and ripe stone fruits carve a clear path through this, with a soft creaminess and savoury almonds. There's a bit of tropical fruit too, giving this some serious sunset vibes. Get some Baja cuisine into you and go for seafood.

Throwing away a career in finance, Aussie James Becker found his new calling after some life changing events saw him end up in California making wine.

Now established back home in the Hunter, James and his wife Meagan venture back to California on a yearly basis to make this wine.

From the Manchester Ridge vineyard on the Mendocino Ridge in Northern California. There is a cool maritime breeze which blows in from the Pacific Ocean allowing for a long hang time, and providing the grapes ample time to reach optimal ripeness.

"Give it time to soften, but already so pretty." - JamesSuckling.com

This is a brilliant high-toned wine, an elegant Pinot that perfectly represents those vineyards that line the Bohan-Dillon Road of the Sonoma Coast. Easy-drinking, showing a lithe body with solid structure on the palate. Lots of red cherry, black currant, and damp earth forest floor kind of vibe.

This is a real youthful style of wine, yet at the same time it has the bones to age and evolve quite gracefully. The care and attention it receives in the winery is the same as their top cuvees and knowing how much love they put it to their wines, that says a lot.

Comprised of fruit from four different organically farmed vineyards across the Sonoma Coast (Que Syrah Vineyard, Solas Vineyard, Clary Ranch, Baker Lane Vineyard), this Syrah is made to be drunk fresh and in its youth.

Syrah is well suited for life on the Sonoma Coast as the loose clusters and thick skins manage the cool and often damp growing conditions well. The long slow growing season near the edge of the continent provides complete ripeness at low sugar levels, resulting in a wine of deep colour that has generous fruit character with an undercurrent of earth and spice.

Each vineyard bestows its own unique character to this wine, creating a complex Syrah full of life and approachability upon release.

The growth of Orin Swift can be traced back to Zinfandel. From the first wines made under this label in 2007, this is the variety that has been the raison d’etre of this brand and owner/winemaker, Dave Phinney.

An evolution on the nose first with pepper, then a ripe fruit core of brambly berries and sweet fruit spice, finishing with more savoury spices. Voluptuous yet elegant in the mouth, the wine shows its layers of plushness with berry jam and pie. Round, ripe tannins close the palate mouth-coating in harmony with well-integrated acidity.

There is an energy to this wine, telling the story of the Orin Swift evolution throughout the years.