The Slow Wine Co have been farming the cool climes of Orange for 87 years. The wines are made from grapes grown on the Johnson family vineyard, Bantry Grove.
The latest releases comprise the 2021 Slow Wine Co Riesling and 2022 Slow Wine Co Tribus.
This property has been in the family for three generations, since James Johnson purchased the property in 1936. The family ran sheep and cattle on the property until James’ son Terrey planted 12.2 hectares of vines in the mid 1990s. Today Slow Wine Co. is managed by siblings Jen and Richie, with Terrey retiring to the vineyard.
The vineyard, which sits at a lofty elevation of 960 metres, is home to cool climate varieties including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and Pinot Gris.
“We have been making wine and growing grapes for quite a few years,” says Jen Johnson. “While we have supplied grapes to many winemakers for over 30 years, we keep small parcels for ourselves and work with our winemaker Will Rikard-Bell to create wines that will age gracefully.”
The 2022 Slow Wine Co. Tribus is a blend of Pinot Gris (55%), Riesling (27%), and Gewürztraminer (18 %). The parcels were fermented separately, with the Pinot Gris and Riesling in stainless steel and the Gewürztraminer in French oak prior to blending. It was then lightly filtered and bottled.
“We are aiming for a wine that is bright and lively, while maintaining the regional fruit purity, natural acidity with subtle texture and complexity.”
The 2021 Slow Wine Co. Riesling was handpicked, whole bunch pressed and fermented in a combination of stainless steel (50%) and French oak (50%) with monthly lee stirring. “Riesling from Orange is gaining attention and, as the vines mature, and experience grows, the wines are finding their feet, expressing the region, with texture and interest and the ability to mature well over time.”
Pricing & distribution: The Slow Wine Co. wines are distributed nationally by Slow Wine Co, as well being available from slowwineco.com.au. The Slow Wine Co cellar door is in the village of Millthorpe.
2021 Slow Wine Co Riesling (Orange Region) $30
2022 Slow Wine Co Tribus (Orange Region) $25
For further information, interviews and images please contact:
David Cumming at Define Wine Marketing & Communications: 0414 736 342 or david@definewine.com.au
Jen Johnson at Slow Wine Co. at jen@slowwineco.com.au