Our wine.

Following one of the earliest and quickest harvests in 2024, the 2025 vintage unfolded in a more classical fashion. A wet, cool to moderate winter and spring provided a solid foundation for vineyards that had been depleted by the previous hot season. The summer brought a moderate and gradual warm-up, delivering the extended hang time necessary for varietals like Fiano to develop exceptional flavours and phenolic complexity.

The Fiano fruit was sourced from the Geographe wine region, specifically a small vineyard in Ferguson Valley known as St Aidans Estate, established in 1991. Although the Fiano vines are only five years old, vignerons Phil and Mary Smith recognised Fiano’s suitability for the evolving climate, offering a compelling alternative to Chardonnay and Semillon. The varietal’s small berries and bunches, thick skins, and loosely structured clusters thrive in moderate to warm climates, where careful canopy management helps achieve optimal phenolic ripeness. Geographe has proven to be an ideal region for showcasing Fiano’s varietal characteristics.

The 2025 vintage marked our first Fiano harvest, hand-picked on February 5, a fruit day. The grapes were chilled overnight before being crushed, destemmed, and pressed. Fermentation and maturation occurred naturally in three distinct vessel types: two-year-old French oak barriques, clayvers (ceramic tanks), and stainless steel barrels. All vessels held the wine on full solids, each imparting unique textural qualities and personality. The wine matured for six months before bottling under cork, allowing complexity and depth to develop.

In the glass, the 2025 Fiano shines with a vibrant lemon hue. The bouquet reveals aromatics ranging from fresh hay and golden delicious apples to lemon verbena. On the palate, it is medium bodied and high acid. The flavours evoke the essence of southern Italy—meyer lemon rind, lemon curd, honeysuckle, a hint of hazelnut meal, and a briny Sicilian olive note. The overall impression is brisk and fresh, offering a pleasant pithy chew, a chalk minerality, and a savoury, briny finish.

This Fiano is designed to be enjoyed now as an easy-going wine, yet it also has the structure to reward cellaring for up to five years. Over time, it will develop further honeyed and waxy characteristics, adding depth and intrigue to its profile.