Woodside cellar door Artwine has become renowned for its allegiance to alternative wine varieties that thrive in the region’s cool climate.
The single vineyard producer’s large range of new-emerging wines, such as the Montepulciano, grüner veltliner, and arneis, have earnt the praise of many wine show judges over the years, with 32 trophies won since 2011. Artwine recently secured three accolades to add to its collection, although owner Judy Kelly says the excitement never quite wears off. “We still get incredibly excited,” she says.
“I can remember winning our first medal years ago which was a bronze.” Artwine recently secured trophies at the Royal Sydney Wine Show for its fiano and rosé, also claiming a gong for best dry red at the Australian Single Vineyard Wine Show for its cabernet franc.
“We are all about the new-emerging varieties,” Judy says. “We are very much in the sphere of funky new wines that people might have never tasted and are learning to love.”
Judy and husband Glen have been making fiano since 2012 and last year the Artwine drop was awarded the best fiano in the country by the Young Gun of Wine.
A white variety that originated from the Campania region of southern Italy, fiano has a history that dates to the days of the Roman Empire.
Judy says the Artwine drop has “a bit of spice on the middle palette” and is the perfect wine to enjoy on a hot summer’s day, as is the award-winning rosé. “The rosé is made from our pinot noir,” she says.
“We took it off skins early so it’s a beautiful colour and is just a delicious wine.
“All these wines we produce are much lighter in style and are food-friendly. They are very approachable.” Artwine’s flagship albariño and prosecco are also held in high esteem.
Artwine is the only cellar door in the region offering an estate-grown prosecco and albariño.
The prosecco will be in the spotlight when Artwine opens its doors on October 22 and 23 for the Sparkling Spring Weekend, a festival celebrating the bubbly wine style in venues across the Adelaide Hills. Visitors to the architecturally built cellar door are greeted by large 200-year-old French doors at the entrance before taking in impressive and expansive views of the vineyard.
“The cellar door is very contemporary, and light- filled,” Judy says.
“We have a beautiful terrace where we serve cheese boards and platters overlooking the vines. It’s very pretty.”
