Cuvee Selene, Manon 2019

Tim Webber and Monique Milton moved to Manon Farm in 2016. It occupies a beautiful part of the Forest Range on a ridge some 600 metres above sea level, with views all the way down to the Indian Ocean at the Gulf of Saint Vincent.  The elevation and cool breezes from the gulf make for a long, slow ripening period, a real blessing in this country. The soils are a complex mix of red clay, quartz and schist, which gives the wines their compact nature, along with a distinctive mineral character. Only six of the farm’s ten hectares are planted with vineyards, the rest is left to orchards, vegetable gardens, livestock, native forest and plenty of kangaroos. They farm biodynamically, without irrigation and with a real focus on diversity that allows nature to find its balance. It goes without saying that they do not use chemicals and instead focus on infusions of seaweed, herbs and minerals to let the plants thrive. 

A blend of Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc which were each macerated for six months in ceramic eggs as whole bunches, before being pressed off to old barrels for six months of élevage. Named after the Greek goddess of the moon, this is perhaps the deepest wine we have tried from these guys and with firm tannins, fistfuls of spice and a pleasant bitterness that suggest it should age with aplomb.

Producer  Manon Farm

Origin Adelaide Hills, Australia

Grapes Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris

Vintage 2019

Alcohol 12% ABV

Style Medium body natural white

Bottle size 750ml 

Winemaking Manual harvested, macerated for 6 months, fermented with indigenous yeast, aged for 6 months. Unfiltred and unfined. No added sulphites.

Notes  Natural, Organic, Biodynamic