UNICO ZELLO FIANO Jade and Jasper – ORGANIC, FOLLOWING NATURAL WINE PRACTICES
Inspired by an intense passion for the land, Helmed by Brenden and Laura Carter, their wines are crafted to showcase unique sites and soils that Australia has to offer, in styles that are typified by the life and culture of this sunburnt country. Using minimal intervention techniques such as zero irrigation, 100% wild ferment, and no additions of enzymes, nutrients, or sugars, they create organic, vegan, earth-friendly wines that respect the environment and communities around them.
In Brendan and Laura’s words, their aim is to create “Italian-inspired, textural and site-expressive wines” and “Australian examples of Mediterranean varieties in an approachable and jovial fashion.” Since bursting onto the scene in 2014 with their eye-catching, outrageously good value alternative vino, the Carters have spread their wings and their range.
They now make a large suite of wines, including single vineyard examples of Fiano, Nero d’Avola, and Nebbiolo. They are one of the most dynamic winemaking duos in the Adelaide Hills.
Jade and Jasper Fiano – from the winery: “The Alpha & Omega of Unico Zelo. When discovering the ability of Fiano’s incredible to be dry grown in the Riverland, a bonafide desert, it set us on the path that we were set to follow. It also certainly helps that the wine produced from it is nothing short of a delight. Elegant whiffs of jasmine and white peach blossoms, racy and crackling acidity with distinct Fiano texture. One of those white wines that can suit almost any situation calling for a good glass – it’s destined for the lunch table. A Sunshine Slurper.”
Hailing from two different vineyard sites with two different soil types (limestone and clay), provides this wine with complexity and texture unparalleled in the Clare Valley. 100% Fiano with 24 hours skin contact, wild fermentation, natural malolactic fermentation. 100% aging in stainless steel tanks.
Full of white peach blossoms, honeydew, and lemon, all covered in a generous splash of Grannysmith Apple. This continues onto an electric palate, lifted by a rich fruit-sweetness, and sparked to life with crispy acidity.
97 points, Decanter: Change is sweeping through South Australia’s vast Riverland region, with many vineyard owners embracing an array of Mediterranean grape varieties. This is what excites Brendon and Laura Carter of boutique Adelaide Hills winery Unico Zelo, who purchase Fiano from a dry-grown Waikerie vineyard for Jade and Jasper – one of four different Fiano styles they make from a variety of fruit sources. This afable, friendly interpretation is all about citrus freshness and crunchy texture on the mid-palate. Seductive, airy perfume of jasmine, lemon aspen and white peach, anchored on the palate by lemon curd and green apple bite with nashi pear and racy acidity leaving the flavours to linger.