Head Wines Pty Ltd

Head Wines is the intriguing, but highly focused, venture of Alex Head, who came into the wine industry in 1997 with a degree in biochemistry from Sydney University. Experience in fine wine retail stores, wholesale importers and an auction house was followed by vintage work at wineries he particularly admired: Tyrrells,Torbreck, Laughing Jack and Cirillo Estate. The labelling and naming of the wines reflects his fascination with the Northern Rhone Valley, and, in particular, Cote-Rotie. The two facing slopes in Cote-Rotie are known as Cote Blonde and Cote Brune, sometimes combining grapes from the two slopes as Cote Brune et Blonde. Heads Blonde comes from an east-facing slope in the Stonewell area of the Barossa Valley, while The Brunette comes from a very low-yielding vineyard in the Moppa area. In each case, open fermentation (with whole bunches included) and basket-pressing precedes 15 months in seasoned French hogsheads. JAMES HALLIDAY, The Australian Wine Companion 2013