This is the second iteration of this pack. It was super popular last year so we definitely wanted to bring it back and had a heap of fun scanning the vinous landscape here and abroad looking to the very bright future of this fascinating industry. 

As the name might indicate it's all about celebrating the next generation of winemakers who are making their mark in the world of wine. Some have already cut their teeth at family estates and decided to go it alone, taking a leap of faith, breaking free making wines on their own terms. Others are returning to the fold of familiar and familial haunts coming home from extended stints overseas or interstate where they have been excitedly exploring, and experimenting ready to re-energise and re-invigorate.

Most have been bitten by the winemaking bug, desperately fallen in love, and risked it all, diving head-first into the world of wine. Whether it's quitting their day jobs or making a sea change they are living their best vinous life with all its ups and downs and we are reaping the rewards.

The roster of talented and passionate winemakers doing their thing and strutting their stuff continues to impress making for some exciting drinking for everyone. You have probably heard us talk about many, and some you may be as new to us as they are to you.

What's most exciting is that it doesn't even come close to scratching the surface of the next generation of winemakers exploding onto the scene.

Enjoy!

 

Immel Weissburgunder 2022

GEROG RIESER

Immel Biowein is a project between renowned winemaker, Phillip Wittmann (Wittman Estate) and the cellar master, Georg Rieser.

This characteristic Immel Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) walks an impressive tightrope of freshness and elegance. Playful aromas of ripe fruit, herbs and mandarin. The palate delivers a beautiful creamy texture accented with subtle hints of roasted nuts. 

Stage Door Clare Valley Riesling 2022

DAN FALKENBERG

A little more Christmas lily and freshly squeezed lime, instead of orange blossom, when compared to its ’21 sibling. This release seems to have a little more detail and clarity to boot; running on rails of crystalline acidity and displaying a real sense of green apple crunch on the crisp, dry finish. Pretty delicious. DAVE BROOKES, Halliday Wine Companion 

Dan Falkenberg won YG Viticulturalist last year and continues to impress. He is doing wonderful things in the vineyard and looks to be one of the leading lights of the next generation of Australia's wine industry.

Chalmers 'Dott' Mlavasia 2022

KIM CHALMERS

This is a grippy white wine with floral and stone fruit characters aplenty, matched to cooked apple, guava and brine. It's ultra-textural, and dry with it. Length isn't a strong suit here, but that didn't stop me from wanting to hook into it with gusto, thanks to the combination of mouth-watering acidity, lively flavour and all that grip. CAMPBELL MATTINSON, Halliday Wine Companion 

If you haven't heard of Kim Chalmers and the crew at Chalmers then you must be hiding under a rock. They continue to be at the forefront of alternative varietals in Australia though these days they have mainstreamed many varietals that were once on the drinking cusp of many consumers. Kim continues to impress with an ever-increasing range from championing many of Italy's greatest varietals.

Harvest Moon Pinot Grigio 2023

CALLIE JAMIESON

Callie has grown up with wine in the blood. It was family holidays to Chianti in Italy, and tasting’s at Louis Roederer in France that sparked a serious passion in Callie from a very young age. Having studied psychology and criminology at Melbourne University, and qualifying as a chef it was the lure of wine and more so vineyards that she just couldn’t resist. She’s now studying wine making at Charles Sturt University, and has already worked at some A-list wineries, including De Bortoli in the Yarra Valley, Littorai Wines in California and Fattoria Zerbina in Romagna.

This is a smashing combo of classic Alsace and northern Italian style grigio. Bursting with Apple, pear, some honeysuckle spice, and a hint minerally goodness too that you don't often find at this level. It's the lighter side of mid-wright packed with crispy fruit and plenty of it the focus to a fine, citrus-driven fresh with lots of crunch and energy. The quintessential drink don't think wine. 

Balnaves Chardonnay 2022

JACINTA JENKINS

SPECIAL VALUE - HALLIDAY WINE  COMPANION

Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed and barrel fermented, with half wild fermentation, half cultured, in French oak (18% new); 11 months maturation on lees. No wonder Balnaves almost always takes the honours at the Limestone Coast Wine Show. (95) JAMES HALLIDAY 

 Jacinta took over a couple of years back at Balnaves and was recently nominated for Halliday winemaker of the year. She is a Coonawarra native and the wines are on fire!

De Bortoli Vinoque Same Same 2023

KATE WEBBER

A blend of 65/35% pinot meunier/noir. If not the same-same as last year's, then pretty close. A light, vibrant red wine chock-full of red berries and spice. Incredibly easygoing and quite delicious on the palate. Hardly any tannin to mention, and the perfect picnic quaffer, served slightly chilled. PHILIP RICH, Halliday Wine Companion 

Bright ruby and purple in the glass. Fragrant red cherry and crushed amaro herb aromas. Redcurrant fruit on the palate with some bunchy herbal notes. Brightly fresh with lively acidity that carries to a decent length with a brush of tannins drying the finish. Serve slightly chilled. STUART KNOX, The Real Review 

Kate (Daughter of Steve Webber and Leanne De Bortoli) spent two years working in the winemaker's’ laboratory at the family’s Yarra Valley Estate after completing a Bachelor of Science degree at Monash University. Proving that a passion for wine is part of her DNA, Kate is now part of the winemaking team in the Yarra Valley. 

Bondar Junto 2023

ANDRE BONDAR

SPECIAL VALUE - HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION

This is 65/16/8/8/3% grenache/shiraz/mataro/cinsault/carignan. It feels even finer and more elegant than prior. A cool year, yes, but it feels like evolution, too. Either way, what a charming thing it is, redolent of blue and red florals, just-picked wild raspberry and bright-red cherries, along with hardy Mediterranean herbs. It’s not just about front, though, with a fine and complex netting of natural tannin and a vivid line of acidity. What elevates it is skipping the easy path of pulpy frivolity for a gastronomic architecture and lightness of feel. (94) MARCUS ELLIS, Halliday Wine Companion 

“Subtlety, nuance, complexity – something I try to achieve in all my Bondar wines,” ANDRE BONDAR

Domaine Lalaurie Rivage Rouge IGP Coteaux de Narbonne 2021

CAMILLE & AUDREY LALAURIE

Following their father's death in 2020, twin sisters Camille and Audrey are forging ahead as the 10th generation to run this gorgeous family farm near Narbonne in the Languedoc. As an enologist Camille has overseen a significant jump in quality by introducing modern winemaking techniques after working vintages abroad. They are investing in revitalising the old cellar and focused on biodiversity and achieving close to organic farming practices. Her wine style is sparkly, clean and honest, delivering impeccable quality across the range. 

We featured their white last year and this year are looking at their equally excellent red. It's all you could want from the region with a lovely rusiticty to the fruit, willd, small berries, some earthen and bracken notes that keep it interesting. Crunchy, fresh with lovely peppercorn spice and hints of orange peel and sweet spice. Perfect mid-season red. 

ELM Bomba Rosso 2022

MADELIENE MARSON

Emerging winemaker Madeleine Marson has launched her first wines under the ELM label. ELM wines pay tribute to the upbringing Madeleine and her two sisters, Emily and Laura (together ELM), had in the Yarra Valley and Heathcote, where winemaking and the traditions of the Italian family table were strongly held. A long (official and unofficial) apprenticeship under the instruction of her father, Mario Marson, followed, and together they now run Vinea Marson in Heathcote. There, Madeleine got her hands on some parcels of fruit from Heathcote and the Alpine Valleys and crafted these playful takes on Italian family favourites. 

ELM ‘Bomba Rosso’ takes an Australian approach to Friulian blends, with Heathcote Shiraz’s bright fruit concentration married with the enticing savouriness of Nebbiolo. A complex nose of red berries, blackcurrants, liquorice and dried herbs is followed by a rich and intense palate with dry and chewy tannins typical of the Nebbiolo variety. 

Guido Porro Dolcetto d'Alba 2023

FABIO PORRO

Guido Porro remains one of the most underrated growers in Serralunga. ANTONIO GALLONI, vinous.com

They are traditionalist at heart employing large format oak, no fining or filtering nor any herbicides or pesticides in the vineyards. The approach across the board is thoughtful, deliberate and with a hands-off approach in the winery. The wines are all hand harvested with either concrete or stainless steel for fermentation.

 

Allevare Sangiovese 2023

LUCY KENDALL & ALYSHA MOSCATT

Red and black berries, a bit of toast, glazed bread crust, pomegranate grip and sage—bitter herb, a hint of Amaretti hovering above it all or tamari almonds. It’s has an Italianesque thang about it, palate is a bit more medicinal and loose, with sandy tannins and warming of alcohol. Nice, easy sipping red. KASIA SOBIESIAK, The Wine Front 

Lucy and Alysha are based in West Gippsland, looking after small parcels of land and sourcing fruit from around Victoria. Producing delicious and honest wines under their label 'Allevare', meaning 'to nurture', they pride themselves on working with the land and collaborating with growers in all regions with a focus on sustainability and innovation. An amalgam of Sicilian and local sensibilities, and some of the most joyful and inviting labels in the game.Artwork by Bridgette McNab, an old Sicilian love story about Teste di Moro. 

Kaesler Reach For The Sky Shiraz 2021

TIM DOLAN

Another cracker from the excellent 2021 vintage, more along the blueberry and boysenberry fruit line in this wine with abundant spice and hints of dark chocolate, licorice, Christmas cake, roasting meats and violets. Tight, fine sandy tannins lend ample support and the wine trails off nicely with a real meaty, dark-fruited edge. DAVE BROOKES, Halliday Wine Companion

Stewed black and red plums mix with vanilla pod on the nose. The palate is velvety and suave making it very inviting in its youth. Salted licorice notes on the finish add a twist and chew, it's a tempting and fresh Barossan shiraz. GABRIELLE POY, The Real Review 

Tim is a 3rd generation Barossa winemaker. Son of Nigel and grandson of Bryan, arguably two of the most influential Australian winemakers of their respective eras, Tim not only has the pedigree, but the passion, experience and qualifications to go with it. Awarded Dux of the famous Len Evans Tutorial in 2018, Tim has a degree in Oenology from the University of Adelaide and is regularly selected as a judge on the Australian winemaking circuit.

Tim joined the team in September 2022 after 10 years as the Senior Winemaker at Peter Lehmann Wines and various vintages in different regions across USA, Italy, Canada and Australia.