Unico Zela Delta Blue Adelaide Hills 2022

Description

Unico Zelo is a small winery, run by the youthful Brendan and Laura Carter. Still only in their mid-twenties, this dynamic couple have been making wine under the Unico Zelo label for the last seven years, taking their inspiration from their intense passion for their native land. The wines are crafted from varieties that require minimal intervention, both in the vineyard and the winery. The in-depth study of vineyard sites in South Australia has led them to focus on Italian varieties, such as Fiano and Nero d’Avola which are perfectly suited to being dry-farmed in the arid Riverland as well as Dolcetto, Nebbiolo and Barbera which flourish in the inland, continental climate of the Clare Valley. These delicious and unique wines combine sustainability and drinkability to great effect.

Winemaker's Notes:

Langhorne Creek is one of (if not) the oldest flood-irrigated wine regions in the world. There have been agreements between landholders since the 50s about the use and direction of river flood water. The soils can take a full 40-50cm of flood water only to have it all soak in within 36 hours to replenish the subsoil and provide the grower with enough soils moisture to get the vines through the entire season without the need to take water from the Murray pipeline. It speaks to what we're about - sustainable usage of water, and we love the soil profile here, which has led to the name Delta Blue. (Also, we have to mention the double reference in the name of this wine for our big love of the blues of another famous Delta - the Mississippi).

The soils here have been formed from the mighty Murray River meeting the sea for thousands of years, which over time have formed a diverse range of alluvial clays that litter the region. Where we find the Old Mill Estate, is based on a thick bed of dense, red clay loam, where some stunning Touriga Nacional and Cabernet(s) are grown. The moderate climate, with a great deal of maritime influence, is as climatically suited to these varieties as it almost gets in Australia.