UNICO ZELO

adelaide hills + • SOUTH AUSTRALIA

UNICO ZELO

We craft playful wines for the climate, food + culture we have in Australia.

We borrow a lot from the natural wine tenants although we aren't tied to any rules. We're constantly trying to find ways to minimise our impact while striking a considered balance between technology and terroir. Much of the heavy lifting is done for us in the varieties we make wine from; being more suited to the climate and water-availability.

It's not about 'Italian' or 'French' or 'Spanish' - it's about the right grape for the site. We're not re-inventing the wheel here: when using a combination of The Winkler Index and Homoclime Matching - the land itself actually tells you want to plant (give or take). It just-so-happens that these figures are telling us to plant more heat and drought resistant varieties. For sure, we have a guiding hand over this - but we're agnostic to variety - we want to find the best for our sites and climates. French, Italian, Spanish, Greek, German - whatever - we're Australia, and we're all about Australian Wine.

2022 esoterico

SKU +309413 | $24.99 WHSL | 12 x 750ml | 10.5% abv

Zibibbo, Gewurtztraminer, Moscato Giallo + Greco from the Riverland & Clare Valley

Esoterico's a wild child. Our most popular wine by a country-mile. The perfect introduction to orange wine. Crafting a pinpoint precise, squeaky clean wine is one of the most boring things we could possibly think of. We prefer embracing your inner creative, and searching for more radical experiences. This has become one of our most cult-followed wines since we began. It's not exactly white wine, nor red - many call it Amber wine...but we just call it Esoterico. We make no additions of any kind - save for sulphur when we bottle the wine. There is no fining or filtration involved, with the wine allowed to clarify by gravity alone - resulting in a slight haze and sediment. This is one of the most enjoyable wines to craft, as there was no preconceived idea of what it must taste like - the chief driver is pure drinkability - a 'scrumptious' quality - mouthwatering acidity and 'say hello!' tannins. It's a Bohemian at heart.

2023 fresh a.f.

SKU +58212 | $24.99 WHSL | 12 x 750ml | 12% abv

Nero d'Avola + Zibibbo from Barmera, Riverland.

Our most popular red! Fresh, vibrant and thirst quenching. If anywhere in the world could make the freshest, zippiest style of Red - you'd expect it to be in the middle of the desert. Hailing from some of the most ancient soils on earth - The Riverland, is a complete underdog region that epitomises what it is to craft fine wine on the edge. Rich red earth, sandy soils covering limestone. Challenging, avant-garde - and one of the most exciting wines we've crafted to date. We're intensely passionate about Nero d'Avola and it's clear potential in the warm, sun-drenched spots of Australia. The insane water-efficiency of this variety coupled with no additions in the vineyard or winery (save for a small component of SO2 at bottling) displays the potential for this variety to craft succulent, juicy, aromatic and supremely refreshing wine. A touch of ancient vine Zibibbo lifts the aroma into supreme smashability. Fresh. A.F.

*2024* truffle hound

SKU +58217 | $24.99 WHSL | 12 x 750ml | 11.5% abv

Nebbiolo + Barbera from the Clare Valley + Adelaide Hills.

The Undefeated Champion of Pizza Wine. Affectionately known as ‘Truffle Hound’ - is our early-released, approachable and jovial expression of Barbera & Nebbiolo - we aim to retain the higher aromatics, herbal savouriness for its amaro-like refreshment. For those that favour meaty, gaminess over bright plum fruit. An exploration for umami-like refreshment. It presents with smoky, amaro-like liquorice and cardamom spice. Given drive by a lively and juicy palate-weight and pucker with a bright yet savoury finish.