Bellwether wines are hand crafted and hope to influence Australian wine style trends, whether that be by vineyard management, berry sensory analysis for picking, use of indigenous yeast, lower alcohols or finer grained silky tannins. Bellwether gets back to the heart and soul of winemaking and is a true reflection of the special sites from which the fruit is grown.
Trend setting is about the observation and appreciation of true style, whether that be a new and respectful look at the Classic Coonawarra Cabernet, or modern, edgy and flinty cold climate Tasmanian Chardonnay. They are wines of purity, texture, complexity and finesse. It is all about the subtle points of difference, natural balance in the vineyard and the relationship between the ancient geology, soils and climate.
Respect is paid to this by dedicated hand pruning, shoot thinning and painstaking taste selection prior to picking, this is followed through in the winery with hand picking at harvest, open fermentation, basket pressing, indigenous yeast and a delicate hand with french oak. Bellwether wines make you think, they are wines that Sue Bell has carefully chosen to make.
