Supernatural Wine Co.
For the curious, the cosmopolitan, the devotees of organic and bio-dynamic principles, and most certainly for wine-fanatics: Our novelty from Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand is exceptional, exciting, and always leads to exhilarating discourse.
Just eight hectares of Sauvignon Blanc and a miniature vineyard of under a hectare of Pinot Gris – this is viticulturalist Hayden Penny’s demesne. The first tendrils were planted in 1989 on the Tuki Tuki Hills. In 2004, the Collinge family acquired the estate and planted new vines of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris. The northward vineyards are situated on hillsides with an incline of up to 30%. The calciferous loamy soil with volcanic influences (Green Glow) and sandy loamy soil sitting on a sandstone base (The Supernatural) produce inimitable wines full of character. The climate resembles that of Bordeaux, though a bit cooler overall.
The vineyard boasts an organic certification since 2015. Further advances revolve around bio-dynamic cultivation. The wines are vinified with as little interference as possible, fermented with indigenous yeasts, are barely or not filtered at all, and bottled with minimal amounts of sulphur. Green Glow and Spook Light are fermented on skins and maintained in contact with the lees for a couple of weeks – not unlike red wines, which explains their intense colour. The Pinot Gris, especially, glows in a beautiful red-and-gold shade.
The unconventional closure makes for another eyecatcher, as it is rarely used for wines. Some wine experts regard the crown cork as the superlative wine closure. And should the lights go out, you will have no troubles finding a bottle of Green Glow: it glows in the dark – for any eventualities.
Hawke’s Bay, situated on New Zealand’s northern island, embodies a paradise for spoilt palates, wine aficionados, and friends of nature. The vineyard is set in Millar Road, a wonderful place to spend a few relaxing days. Guests to the villas can expect any luxury conceivable, tastefully furnished surroundings, and a sublime view past the vineyards out onto the unending Pacific Ocean.
White wines from Supernatural Wine Co.
from Supernatural Wine Co.
Producer
Cascina Barisél / Franco Penna
With just 5 hectares, Franco Penna's winery is small but exquisite. The estate near Canelli, east of Alba, comprises only the very best south-facing sites with calcareous soils. Franco's father Enrico, who bought the estate in the 1960s, obviously knew what he was doing.
Bodega Palacios Remondo
He was born 'at home', right above his father's bodega – Álvaro Palacios, Spains star vintner. The scent of wine and barrels must have been lying in the air and thus dictated his further life. He studied oenology in Bordeaux and gathered professional experience at the Château Pétrus, and in London, Dublin, and California. Today, he owns vines in the Priorat county, in Bierzo, and at home in the Rioja, and proves his extraordinary talent with premium wines year after year.
Maison Stéphan
Jean-Michel Stéphan has vinified more than 30 vintages of Côte-Rôtie and is one of the true masters of natural winemaking (vins naturels) in the northern Rhône region. His wines have a vibrant purity that makes them unmistakable, characterised by a balance of energy and transcendence that stems from his vision of making impeccable wines without any additives.