Monte
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2026
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Wood-fired sausage pizza, slow-cooked lamb shanks, rich tomato-based pasta dishes
✨ Technical Specifications
RedHeads 'Monte' is a vibrant celebration of the Italian grape variety Montepulciano, which has found an exceptional second home in the diverse terroirs of South Australia. True to the RedHeads philosophy of rescuing small, premium parcels of grapes from independent growers, this wine showcases the adaptability of alternative varietals in Australian soils. Traditionally associated with the Abruzzo region of Italy, the Montepulciano grapes for this cu\u00e9e are carefully selected to highlight the variety's signature deep color, bright acidity, and robust fruit profile. The winemakers employ minimal intervention techniques, allowing the natural rustic charm, dark cherry notes, and savory undertones of the grape to shine through, resulting in a deeply characterful red that challenges the traditional dominance of Shiraz and Cabernet in the region.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2002 by the UK-based Laithwaite family, RedHeads Wine evolved from an avant-garde collective of moonlighting South Australian winemakers into a purpose-built, eco-conscious estate in the Barossa Valley. Operating out of an off-grid winery in Angaston, the producer champions small-batch 'grape liberation,' sourcing distinctive micro-parcels from independent growers across the Barossa, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, and Eden Valley alongside its own eight-hectare certified organic estate vineyard. Viticulture and vinification prioritize environmental stewardship, confirmed by NASAA organic certification and international accolades for sustainable power and water conservation. In the cellar, head winemaker Alex Trescowthick employs open-top ferments, native yeasts, and sensitive oak regimens tailored to individual varietal profiles. The portfolio bridges Barossa power and aromatic precision, showcased through benchmark releases such as the 1888 Cabernet Sauvignon, Harmonie Rox Chardonnay, Triplex, and characterful Rhône and Mediterranean single-vineyard expressions.
🍇 Grapes
Montepulciano
🍷 ABV
14-14.5%