R'dotto Royale
⏳ Drinking Window
2021 - 2026
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Slow-cooked beef ragu, wood-fired sausage pizza, roasted eggplant parmigiana
✨ Technical Specifications
Inspired by 'Il Ridotto', the famous 17th-century Venetian gambling house where masked patrons risked fortunes in secret, RedHeads R'dotto Royale represents a daring winemaking gamble. Rather than sticking solely to traditional South Australian Shiraz or Cabernet, the winemakers rolled the dice on classic Italian grape varieties planted in the warm soils of South Australia. This intriguing blend captures the theatrical, masquerade spirit of Venice with the bold, sun-drenched character of Australian terroir. Handcrafted in small batches, the wine undergoes traditional fermentation and careful oak aging to balance the naturally vibrant acidity and rustic tannins of its Italian heritage with rich, fleshy dark fruit flavors.
🍾 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, Sangiovese, Barbera
🍷 ABV
14-14.5%