Saorsa - The Day The Wine Industry Died - Appassimento Viognier 2021
“This wine is all about tradition. We could not possibly think of a better example where one wine could possibly throw every aspect of industrial revolution away. A time honoured technique where perfect grapes are hand picked and gently laid out on beds of straw to dehydrate and ultimately concentrate to produce the most wild of wines.”
-Alex
Saorsa is a term for a radical sense of freedom and liberty and represents Saorsa Wines perfectly. This micro-boutique producer makes very small batches of Viognier and Syrah in Hawke’s Bay. Family owned and operated, Alex and Hana are the power couple behind it all, working full time jobs and raising two kids alongside building their wine legacy. With a serious cult following behind them, you need to be quick, as their new releases sell out fast.
Saorsa’s wines are produced in the most traditional of ways. All of their fruit is hand picked, the juice and wines are handled oxidatively without causing oxidation and faults, inert gases are not used in any part of production, and all transfers are made by gravity where possible. Their wines are then aged in neutral oak to allow natural development while letting the wines show what they really are, not what they can be made to do. To Saorsa, wines are all about texture, all fermentations are wild, and ageing is gauged on the individual wine and not rushed. Their wines are bottled unrefined always, and unfiltered where possible with the only addition being sulphur for bottling.
Saorsa Wines are aiming to extend their range in the future as they find plots that are fitting. The goal is to work towards getting organic or biodynamic sites to further push individuality in the wines.
All of their wines are small production and unapologetic. A strong, unique and enticing producer you need not miss.
First Vintage: 2015
Scale: 300 Cases
Range: Syrah, Viognier, Rose and Appassimento
Restaurant/Food: You can find Saorsa at all of the coolest wine bars around NZ
Did you know… Saorsa wines are almost impossible to get your hands on unless you pre order or subscribe to us!
