Young Guns of Wine: Straits Wine’s New – Wave Winemakers

This month, we’re shining a light on the best young wine labels and winemakers across the world who push the boundaries, break the rules and create cutting-edge wines with personality and energy. Although wine is an old art, it is at the same time fresh as there are always new young “guns” on the rise with great ideas and big dreams. Here are our picks of Young Guns of Wine you should definitely keep an eye out for as well as bottles you must get this November while they’re on promotion. Check out the full range on promotion here, and discover more by following us on @straitswinecompany.

Pic credit: Pranzegg Wines

Pranzegg: Alto Adige’s Burgeoning Biodynamic Movement

Martin Gojer and his partner Marion Untersulzner grow and make the wildly popular biodynamic Pranzegg wines in the beautiful landscapes of Alto Adige. Taking over his family’s estate in 2008, they very quickly decided to convert the traditional vineyards to biodynamic, and stopped selling to the local cooperatives. Being utters of culture and nature, it is primarily their intention to narrate the region, the scene, the year and their way of living. Spontaneous fermentation, long abidance on the lees, no fining and filtration, minimal doses of sulfur and a lot of patience and guts are the stages from grape to wine. They accompany the whole process to produce individual wines with fun characters. The Pranzegg Campill 2017 is evidence of that. Fresh, vinous and of great elegance, it is a subtle, fine and straightforward wine that lends taste and full dignity to a grape variety that has been mistreated by the South Tyrolean territory.

Pic credit: Neighborhood Wine

Craven Wines – A Strong Union Between Land & People

A winemaking collaboration between husband-and-wife team Mick and Jeanine Craven, Craven Wines sources fruit from single vineyard sites in and around Stellenbosch making “site-specific, honest wines” that highlight the different terriers in the region. With an emphasis  on wines that are interesting, both stylistically and by varietal, they produce wines which have a sense of place and express where they come from.  Ultimately, the use of whole clusters, delicate extraction, low alcohol, and neutral oak élevage all allow the vineyards Mick respects so much to be the stars. The Craven Syrah The Firs Vineyard 2020 was whole bunched, lightly stomped, gently handled, into old puncheons for native ferment and 10 months’ rest. Quite powerful, yet finessed, the bottle offers notes of medicinal raspberry, cracked nutmeg, waves of fine black pepper woven through the brooding wild cherry and raspberry.

Pic credit: Carrick Winery

Bringing a World of Difference to Central Otago – Carrick

For founders Steve Green and Barbara Robertson Green, there is no distinction between grapes, wine and wine with food. They are part of a continuum that starts with the land and concludes with the wine in the glass. Committed to crafting small production, estate-grown, certified organic wines that speak of their unique home in Bannockburn, Central Otago, every effort is made to allow the wines to express their special position on the headland of the Kawarau River and the Bannockburn Inlet. Beautifully balanced, with earthy tones, complementing bright cherry notes, the Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2018 is a blend of 4 different parcels and 3 different clones, with fruit coming from vines that are entirely grown on their own roots and are the oldest vines they have on the property, planted in 1994.