NATURAL WINE｜2022 BACK TO BASICS – SKIN CONTACT

2022 Back To The Basic – Skin Contact

Varietal Composition｜51% Semillon, 49% Riesling
Flavour｜Peach, citrus peel and ruby grapefruit.
Palate｜Mineral-driven with strong tension. Riesling’s natural acidity and Semillon’s texture show clearly. Bursting with citrus—think grapefruit and brown lime. Lovely texture and grip.
Drinking Window｜2023 – 2026+
Alcohol｜11.9%

About the Vineyard
This skin-contact white is a blend of Semillon and Riesling, grown organically and biodynamically at the Heysen Estate vineyard.

Vinification
The grapes were fermented on skins for 10 days, then matured in neutral oak for 5 months. The result is a wine that brings acidity to the forefront while offering complexity and refreshing drinkability. Best enjoyed chilled, but not too cold, otherwise its layers of flavour and aroma can be hidden. Unfined and unfiltered, the wine shows notes of mandarin and ginger, mead and mint, brown lime and a subtle savoury broth character. It is saline, bitter like Seville orange peel, with a powdery, slightly sour, drying texture—complex and intriguing. The finish may feel a little compressed, but overall it is a highly enjoyable and characterful wine.

International Reviews
The Wine Front: 90 points

About Whistler Wines
Whistler was founded in 1997 by Martin Pfeiffer, former chief viticulturist at Penfolds and a third-generation grape grower. At its heart, this family business is built on a love for the land. Today, Martin’s son Sam and his wife Kelsey are the second-generation custodians of the estate. The 15-hectare vineyard is farmed entirely according to organic and biodynamic principles. The family takes pride in producing handcrafted wines from sustainably grown fruit.

The Story Behind the Label
The willow tree on the label represents the estate’s organic and biodynamic practices, with a willow growing by the property’s dam. Skin-contact wines, like the one here, are a little “alternative”—a style with ancient roots, once made in clay amphorae, now enjoying a revival among progressive drinkers.