We are thrilled to share exciting news from the prestigious Halliday Wine Companion! Our 2024 Steven Vineyard Pecorino has been awarded an outstanding 95 points by Toni Paterson MW. This significant recognition reaffirms our commitment to crafting exceptional wines and highlights the unique qualities of this intriguing varietal.
The Pecorino grape holds a special place in the De Iuliis story, as it’s the native white variety from the Abruzzo region of Italy, where our family originally migrated from. A trip to Abruzzo in 2022 inspired Mike De Iuliis to pay homage to the region’s winemaking, and the release of this 2024 Steven Vineyard Pecorino marks a new stylistic direction for our Pecorino.
Crafted from grapes that saw excellent growing conditions in 2024, resulting in low yields and high quality, this wine is a testament to meticulous winemaking. The grapes were handpicked and basket pressed for gentle extraction. The juice was then transferred to neutral French oak barriques to enhance texture and palate weight. The use of indigenous yeast further enhances complexity. Aged in barrel for 9 months on full lees, this process increased the palate texture, providing creaminess and softening the naturally high acidity.
While the 2024 vintage was crafted in a slightly more complex style to add palate weight and textuality, it also boasts excellent cellaring potential for 3-5 years.
This Pecorino is a fantastic match for Italian cuisine, as “Italian food with Italian varietals is a match made in foodie heaven”. Its zippy salinity and palate weight pair perfectly with dishes like calamari fritti, Cavolo Nero pesto pappardelle, or Risotto alla Milanese.
We were pioneers in the Hunter Valley, being the first to plant Pecorino in 2020. In 2024, we further expanded the original vineyard with additional plantings. The vines are thriving on the alluvial, sandy flats of our Steven Vineyard.
We invite you to experience this critically acclaimed wine for yourself.
