As the Hunter Valley shakes off the winter chill and the days grow longer, now is the perfect time to refresh your wine rack. This spring, we are thrilled to unveil five stunning new releases—four crisp, vibrant wines from our 2026 vintage, plus a very special 2025 single-vineyard Italian varietal close to our family’s heart.
The 2026 vintage here in the Hunter was fast and furious. Ideal hot and dry conditions condensed our harvesting window into an intense four-week sprint. Because the vines flourished during the dry growing season, the resulting fruit quality was exceptionally high—an absolute dream for a small, family-owned winery like ours.
Combined with our 2025 Single Vineyard Pecorino, this lineup is built for sunshine, long lunches, and good times with great friends.
2026 Special Release Guardian Rosé
We love crafting rosé, so bringing bubbles into the mix was an easy decision. Exclusive to our DeWine Club members and cellar door guests, this sparkling rosé is crafted from estate-grown Merlot and Shiraz. It bursts with crushed red berries and an energetic, fine bead of bubbles before wrapping up with a crisp, brilliantly dry finish.
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How to enjoy it: Chilled in the afternoon sun alongside a grazing board loaded with triple cream brie, salty prosciutto, and crusty bread, or paired with smoked salmon blinis.
2026 Estate Rosé
If you prefer your pink wine still, our 2026 Estate Rosé is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Freshly pressed Merlot and Shiraz juices were fermented on their skins for just two hours to achieve a delicate cotton-candy hue. Cool fermentation locked in aromatics of strawberries, peaches, and cream, backed by lush raspberry fruit and lively natural acidity.
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How to enjoy it: Made to be drunk in its youth during long lunches that merge into dinner. Think pink for food pairings: charcuterie, grilled salmon fillet, tuna niçoise, or a crispy pork banh mi.
2026 Estate Semillon
Grown on our Lovedale Road property where our first Semillon vines were planted in the early 1990s, this wine is a testament to the Hunter Valley’s world-renowned viticultural heritage. Expect a highly aromatic nose of bright lemon and fresh lime, leading into a punchy, bone-dry palate with subtle jasmine florals and a racy line of acidity.
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How to enjoy it: Pour a glass right now with a dozen freshly shucked Sydney Rock oysters, crispy salt and pepper squid, or grilled flathead. Have patience? Tuck a few bottles in the cellar for five or more years to watch those citrus notes evolve into rich, creamy lemon curd and meringue.
2026 Estate Verdelho
Verdelho has deep roots in the Hunter Valley dating back to the 1820s, and our Lovedale Road vines (planted in the early 90s) continue to do this historic variety proud. This 2026 release delivers an immediate tropical hit of lychee, passionfruit, and crushed pineapple, balanced by bright natural acidity and a clean, dry finish.
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How to enjoy it: Its juicy fruit profile and bright acidity make it a brilliant partner for spice. Pair it with fragrant Thai green chicken curry, Vietnamese prawn rice paper rolls, or spicy fish tacos with mango salsa.
2025 Single Vineyard Steven Vineyard Pecorino
Rounding out our spring release is a wine that pays homage to the De Iuliis family’s roots in Abruzzo, Italy. We were the first in the Hunter Valley to plant this native Italian white variety back in 2020 on the alluvial, sandy flats of our Steven Vineyard. Handpicked, basket-pressed, and aged on full lees in neutral French oak barriques for nine months using indigenous yeast, the 2025 vintage offers incredible palate weight, creamy texture, and a zippy salinity.
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How to enjoy it: Drink now or cellar for 3–5 years. Pair Italian varietals with Italian food: calamari fritti, cavolo nero pesto pappardelle, or Risotto alla Milanese. Buon appetito!