With its wines inspired by the winemaking traditions of southern Europe, the vineyards of New South Wales, and the relaxed South Coast lifestyle, Cupitt’s Estate likes to think of its wines as “New Southern Wines”.
We were hugely impressed with the wines when we visited Cupitt’s earlier this year (read our post about our visit to the estate here). We were surprised to learn that there were 24 wines in their line-up, sourced from many of the top NSW regions, with a strong focus on Mediterranean varieties.
During our ‘Meet the Winemaker’ experience, Wally Cupitt spoke about his “less is best” philosophy – allowing the grapes to find their voice but ultimately letting them do the talking – an approach that produces wines with structure and complexity, reflecting the varietal character and regions in which they are grown.
“We are so close to these amazing regions,” says Wally, who in response to the Shoalhaven’s more humid climate, sources grapes from inland New South Wales regions such as Hilltops, Tumbarumba, Canberra, and Orange. All the wines are made on site at Cupitt’s.
In recent weeks, we’ve had the opportunity to sample some of Cupitt’s latest releases; you can read our tasting notes below.
Located in the foothills of the Budawang Ranges between Milton and Ulladulla, Cupitt’s Estate offers a lovely experience if you happen to be visiting the NSW South Coast.
With its cellar door in an 1852 stone building that was originally a butter creamery, the estate would not look out of place in rural France — which is not surprising given that Rosie Cupitt, who founded the estate with her husband Griff, is a horticulturalist who spent a lot of time in France and set about re-creating many of the things she loved about France.
Rosie was the original winemaker before handing over the reins to her son Wally in 2013. Together with Rosie and Griff’s other son, Tom, and Tom’s wife Libby, the family have transformed the property into a luxury retreat with 10 beautiful villas, a restaurant, wine garden, brewery, winery and cellar door, creating an all-round experience for their guests.
The estate’s wine selection can be explored through guided tastings ($15 per person, with the fee waived if you buy two or more bottles), Tour & Taste experiences, or the Meet the Winemaker experience which includes a tasting in the underground barrel cave.
More information: cupittsestate.com.au
Cupitt’s Estate 2024 Viognier, $35: We loved this aromatic wine made from Hilltops grapes. Fermented in oak, it is soft and delicate with subtle apricot notes.
Cupitt’s Estate 2024 Arneis, $34: It’s great to see the Canberra wine region branching out into Italian varieties like this very easy-drinking Arneis. With apple and pear notes, hints of citrus and a slight nuttiness, it is lovely for summer quaffing.
Cupitt’s Estate 2024 Fiano, $36: Broader on the palate than the Arneis, this Fiano was made from barrel-fermented Hilltops grapes. It is crisp and refreshing with lemony aromas and a nice balance of citrus and hazelnut flavours. Fiano seems to be the flavour of the month (year?) and when you come across examples like this, it’s easy to see why.
Cupitt’s Estate 2024 Vermentino, $34: Pack this in your picnic basket and enjoy it at the beach or the great outdoors. Made from minimally handled Hilltops fruit, it’s a wee bit salty with a whole lot of summer zing and crisp acidity.
Cupitt’s Estate 2024 Little Red, $32: An inspired blend of Tumbarumba Pinot Noir and Hilltops Nebbiolo, this was such a joy to drink, with fine tannins, lovely fruit sweetness, and as the label so evocatively declares, “fragrant mouth-watering potpourri vibes”.
Cupitt’s Estate 2022 Luncheon Claret, $29: If you like Merlot, you’ll appreciate this bright and savoury red from the Hilltops region. An easy-drinking, medium-bodied blend with coffee and cherry notes and a hint of mint.
Cupitt’s Estate 2023 Sangiovese, $42: Cupitt’s sees reds like this Hilltops Sangiovese as the future of NSW wine: “drought tolerant, tough enough for the ‘Strayan sun and grouse with food.” Yes, this juicy, medium-bodied red is crying out for lamb chops, a fine steak or anything else cooked on the charcoal grill.
