The In-Between Season: Perfect Wine Choices for Autumn
Autumn is one of the most stunning times on Kangaroo Island. And we have the perfect wines to drink right now.
The days are warm enough for picnics and beach sunsets. But the days are getting shorter, and the evenings settle in with a chill. We think it might just be the most interesting wine season of the year.
Kangaroo Island’s cool maritime climate produces wines that are ideally suited to this time of year. Our long, even ripening period produces medium-bodied wines that are bright and have a fantastic natural balance of acidity. Wines that work just as well on a sunny afternoon as they do on a chilly night.
Here are some of our favourite wines to drink right now.
Textural Whites for the Seasonal Shift
As summer’s super-hot days fade away, you don’t have to give up white wines. Try switching high acidity whites for ones with layered flavours and texture. This is where white wines that have been barrel fermented and aged to add character and structure really shine.
360 2023 Sauvignon Blanc
This is Sauvignon Blanc reimagined in a sophisticated Fumé Blanc style. The grapes undergo skin contact, then are barrel-fermented and aged for texture, complexity, and subtle smoke.
Sauv Blanc’s classic tropical fruits, passionfruit, lime zest, and a touch of sea salt meet flinty notes and vanilla from the barrel. Lees stirring during aging adds a subtle creamy texture, just enough to add sophistication.
Why it works now:
360 Sauv Blanc has the freshness for warm days, but enough structure to pair with autumn dishes.
360 Sauv Blanc has the freshness for warm days, but enough structure to pair with autumn dishes.
Serving tip:
10–14°C. The rule for chilled reds is to refrigerate them for 30 minutes before service. For textured whites, the opposite is true. Chill well, then remove from the fridge 30 mins before opening to allow the aromatics to come to life.
10–14°C. The rule for chilled reds is to refrigerate them for 30 minutes before service. For textured whites, the opposite is true. Chill well, then remove from the fridge 30 mins before opening to allow the aromatics to come to life.
On the table:
- Seafood pasta.
- Roast chicken with preserved lemon.
- Goat’s cheese salad.
2022 Wally White Semillon
Wally White is our flagship white wine. It encapsulates our old-world/new-world philosophy of taking traditional Bordeaux varietals and reinventing them on Kangaroo Island.
100% Semillon is barrel fermented and aged to create a wine that is rich, textural, and sophisticated. You’ll find aromas of lemon rind and white peach, hints of vanilla and slight smokiness. On the palate, lemon curd notes are complemented by creaminess in the mid-palate, a zesty, mineral finish, and mouthwatering natural acidity.
Why it works now:
As the evenings cool, white wines with layered texture become perfect by the fire or alongside richer autumn dishes.
As the evenings cool, white wines with layered texture become perfect by the fire or alongside richer autumn dishes.
Serving tip:
Not too cold: 10 – 14°C. Removing the bottle from the fridge an hour before serving allows the aromas, flavours and structure to show.
On the table:
- You can’t go past a crispy, rich pork belly
- Pumpkin and sage pasta
- Garlic prawn pasta
Light Reds for Warm Days & Crisp Evenings
As we transition from summer, it’s a great time to reach for lighter-style reds that don’t overwhelm and invite you to serve them lightly chilled.
2024 Sangiovese
Sangiovese grows well in cooler climates where fruit stays bright, and acidity can be preserved. Our varietal range Sangiovese is medium-bodied with red cherries and plums, tomato leaf, dried herbs, mocha, and a touch of sweet vanilla oak.
Why it works now:
Sangio’s savoury notes, firm but fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity make it very food-friendly. You can enjoy it chilled in the late-afternoon sun or at room temperature on cooler evenings.
Sangio’s savoury notes, firm but fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity make it very food-friendly. You can enjoy it chilled in the late-afternoon sun or at room temperature on cooler evenings.
Serving tip:
15–16°C. Think half an hour in the fridge or add it to your esky if you’re heading on a picnic.
15–16°C. Think half an hour in the fridge or add it to your esky if you’re heading on a picnic.
On the table:
- Late-season tomato and burrata salad
- An afternoon antipasto platter
- Tomato-based pasta
2023 Tempranillo
Sourced from a vineyard we manage near the American River, Tempranillo is always the first red variety to be harvested. In the winery, we aim to honour the ‘joven’ or young styles of Rioja, which are fresh and supple, with easy drinkability as the focus.
Expect black cherries and plums, spice, tobacco leaf, and rich, earthy savouriness, with silky tannins that balance out the acidity.
Why it works now:
Just like Sangio, our Tempranillo can be served lightly chilled with an afternoon of tapas or at room temperature in the evening.
Just like Sangio, our Tempranillo can be served lightly chilled with an afternoon of tapas or at room temperature in the evening.
Serving tip:
16–17°C. Slightly cooler than most people think.
16–17°C. Slightly cooler than most people think.
On the table:
- An afternoon tapas platter of chorizo, grilled sheep’s cheese, and olives.
- A pan of your famous Paella
- BBQ lamb skewers with a Greek salad
2023 Bark Hut Road Shiraz/Cabernet Franc
This blend has been a staple since Jacques’ first vintage on Kangaroo Island over 20 years ago, and it continues for a reason. Crafted to honour Bordeaux’s food-friendly wines, it won’t overwhelm your palate or your food.
Shiraz contributes velvety fruit and tannins. Cabernet Franc brings savoury herbal notes, structure, and super fine tannins. Expect a soft texture with a round, medium body, blackberry, plum, sarsaparilla, violet, and spice notes, with hints of French oak on the nose. It has a firm structure with natural acidity and sweet tannins.
Why it works now:
Bark Hut Road is a great companion to an afternoon barbecue and cooler-night comfort food.
Bark Hut Road is a great companion to an afternoon barbecue and cooler-night comfort food.
Serving tip:
20 minutes in the fridge if it’s a warm day. Remove just before serving.
20 minutes in the fridge if it’s a warm day. Remove just before serving.
On the table:
- You can’t go by a good steak, grilled over coals with duck fat potatoes and a rocket salad
- Make it vegetarian with Eggplant Ratatouille
- Mushroom risotto.
Why Kangaroo Island Wines Shine in This Moment
Kangaroo Island’s maritime influence moderates the extremes that can push alcohol and ripeness. It allows us to create a balance between fruit sugars and acidity, without compromise. That balance gives us:
- Natural acidity
- Moderate alcohol
- Fine tannin structure
- Wines that respond beautifully to subtle temperature adjustment
In this in-between season, the rules are reversed. Easy-drinking reds served lightly chilled; bold-textural whites allowed to shine.
