Bandicoot Run 'Ceramic' Chardonnay

Bandicoot Run ‘Ceramic’ Chardonnay is one of those wines that just feels alive in the glass. Handcrafted by Adriana and Al in their biodiverse, organic vineyard in Gippsland, this wine is fermented in a neutral ceramic egg slip-cast in Byron Bay, which gives it a stunning saline-mineral edge and layered texture. Imagine crisp citrus and green apple mingling with oyster-shell salinity and gentle leesy depth, all while maintaining a laser-focused acidity. It’s textural, electric, and pure, bottled without fining or filtration. Adriana and Al’s hands-off, regenerative approach, using natural yeasts, minimal sulphur, and meticulous farm care, means this is as pure an expression of place and grape as you can get.

Location: Gippsland (Longwarry), Victoria, Australia
Winemaking / Farming Techniques: Whole-bunch pressed (some foot‑stomped a day prior) into a neutral, slip‑cast ceramic egg. Wild fermentation followed by nine months on lees with no additions, unfined, unfiltered, and sulphur‑free. This minimal‑intervention process preserves textural purity and site expression
Style/Body: Light‑medium bodied; laser‑focused, textural, and mineral‑driven with vibrant energy
Notes: Clean citrus and herbal notes of lemon balm and grapefruit, layered over oyster‑shell salinity and subtle umami reductive edges. Fine phenolic grip infuses a gentle complexity, finishing long and alive
Descriptors: Lemon balm, grapefruit, oyster‑shell salinity, herbal, umami reductive note, fine phenolics, laser‑beam focus, textural, mineral, vibrant.
Pairing Suggestions: Ideal with fresh oysters, sashimi, scallops, grilled white fish, or shellfish dishes. Also pairs effortlessly with oysters topped with herbal mignonette or delicate pasta in cream and citrus sauces.