Wildman Wine, Astro Bunny Pét-Nat, South Australia, Australia, 2023

Producer Profile

Wildman Wine leads the charge of fun fresh and fault free Australian Pet-Nat, driven by the maverick spirit of founder and winemaker, Tim Wildman MW.

The production has evolved dramatically since the first vintage in 2014. Fruit, predominantly Nero d'Avola and Zibbibo, are now sourced from the top-quality regions of Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale thanks to a growing network of contacts, with guest appearances from other Italian varietals, Arneis and Fiano. The charmingly named Astro Bunny and Piggy Pop have won over drinkers and journalists across the globe with their vibrant, complex yet easy-going characters.

Viticulture

The last couple of vintages in South Australia was cooler than average, with no summer days over 40 degrees (104F) which allowed the fruit to ripen slowly and achieve maximum flavour ripeness without losing freshness or acidity.

Winemaking

The whites were picked early to retain acidity and obtain lower alcohol levels, with the Fiano and Pecorino picked the earliest followed by the aromatic varieties and reds a few weeks later.

Oak Ageing

No oak ageing

Tasting Note

The 2023 vintage represents 10 years of Astro Bunny (first vintage 2014) and they couldn’t be happier with the result. The cooler conditions of the 2023 vintage, with the fruit ripening on average about two weeks later than normal, were ideal for producing both freshness and fruit power. The blend is the classic Bunny Italian trifecta of Adelaide Hills for early picked whites (Arneis), McLaren Vale for riper Nero d’Avola and the Riverland for our old vine Zibibbo (vineyard planted in 1962). They also added some biodynamic certified Fiano from McLaren Vale this year which brings some lovely texture and mouthfeel. The colour is a peachy, hazy, lava lamp carrot colour, the aromas explosive with white peach, tangerine and cut lime. The bubbles are soft and more foamy not aggressively fizzy, with the classic Astro Bunny flavours of peach and nectarine with a smashable watermelon wetness providing great gluggability. She's fun! Tim was asked to describe the wines in three words recently and I said “Fun, fruity and fault-free” (well maybe that’s four). To that you could add foaming, frothy, fresh and fantastic.

Food Matching

Chill down, shake well before opening, and serve with Seafood and shellfish, salads, fresh fruit.