For February we wanted to put together a wine pack to blow off the cobwebs - to introduce you to some varietals that you may have not tried before, all ready to drink now or keep to discover a few years down the line. 

We’ve picked a few bottles from our cellar that are just off the beaten track, from three winemakers all working meticulously to bring something new & interesting to our wine lists. 

Rebula, Kabaj, Goriška Brda, Slovenia, 2021

Kabaj are based in Goriška Brda, a region regarded as Slovenia’s very own Tuscany - marked by steep hills, olive groves and picturesque vineyards.
Roughly 75% of the region focus solely on white wine production. You'll find a mix of local and international varietals here; rebula (ribolla gailla), malvazija and ravan, as well as the more familiar faces of sauvignon and chardonnay. 

All of Kabaj’s whites spend a minimum of one year in French barrels, and have some degree of skin contact.

This rebula is robust and full-bodied, full of almond and honeyed stone fruits, with green tea-like tannins and a generous salinity. 

Albana Secco, Neblina, Giovanna Madonia, Emilia Romagna, 2024

A mix of newer and older plantings of Albana from the medieval hilltop village of Bertinoro in Emilia Romagna.  

The organically farmed Madonia vineyards are populated by two native grape varieties of the region; Sangiovese Romagna and Albana. 

You may recognise the latter grape from our wine on tap menu - the skin contact Albana from Tre Monti that has become a house favourite.
This is a very different style of Albana. No skin contact, more minerality and plenty of sharp citrus. 

País, Vinista, Pedro Parra, Itata Valley, Chile, 2021

Winemaker Pedro Parra spent most of his career studying the soils of vineyards the world over, with a PHD in terroir under his belt. 

His Vinista país is made from 120 year-old bush vines found on the granitic soils of Chile’s Itata Valley. 
This is a relatively isolated region, beloved by winemakers like Parra who are dedicated to protecting the land and communicating their unique sense of time and place through bottles like this. 

A light red that doesn’t compromise on complexity; it’s rustic, with an earthy profile showcasing the distinct minerality typical of the soil, and winter fruits like cranberry and pomegranate.