Lionel Richie did it, Eric Clapton did it, Sting, Iggy, Lou Reed and Bret Michaels from Poison have even done it... ah wait scratch that last one, I’m talking about people who’ve successfully gone solo!
In the South Australian world of wine one such solo venture that is definitely in the successful category with Lionel and Eric as opposed to a really poor 80’s hair metal solo project is Geoff Hardy’s Solo life. Leaving the family business in 1980, Geoff Hardy’s growing brands now include Pertaringa of McLaren Vale, K1 out of Adelaide HIlls and his Hand Crafted label using vineyards from the Limestone Coast, Langhorne Creek and the Adelaide Hills.
Perhaps out of the three the latest incarnation is producing some of the most interesting and curios varietals in Australia. With a raft of upcoming and small grown varietals like Nero d’Avola, Dolcetto, Graciano, Montepulciano, Aglianco, Fiano, Rousanne and Savagnin to name a few the Hand Crafted is nothing if not eclectic and very European in its leanings. And like so many eclectic experimental albums it can take fans a little time and a few listens, or in this case a few tastes, to truly be in tune with what they are being asked to experience. But open yourself and jump into the unknown and you’ll be duly rewarded as many of these varietals are made for a culture that is in love with food and wine as we are in Australia.
Meet the Hand Crafted guys at winedirect.com.au’s Through the Tasting Glass - Curiouser & Curiouser tasting at the national wine centre on the 10th of May 2014.
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