Dan Graham, whose new releases have just hit the UK, is a young winemaker making waves in the Australian wine industry with his innovative and refreshing approach. Named the People's Choice Winemaker of the Year last year by the Young Gun of Wine awards, his Sigurd Wines have been something of the sleeper hit of our Australian wine portfolio in recent times.

Dan's wines are made with minimal intervention, using natural yeasts and no fining or filtration. The result is wines that are full of flavor and character, with a sense of freshness and purity that was often lacking in Australian wines, particularly from his surroundings in the Barossa Valley.

In keeping with the modern approach, alongside the traditional Shiraz, Dan deploys a variety of grapes across his wines, including radical alternatives such as Lagrein. He sources grapes from both well-known and lesser-known pockets, including some vineyards he leases and manages organically, and he is always experimenting with new techniques and varieties - especially in his Red Blend (new 2021 vintage has just landed) and White Blend.

One of the things that sets Dan's wines apart is his use of whole bunch fermentation. This technique involves fermenting the grapes with their stems still attached, which gives the wines a more rustic and earthy character. Then there is the skin contact he uses for some of his whites, which adds another layer of complexity and flavour.

The Sigurd wines might not be for everyone. They are not necessarily big, bold and jammy, like many traditional wines from the Barossa especially. Instead, they are subtle and elegant, with a focus on freshness and purity of fruit. If you are looking for wines that are true departures from the norm, then Dan's wines are definitely worth a try

The Itata Valley is a hidden gem in Chile's winemaking world. Located 400 kilometers south of Santiago, this region is home to some of the oldest vines in the country. And while Itata is known for its small, family-owned wineries, there's one producer that stands out from the rest: Itata Paraíso.

Itata Paraíso is a family-run winery that has been in operation since 1952. The current winemaker, Sebastian Ramirez, is the grandson of the winery's founder, Joaquim Ramirez. Joaquim was a lottery winner, and he used the proceeds of his second win (yes second!) to purchase the land that Itata Paraíso now calls home.

Sebastian is committed to keeping the family tradition alive. He only employs local people, and he uses traditional methods to produce his wines. The vines at Itata Paraíso are ungrafted, and some of them are over 200 years old. The grapes are harvested by hand, and the wines are fermented with native yeasts.

Itata Paraíso produces a small quantity of wine each year, just 10,000 bottles. The wines are made in an old adobe winery building, which helps to control the temperature naturally. The wines are aged in old French oak barrels, and they are full of character and flavour.

If you're looking for a unique and delicious Chilean wine, then you need to try Itata Paraíso. These wines are made with love and care, and they showcase the best of what the Itata Valley has to offer.

Here are some of the things that make Itata Paraíso wines so special:

• Old vines: The vines at Itata Paraíso are some of the oldest in Chile. This gives the wines a unique flavour profile that is hard to find anywhere else.
• Minimal intervention: Itata Paraíso wines are made with minimal intervention. This means that the wines are not manipulated in any way, which allows the natural flavours of their heritage grape varieties to shine through.
• Family-owned and operated: Itata Paraíso is a family-owned and operated winery. This means that the wines are made with love and care, and that the family is committed to maintaining the traditions of the historic Portezuelo wine region.

If you're looking for a delicious and unique Chilean wine, then you need to try Itata Paraíso, whose wines showcase the best of what the Itata Valley has to offer.