This year marked Finestro's zippy entrance into the wine subscription space. For those playing along at home, Finestro is not your traditional wine store. In fact, we're not really even a store. We're a place where you can browse and buy boutique wine directly from the people who make it. We're like the promoters of your favourite nightclub, full of excellent wine.
So, while you can dance about Finestro with your thumbs or fingertips, perusing a region and selecting wines from a boutique, independent producer you've just fallen madly in love with, and swiftly get it shipped to your house, we wanted to cater for those loud folk at the back, constantly asking for a box of wine delivered to their house that they didn't have to coordinate themselves. 'But make it good wine,' they said! We, of course, replied in the affirmative.
The Finestro difference has always been simple: we connect people who like wine directly with the people who make it. We don't touch the product. We don't buy wine at wholesale prices from our producers to on sell. And we don't waste money on excessive transporting, warehousing and the storing of wine, either; a cost which is usually passed onto you, the consumer.
The fact that we don't have a warehouse full of wine that we can bundle into boxes made the constant requests for a wine subscription option slightly interesting. But, here at Finestro, we like a wine challenge.
Enter, Just a splash (and Just a splash more for the very thirsty). A wine subscription focused on sharing boutique fine wine, and the winemaking techniques, journey and stories from one producer, per shipment.
Every shipment sent to subscribers is a testament to a single maker’s passion, a deep dive into a single or multiple regions, and an invitation to join a sustainable wine movement. With six shipments a year, subscribers get to know six producers and their wines pretty well.
So far this year, we've had four wine shipments sent from producers to Finestro subscribers, with two more to go. Here's a little taste of what was on offer, in case you're thinking about joining the movement. The stories you read here are not just about what’s in the bottle—they’re about the heart and soul behind it.
For our first delivery of the year, we were transported to the sun-drenched valleys of Victoria, where we discovered the artistry of James Scarcebrook of Vino Intrepido. His approach, inspired by his travels in Italy, is to find regions in Australia that have a strong similarity to their Italian counterparts. James believes that by picking fruit at the right place, at the right time and not messing things up at the winery, you can make truly honest and drinkable wines.
The shipment, a diverse lineup of Italian varietals, was a masterclass in approachable and surprising wines. And, in our humble opinion, James is also a master of wine naming. Take, for example the story of his 'Migrating Coconuts' Montepulciano, a tribute to his son, Monty, and a nod to the comedy group Monty Python, who's iconic opening scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail features coconuts, King Arthur and some 'horse riding.' You know the one.
To shop Vino Intrepido wines click here.
Our second shipment brought us to the picturesque Southern Highlands of New South Wales, where we explored the cool-climate, single-estate wines of Marco Panizzutti from St. Maur Southern Highlands Estate . This family-owned operation is a perfect example of what it means to be a "steward of the land." Their dedication to sustainable winemaking shines through in every glass, with their Suffolk sheep grazing the vineyards in winter and the entire estate running on solar energy.
Among other varietals, this delivery showcased their signature Lot 41 Pinot Noir and Pinot Noir Rosé, two wines that beautifully capture the typical fruit characters of a premium cool-climate wine. Vintage after vintage, Marco's wines are a pleasure to drink.
To shop St. Maur Estate wines click here.
As autumn deepened, we travelled to the renowned Coonawarra region to celebrate the family legacy of Sam Brand and his label, Brand & Sons Wines Coonawarra. Sam, a fourth-generation vigneron, honours his family's winemaking history, which dates back to 1965, by creating a new line up of labels that tell "the untold stories of the region in an authentic and original way."
This shipment featured a diverse lineup that included the award-winning 'Old Town' Single Vineyard Shiraz and the 'Family Reserve' Cabernets, a blend that pays homage to the family's special occasions. These small-batch, premium wines are iconic and undoubtably host the unique flavors of Coonawarra, demonstrated by exceptional winemaking experience.
To shop Brand & Sons Wines Coonawarra wines click here.
For our winter delivery, we partnered with Nick Spencer Wines, a small family-owned business nestled in the high country of New South Wales. Winemaker Nick Spencer, a recipient of the prestigious Jimmy Watson Trophy, has a winemaking philosophy that is a testament to both tradition and innovation. His passion is for making wines that "speak clearly and uniquely to the place they are grown."
This collection showcased a fascinating range of wines, from the Light Dry Red, a modern homage to the Australian 'Burgundies' of the 50s and 60s, to his P.A.R. Wines Sangiovese, a variety better suited to our changing climate. This delivery was a journey into the future of Australian winemaking, exploring new ideas and sustainable practices that are creating truly exceptional wines.
To shop Nick Spencer Wines click here.
With two more dispatches to round out the year, we're excited to continue sharing the Finestro sustainable wine movement that connects people who like wine directly with people who make wine. No faff, just brilliant winemaking, and excellent boutique wine for what it's worth.
The subscription season is always open. It's never too late to join! To get in on the fine wine fun, just visit our subscriptions page.
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