Singlefile's Small Batch Story Continues

From time to time we see small parcels of fruit that stand out in the vineyard or winery. Our Small Batch project gives us the opportunity to give these wines their own voice. It may be a barrel or two, an unusual variety, a particular clone or even a section of the vineyard that ripens differently - we don't wish to define the rules for this collection, except to say that these wines are only made in small quantities as ‘one-offs’, with the particular alchemy of fruit, vintage and fermentation never to be repeated. 

First conceived by Patrick and the winemaking team when a barrel of sauvignon blanc caught their eye, the Small Batch collection was launched in 2020 with a barrel ferment Fumé Blanc. The collection has its own label and is bottled under cork. Each bottle is hand wax-dipped by our team in Denmark, and is identified by a bottle number and barrel identifier. The ‘X’ image on the label is a reference to the chalk markings Patrick made on those first barrels of sauvignon blanc to indicate they were to be set aside for something special, and the labels are designed using Patrick's own handwriting.

The wines are made in such small quantities that this collection is set aside exclusively for our Appreciator and Collector Wine Club members (and, where quantities allow, select fine dining restaurants.) To coincide with International Chardonnay Day, we have released our seventeenth Small Batch project, the 2022 Small Batch "Old School" Chardonnay, which tips its hat to the bigger, bolder chardonnays of old. When we tasted the intense flavour of this small parcel of chardonnay, we felt it deserved special treatment. We picked slightly later than usual for a richer, more full-bodied style, and employed a wild ferment in new Burgundian oak for texture and complexity. 

We have been delighted with the recognition we have received for our Small Batch collection wines over the years, and share some highlights here with you.

2019 Singlefile Small Batch Porongurup Pinot Noir
2019 ended up being a fantastic season for pinot noir. The fruit was handpicked with approximately 40% whole-bunch pressed into a small open fermenter. Fermentation was completed in a new French oak hogshead following regular bâtonnage. The wine was aged on full yeast solids and wasn’t fined or filtered prior to bottling.
"The palate is powerful and intense, with depth and structure to match the high quality fruit." - 96 points, Barry Weinman

2019 Singlefile Small Batch Bush Vine Grenache
The fruit is from Frankland River. Wild fermentation was allowed to start the ferment before a selected yeast strain was added. The wine was pressed into French oak barrels where it stayed for nine months before bottling. We crafted a richer-style grenache with aromas of violets, dark berries and subtle spice.
"It's medium, modern and so beautifully svelte and elegant, with that classic, defining grenache style." - Runner-up 'Best of the West' wine, Ray Jordan

We already have our next few Small Batch wines in the works, and are very excited to share them when they are ready. If you are interested in accessing some of these special bottles, there has never been a better time to join the Singlefile Wine Club.