Sparkling Pinot Noir | Pinot Gris | Chardonnay | Shiraz | Desert Wine

There’s a philosophical undertone to my tasting with Alex, owner and winemaker of the Other Right Co.  We chat in the cool shade of the Hills at his converted shed-winery that he shares with another up and coming winemaker.  Just as he did with Jauma, when he started out.  The power of vision, and no doubt a lot of hard work, converted the shed into the winery it is today and its clear community permeates every facet of the process, with some pallets on the way out for a friend to borrow as we chat.

Russian born but having spent a long time in Tel Aviv Alex has an open and expansive mind clearly informed by his varied and interesting background.  Alex arrived in the Hills as the ‘natural’ scene was kicking off.  He’s seen it evolve to become more efficient, and encompass more people who he believes are more scrupulous in their philosophies, more thoughtful and more organic.  Though Alex pains to point out the two are not connected; you can be organic without being thoughtful, and thoughtful without being organic.

For Alex the constant battle in farming is between soul and income, with the former being the guiding light and the latter the day job.  A wine scientist by day and husband, father and winemaker by night I ask how much the day job influences his winemaking?  Science is all about control, but in winemaking he says there’s little control.  Undoubtedly his day job would influence him subconsciously, as there’s just so many levers that affect intuition but more and more he’s relying on instinct, with less and less regret.

Alex is committed to practicing what he preaches; which has required tough decisions along the way.  But transparency is key and, as is evident in his newest wine Love Potion, so is love for what you do.  Love Potion was inspired by the marriage equality postal survey held in 2017, but Alex says loving those you work with is important too.  During the bush fires he stayed true to his growers, who have evolved with him on this journey, and used his winemaking vision to allow for making good wine despite potential risks associated with smoke damage to grapes.  Risks taken were worth it, as the growers' livelihood was at stake.

Alex’s outlook on life is insightful and inspiring.  It’s one of our more rustic offers, but no less impactful and enjoyable.

Time from Adelaide | 20 minutes

Wine RRP | $28 - $60

#naturalwinemaking

A tasting with Alex is $45 per person. He is available weekdays after work and weekends. Book here.