2021 Commune of Buttons ABC Estate Chardonnay

WINEMAKER: Jasper Button REGION: Adelaide Hills, SA VARIETAL: Chardonnay VITICULTURE: Organic/Biodynamic | The ‘ABC’ vineyard is 1h parcel facing due east on a gentle slope at the bottom of the valley with the sandstone shelf quite close to the surface. It was hand-harvested on the 10th of March with the bunches allowed to chill down overnight. The fruit was pressed to tank and the juice was allowed to settle overnight. Fermentation took place in aged 600L and 500L barrel with elevage for 11 months on full lees with some stirring. Bottling took place on February 10th with only 2600 bottles produced. | ABC 2021 is a leaner style than in previous years and it has apples and pears and honey, but this is balanced with savoury undertones and an earthiness from the clay and minerals in the sandstone. The acidity is present from the beginning but lingers nicely and is carried by a phenolic sandy texture. | [Commune of Buttons began with a single dream between brother and sister, to continue as second-generation growers of grapes, the custodians of a piece of land called ‘Fernglen’ 70 acres of bush paddocks and vineyards in the Adelaide hills at Basket Range. Our dream was to return to the place we had grown up in, to come home to explore new imaginings and opportunities that the soil and sun could conjure. | The reason for the name was quite obvious – the vineyards at Fernglen had always found their success in community, right from the beginning where three families were involved in the planting and tending of the vines. The harvest each year necessitated the help of friends and family to pick the grapes and we wanted to continue that idea. A community to raise a bottle. | We began organic practices at the beginning of 2012 a journey that has been long and challenging, and 6 years later we are only beginning to unravel its mysteries and find balance in the vines. It’s this though which keeps the commune healthy - a return to the earth. A cyclic process of the seasons the melody of sunrises, moon cycles, rain and growth - and making the right decision! We choose to grow our grapes and to bottle our wines at our place, because it is where the journey began and where it continues to grow.]