How about small production wines?

Are you caught in the rhythm of making safe, autopilot decisions, consistently opting for the comfort of the same familiar wines? As creatures of habit, our wine preferences can easily gravitate toward a limited and well-trodden selection. Choosing to break free from the familiar is a rewarding journey, especially when approached with a beginner’s mindset - and especially within the joyful world of wine!

Venturing beyond the beaten path to discover boutique, authentic wines

In the wide world of wine, it’s easy to be steered toward big-name brands—the familiar labels that have etched themselves into our consciousness. While these established houses offer consistency and heritage, there's a massive other world waiting to be discovered—one that lures the curious adventure seekers towards one-of-a-kind, authentic wines from small wineries.

What makes small production wines special?

For starters, they’re crafted using hand picked grapes from small vineyards that are run by lean, tight-knit teams. When visiting these wineries, you’re enveloped in an intimate and charming setting, greeted with sincere hospitality and captivated by storytelling from passionate winemakers.

But there’s so much more when it comes to farming, winemaking and what you experience when you taste these wines.

The heart and soul of small production wines lies in the meticulous dedication of the winemakers. Unlike their large-scale counterparts, these winemakers craft their wines with a deep level intimacy—with respect and connection to the environment, land and their vines.

These winemakers:

• Experiment and innovate, showcasing individuality and personality
• Embrace vintage variation, liberated from the constraints of a formulaic, mass production approach
• Craft with environmental respect, often adopting organic or biodynamic farming practices
• Prioritise quality over quantity, and work with lower yields, free from annual commercial sales targets
• Prioritise and invest in vineyard and vine health, oftentimes removing or minimising any reliance on human intervention at the winemaking stage

The unlimited passion and creativity of these winemakers results in wines that exude character, offering an authentic expression of a specific terroir, time and place, which cannot be replicated en masse.

And…. because of their small production quantities, they’re not widely accessible on a global scale.

Why you should explore the world of small production wines

While there are many reasons to branch out and explore small production wines, here are just a few:

• You can explore their nuances and complexities, encouraging a deeper engagement with your senses whilst furthering your appreciation for the art of winemaking
• You can enjoy high quality wine offered at excellent value for money
• You will support small businesses - independent wineries run by real people, not boards or corporate giants (just because they don't have substantial marketing budgets to be familiar, doesn’t mean they’re not worthy of exploring!)

So the next time you shop for wine, venture off the beaten path and explore a new grape, region or winemaker and experience the charm and intimacy of small production wines. To explore our range, click here