A textural sparkling that is all about the bubbles and 'co', that is, great company! The nose is a little toasty, but delicate. The bubbles are explosive here, with loads of richness, and a wildly unexpected fruit spectrum of summer honey with warm fresh butter on toast. It's made from mainly Chardonnay, with Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc thrown in. The wine swirls around with stone fruit, pears, and even rock melon. This is one textured sparkling wine that will bring us joy throughout the years, and may live its life like a candle in the wind.

A new project sparkling from two mates Jason Searle & Bill Downie. Bubbles & Co. is only in its infancy, and this is their second wine. Two adventurous winemakers, who are not afraid to play with the unconventional varieties, and blend across various regions. You might have heard of Bill Downie, who shot to 'wine-cool' fame with his ethereal take on Pinot Noir, expressing regions throughout Victoria. Before his own Pinots became so highly sought after, Bill cut his teeth at De Bortoli in the Yarra, where despite being reasonably 'unqualified', he was promoted purely on his philosophical take and love for Pinot Noir, obsessing himself tasting the great wines of Burgundy. Pinot Noir was Bill's calling that he simply couldn't shake, and so, 'William Downie' Pinot Noirs were born (and continue to be made every year). So, there's one grape variety done, and with so much talent and wine know-how, Bill then started 'Save Our Souls', and that's where you'll find Jason Searle, and Bubbles & Co. The two friends met in the vineyard of Bass Phillip in the mid-noughties, bonding over a common love for a laugh and a great wine. They don't make 'picture perfect' squeaky clean wines - it's all about the grapes, not about awards or accolades. Plus nothing is added to their wine up until bottling, so sure, it's vegan, it's whatever you want to call it, but it's all about drinkability. Considered 'natural' by many, because they aren't heavy-handed on such 'adds' if ever, at all... but they won't tell you that. Playing with the weird and wonderful, such as extended skin-contact whites, a salty Chardonnay to their delicious, yet unusually quaffable Sagrantino. These guys aren't afraid to splash out delicious, easy and playful wines.