2024 Billy Button ‘The Renegade’ Refosco

Refosco is a relatively rare variety in Australia that originates from Friuli in North East Italy. It is naturally very high in the compound rotundone, which is responsible for the pepper character in red wines, often has high levels of acidity, earthy notes and persistent tannins. It is a late ripening variety that tends to produce lighter bodied wines with lovely perfume.

Say 'ref-osk-oh'

Vintage Snapshot

A warmer vintage has resulted lovely varietal expression.

Production Notes

Harvested during the second and third weeks of March, the fruit was destemmed directly into open fermenters and inoculated with selected yeast. Ferments were gently plunged twice daily and pressed off at sugar dryness. Individual parcels were then transferred to a mix of seasoned oak and Flexcube vessels and matured on lees for 12 months before blending, crossflow filtration, and bottling in July 2025.

Tasting Notes

On the nose there is a dense spiciness that alludes to this variety’s telltale characteristics of peppercorns. Entwined with layers of dried kitchen herbs, there is a lovely savoury quality to this wine. Light to medium bodied - fine tannins and the variety’s high natural acidity combine to give a distinctly Italian persistence. Perfect pair for antipasti and salumi! 

 Optimal drinking window – mid 2026 – 2036.  Yummy now, but will evolve with an additional short maturation

 Technical details

Reviews

GOLD medal winner at the 2025 North East Victorian Wine Challenge

"A wine to put a smile on your face; a no-stress, just enjoy kind of wine with plenty of fruit, spice and a touch of savouriness. The grape's original home is northeast Italy, so no surprises it's also food friendly. The fruit shines in black cherry, red plum, dried raspberry and redcurrant with dried herbs, briar, earth and an autumnal leafiness. Arrives grounded in firm, fine tannins and leaves with a long spiciness." Awarded 93 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 03 February 2026