2024 Billy Button ‘The Rustic’ Sangiovese

Sangiovese is the most widely planted variety in Italy, in recent years superior clonal material has been imported into Australia to elevate the quality of the Australian version. The fruit for this wine was sourced from two sites.  Bungamero vineyard at Whorouly South on the western edge of the Alpine Valleys region. The Bungamero vineyard, owned and operated by Tim and Mark Walpole, is a mixture of MAT6 and MAT7 clones.  The second component was sourced from the Ferraro vineyard in Myrtleford.

Say 'san-gee-oh-vay-see'

Vintage Snapshot

A warmer year has resulted in a lovely expressive wine with outstanding varietal characters.

Production Notes

A blend of predominantly Bungamero and Conmara Vineyards, different parcels were harvested from mid-March through to mid-April.  All fruit was machine harvested and crushed directly to open fermenters where it was inoculated with a selected red wine yeast.  Ferments were gently plunged twice daily and once ferment was complete separate batches were pressed to Flexcube for maturation on lees for 12 months. The parcels were then blended, crossflow filtered and bottled in July 2025.

Tasting Notes

Aromas of juicy sour cherry and a hint of savoury dried herbs, with an earthy edge. Bright and lively on the palate, with that same cherry fruit supported by a finely textured tannin frame.

Optimal Drinking Window – now until 2035

Best Alternative Red Wine TROPHY at the 2025 North East Victorian Wine Challenge

Best Alpine Valleys Wine TROPHY at the 2025 North East Victorian Wine Challenge

TOP GOLD at the 2025 North East Victorian Wine Challenge

"This wine is served with a strong sense of irony: having won two trophies at the '25 North East Vic Wine Challenge, the vineyard which supplied two thirds of the fruit for the wine has just been pulled out. The '24 vintage brings added weight and depth but, as always, the integrity of the fruit shines. Varietally strong in black cherry, plum, black berries, earth, dried flowers and thyme, it is enlivened by a splash of peppery spice and rose petal. Supple, ripe and creamy. Easy to love now but with some staying power, too." Awarded 95 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 03 February 2026