2023 Billy Button ‘The Mysterious’ Malvasia

Malvasia originates from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of North East Italy. Jo was given access to this variety for the first time in 2015 and jumped at the chance to try her hand at making another relatively unknown alternative variety. Without knowing a lot about the variety, she kept winemaking to a minimum to allow the variety to full express itself. This is her sixth time making the variety and it is still a bit of a mystery to her - it does not tell her what it wants to be as loudly as other varieties. Sourced from the Mulcahy Vineyard at Porepunkah.

Say 'mal-vah-see-ah'

Vintage Snapshot

A slow and cool ripening period has resulted in concentrated flavours and complex aromatics.

Production Notes

The fruit was picked relatively low baume while it still had freshness and crisp acid structure. Harvested mid-March, once pressed, the juice was settled and split into two batches, one in stainless steel and the second to a seasoned puncheon.  Each was inoculated with a different selected yeast to promote varietal aromas and flavour. Both parcels were sulphured on completion of primary ferment and left on full yeast solids for a further 6 months with occasional battonage prior to clarification and bottling in October 2023.

Tasting Note

A complex and savoury nose perfumed with talc, oyster shell, sea spray and subtle cantaloupe.  The palate is complex and textural, an appealing mix of citrus rind, peach and a waxy quality both in flavour and mouthfeel that elicits a touch of honey and beeswax.

Technical details

Vineyard:             Mulcahy Vineyard, Porepunkah

Region:                Alpine Valleys

Alcohol:               12%

Winemaker:         Glenn James & Jo Marsh

Reviews

"One of Italy's popular white grapes is making a home in the Alpine Valleys. Shows a distinctive white floral, honeysuckle, apricot, citrus-skin scent. Translates into an attractive, gently savoury citrus-and-stone-fruit-defined palate, with a slight bitter-green-almond edge to close." Awarded 90 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 12 August 2025