2023 Clay Pot Wines Pandora’s Amphora

“When Pandora opened the amphora gifted to her by Zeus, all the evils of the world escaped. All that remained inside was, Hope."

Pandora’s Amphora is a unique hand crafted wine made using ancient winemaking methods that are still practised in some parts of Europe today. She also represents a very personal winemaking ‘journey’ of her winemaker Glenn James. It’s all about letting go! 

Fermentation occurs using only the ‘indigenous’ yeast from the vineyard’s own terroir. Once fermentation is complete Pandora is then sealed up and her precious contents matured on the skins and seeds for around 200 days. All the flavours and many other grape derived compounds produced by the vines each season in the presence of fermentation lees (yeast and malolactic bacteria) are slowly extracted and transformed during this period to produce an aromatic, complex and textured white wine. 

Pandora is then gently basket pressed and it is only at this point that the wine has a small addition of sulphur dioxide to preserve all that has been captured. The wine is then matured on light yeast lees in stainless steel. Bottling occurs after careful racking, without any filtration or the use of fining agents, therefore the wine displays a light haze.

Technical details

Region:       Alpine Valleys, Victoria
Vineyard:    Ferraro (Vermentino) and Greenacres (Fiano)
Varieties:     Vermentino 50%; Fiano 50%
Alcohol:      13%

Reviews

"...Savoury, earthy, almond nutty in pear, preserved lemon, peach with a pinch of bitter herbs. The two Italian grape varieties work well together: vermentino offering the high floral and citrus notes, fiano bringing the waxy mouthfeel, the buttery warmth and added almond savouriness. Dry and chalky to close. A refreshing, attitude-free zone." Awarded 92 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 10 March 2026