2024 Billy Button ‘The Feisty’ Friulano
Originating from Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Northeast Italy, Friulano (also known as Sauvignon Vert or Sauvignonasse) first caught Jo’s attention in 2013 while working at Feathertop. Struck by its intense flavour and remarkable texture, she knew immediately it was a variety she wanted to explore further.
Say 'free-ew-lah-no'
Vintage Snapshot
A warm season, tempered by the naturally cooler conditions of this incredibly cold site has delivered a wine with excellent varietal expression. A flawless vintage delivered perfectly ripe fruit from this Whitlands site, typically picked late in the season. Ideal conditions this year meant no compromises—perfect ripeness and balance. The result is a complex, age-worthy wine that reflects over a decade of refining this variety.
Production Notes
Handpicked fruit was immediately chilled to protect delicate aromatics and preserve freshness. Whole bunches underwent gentle pressing to stainless steel, with the juice settled overnight before racking into multiple small parcels. Fermentation was carried out in Flexcubes and mature oak vessels using selected yeast strains for optimal expression. Post-fermentation, the wine was sulphured and matured on lees with occasional bâtonnage to enhance texture and complexity. Bottled January 2025.
Glenn and I have a longstanding love–hate relationship with this variety. It can be notoriously difficult to get right, but when everything falls into place, the results are remarkable. This vintage represents the culmination of more than a decade of dedication—ten-plus years spent refining our approach to truly understand and express this variety at its best.
Tasting Notes
Complex aromas exuding exotic tropical fruits. Think green banana and custard apple, herbal highlights of fresh cut thyme and an attractive spice reminiscent of ginger skin. The palate has a lovely intensity. Citrus and ginger, with a twine of nettle and wild green herbs. It is weighted, savoury, and textured. With tightly wound acid, this wine will continue to reveal its personality with a couple of years maturation.
Optimal Drinking Window – 2027 to 2030. This is an interesting wine to watch as it ages.
Technical details
Reviews
SILVER medal winner at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show (AAVWS)
"Such excellent intensity to the fruit. Such excellent push through the finish. Lemongrass, grapefruit pulp, citrus and slate characters run energetically through the palate here, pleasing as they go and whetting the appetite for more. Yes please." Awarded 93 points, The Winefront, Campbell Mattinson - Posted on 26 May 2026
"A grape variety on the rise, such is its inviting herbal edge and ability to provide a rich texture and/or savouriness. The maker looks to a mix of ripe pear, stone fruit and citrus with a gentle thread of herbs and ginger married to a warm middle-palate smoothness. Bright acidity will keep it going for some short-term ageing." Awarded 93 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 19 May 2025