2024 Billy Button ‘The Sojourner’ Petit Verdot

Petit Verdot originates from Bordeaux and historically is most often associated with the famous blends of this region.  The variety’s dense colour, prominent tannins and lifted aromatics make it an attractive blending component with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.  In recent years Petit Verdot is a variety that is gaining traction as a standalone variety in warmer regions.

This is a new variety for Billy Button, and unfortunately will probably be our only release as the vineyard has since been removed. We really like this wine. It has lovely perfume with violets and blue fruits. The variety is known for its big tannin structure however the cooler climate here has tempered them to produce a more elegant style. This wine will continue to mature over the next 5 - 10 years.

Sourced from the recently decommissioned Bungamero vineyard this wine is a onetime only proposition as the vines are no longer in the ground.  With only 100 dozen made, once it’s gone it’s gone – hence its name “The Sojourner”.

Expect a full-bodied red.  Inky dense colour and bold tannins.  Think dark fruits – blackberries, black cherry and plums, laced with aromatics of violets and spice.

Say 'peh-tee vehr-doh'

Vintage Snapshot

Picked towards the end of March the fruit benefited from some warmer weather during ripening produced dense and ripe flavours.

Production Notes

Fruit was destemmed and gently crushed to small open fermenters, where it was fermented using selected yeast. The caps were gently plunged twice daily until ferment was complete.  The wine was then held on skins for a further week before pressing and transfer to Flexcube for malolactic fermentation and maturation. Bottled July 2025.

Tasting Notes

Medium red and quite dense in appearance, lifted floral aromas of violets and lilac are forefront making this a very pretty wine.  The palate is rich and dense with bright acidity.  Juicy red plums combine with the variety’s trademark tannins and bestow a structured and robust wine with great aging potential.

Optimal Drinking Window – now to 2035

Technical details

Reviews

"The Sojourner name refers to 'visitors' to the Billy Button range and, in this case, it is a short-lived visit. The petit verdot vines have now been pulled out. Brings a sense of immediate drinkability to this high-tannin grape variety, a real plus in winemaking prowess, while promoting ripe dark fruits, spice and pretty florals. Dark berries to the fore in loganberry, blackberry, plum. They run long and smooth across the palate, aided by sage, dried herbs, violet and a sweet earthiness. Comes together nicely with a sense of elegance held tight in ripe tannins." Awarded 92 points, Halliday Wine Companion, Jeni Port - Published 03 February 2026