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Description
In the Altair Sparkling Rosé you can see the love of this wine style from husband and wife winemaking partners, Kate & Hamish Laurie. Continuing a five-generation winemaking tradition, the couple crafts each bottle at their Longwood winery in the Adelaide Hills using Méthode Traditionnelle techniques. Kate’s love for all things French led her to train in Champagne, and that influence shines through in every aspect of this wine. Meanwhile, Hamish, with a family history rooted deep in South Australia's wine industry, takes on roles from overseeing operations to being the chief tractor driver and blending partner – embodying a hands-on spirit that keeps Deviation Road running.
The 2021 base vintage for the Altair Sparkling Rosé is sourced from high-altitude sites in the Lenswood and Piccadilly Valley regions, a perfect setting for slow-ripening Pinot Noir, Meunier, and Chardonnay. Pinot Noir and Meunier provide structure and ripe red fruit, while Chardonnay adds finesse and a citrus lift. Blended with a small percentage of multi-vintage reserve wines, the Altair boasts flavours of peach, strawberry, and grapefruit, balanced by a creamy mousse.
Kate and Hamish and their team hand-pick every bunch, with whole-bunch pressing for fermentation in tanks. The pale pink hue of the rosé is achieved by blending the clear base with a small portion of red wine fermented separately. After tirage, each bottle is left for an extended second ferment, hand-riddled and disgorged in small batches. A low dosage rounds out the wine’s texture, highlighting its natural freshness and elegance.
Deviation Road’s approach is as much about passion as it is about precision. The Altair Sparkling Rosé shines as a reflection of Kate's French training and Hamish’s deep family ties to the region. Whether enjoyed with sashimi, salmon, or even chilli prawns, it’s a wine that showcases Adelaide Hills at its best – vibrant, refined, and deeply rooted in tradition.
