New South Wales winery, Topper’s Mountain, has undertaken a full brand refresh and restructure of its small-batch portfolio into three new ranges – Seeker, Finder, and Keeper – alongside a releasing a new varietal in an Australian first.
The New England winery has been a pioneer of New South Wales winemaking since its first established vineyard plantings in 2000. Topper’s Mountain owner and vigneron, Mark Kirkby, showcases the region’s potential for alternative wine varieties that best suit the local region, climate and terroir.
These rare and emerging wine varieties are showcased across the three new ranges, including Australia’s only known plantings of Tempranillo Blanco – featuring in the company’s latest release, Topper’s Mountain Keeper Tempranillo Blanco 2023. This marks the first time this alternative variety has been produced in Australia.
“Since day one, I’ve experimented with alternative wine varieties that best suit the high altitude, cool climate and rich, red volcanic ash soils,” said Kirkby.
“It’s been a long search, but one that’s shown the importance of variety selection and site to wine quality.”
Portfolio restructure
Seeker is Topper’s Mountain’s new introductory range, including a Seeker White, Seeker Pink and Seeker Red with the various varietals becoming an evolving bricolage of each vintage.
The new Finder range highlights the definitive wine style imparted by the unique site of Topper’s Mountain – currently including a Gewurztraminer, a Nebbiolo Extra Brut Rosé, a Manseng, and a Touriga & Tintas red blend.
Topper’s Mountain’s Keeper range is the peak of Topper’s Mountain’s craft, showcasing rare varieties like the Tempranillo Blanco, and other alternatives like Viognier & Nebbiolo. Each bottle is uniquely numbered, highlighting the exclusivity and rarity of each release.
The new brand identity and range structure has been designed by Adelaide-based design and brand agency, Parallax.
“The new look brings to life the pioneering spirit of the New England region and Topper’s Mountain with the range definition giving a playful sense of discovery across the range. We’re excited to share the new look and our range of wines with guests who visit our cellar door and as we roll it out to the trade,” said Kirkby.
The new Topper’s Mountain Keeper Tempranillo Blanco 2023 is now available online at toppers.com.au for RRP $47.00, alongside other wines in the Seeker, Finder and Keeper ranges. The wines will be widely available across select independent bottle shops soon.
