Producer James Thomas has two wine labels: Heroes and Anti-Hero. The Heroes label is made with fruit from his organic farm in Deans Marsh in the Otway Hinterlands, while the Anti-Hero label is used for the wine made from purchased fruit, mostly from other Geelong vineyards. Originally from the UK, James moved to Australia in 2004 to study a postgraduate degree in Oenology at La Trobe. Afterward, he worked as assistant winemaker at Bannockburn Vineyards and then as head winemaker at Clyde Park. He then returned to Cornwall to set up a specialist sparkling house called Knightor Winery. However, Geelong won his heart in the end and he moved back to set up his vineyard and start his own label Heroes in 2014. James is deeply passionate about organic farming, minimal interventionist winemaking, and striving for quality, all traits that shine through in his pure, uncomplicated, yet captivating wines. Tasting Note Pinot Meunier is best known for being one of the three main varieties included in the production of Champagne, but in Australia, it's becoming increasingly common to see it as a stand-alone wine. It's light, bright, and easy-going—what's not to love? The fruit for this wine comes from Cobboboonee Vineyard in Henty, near the Vic/SA border. The wine was fermented with a small portion as whole bunches and then matured in old French hogheads. Flavours of tart red fruit like cranberry, sour cherry and some pretty floral notes, sensational tension and length, delicious.
