⏱ 1 min read
The Short Version
Australian wine innovators are breathing regenerative life into a 150-year-old Umbrian estate. Their Stesso Stesso Rosso balances bright, low-intervention fruit with a sophisticated savory grip, delivering a 92-point biodynamic red that trades heavy extraction for pure, elegant movement.
In This Article
James Hird and Annie Conley traded Australia for the hills of Todi to breathe new life into Beulah Violetta, a 150-year-old estate. Hird, a co-founder of Sydney’s Rootstock natural wine festival, and Conley, a former food and travel writer, have pivoted toward regenerative agriculture to manage ten hectares of vines, olive groves, and wheat fields. Their winemaking project, Stesso Stesso, focuses on low-intervention methods that prioritize the land’s inherent character.
The palate is pure and fresh with nicely proportioned raspberry and cherry fruit.
A blend of regional tradition
The 2024 Beulah Violetta Rosso is a thoughtful expression of the Umbrian landscape, blending Merlot, Sangiovese, and Sagrantino. By fermenting these varieties in stainless steel and keeping sulfite additions minimal, the producers allow the primary fruit characteristics to remain front and center. At 12.5% alcohol, the wine avoids heavy extraction, opting instead for a profile defined by clarity and movement.
On the nose, the wine presents vivid floral notes alongside bright berry, cherry, and plum aromas. The palate is pure and fresh with nicely proportioned raspberry and cherry fruit. This freshness is balanced by a subtle spiciness and a supple green note that prevents the fruit from feeling overly simple or sweet.
Texture and savory depth
While the initial impression is one of brightness, the wine possesses enough structure to satisfy more serious drinkers. It offers a notable generosity of fruit paired with a distinct savoury grip. Subtle layers of liquorice and a hint of tar emerge on the finish, adding complexity to what could otherwise be a straightforward red.
This balance makes it an impressive entry into the world of biodynamic Italian reds. With a score of 92/100, the release is positioned as a high-quality option for those seeking low-intervention wines that don’t sacrifice elegance for quirkiness. Typically retailing at £20.50 through independents via Les Caves de Pyrene, it represents a sophisticated window into Stesso Stesso’s ambitious Umbrian project.
Does the move toward regenerative farming change how you value the price point of natural wines?
Questions & Answers
What varieties are used in the Beulah Violetta Rosso?
The Beulah Violetta Rosso is a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, and Sagrantino grapes. This combination is designed to provide a thoughtful expression of the unique Umbrian landscape. By fermenting these specific varieties in stainless steel and keeping sulfite additions to a minimum, the producers ensure that the primary fruit characteristics remain the central focus of the wine. The resulting profile is characterized by clarity and movement rather than heavy extraction.
How would you describe the flavor profile of Stesso Stesso wines?
Stesso Stesso wines feature a profile defined by bright fruit aromas and a fresh, pure palate. On the nose, drinkers can expect vivid floral notes alongside bright berry, cherry, and plum scents. The palate offers well-proportioned raspberry and cherry fruit balanced by subtle spiciness and a supple green note. This complexity is further enhanced on the finish by savory layers of liquorice and a hint of tar, providing depth to the bright fruit.
Who are the founders of the Stesso Stesso winemaking project?
The Stesso Stesso project was founded by James Hird and Annie Conley. Hird is a co-founder of the Rootstock natural wine festival in Sydney, while Conley previously worked as a food and travel writer. Together, they moved from Australia to the hills of Todi to revitalize the 150-year-old Beulah Violetta estate. Their work focuses on managing ten hectares of vines, wheat fields, and olive groves through the use of regenerative agriculture.
Where can you purchase the Beulah Violetta Rosso?
You can typically purchase the Beulah Violetta Rosso through independent wine retailers via Les Caves de Pyrene. The wine generally retails for approximately £20.50. This specific release has earned a high quality score of 92/100, making it a sophisticated option for enthusiasts of low-intervention Italian reds. It serves as an accessible way to experience the ambitious biodynamic winemaking project currently being developed in the Umbrian region.
Originally reported by Wine Anorak.
