Word Play

Wordplay Wines is the side project of Seppeltsfield winemakers Matthew Pick and Fiona Donald. Their compact range consists of just 1500 bottles each of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon from their 4ha Jenke Road Block vineyard planted in 1999 in Marananga, and 1100 bottles of Yarra Valley Pinot Noir. This little operation is quite a contrast to their day jobs, where they have enjoyed long and varied careers making wines for larger brands including Hardys, Barossa Valley Estate, Penfolds, Château Reynella, Leasingham, Leo Buring and Yalumba. First released in 2018, their reds are generous, characterful and age-worthy.  -TYSON STELZER