tripe.Iscariot

This has to be the most way-out winery name of the century. It prompted me (James) to email South African–born and trained winemaker/owner Remi Guise asking to explain its derivation and/or meaning. He courteously responded with a reference to Judas as ‘the greatest black sheep of all time’, and a non-specific explanation of ‘tripe’ as ‘challenging in style’. He added, ‘I hope this sheds some light, or dark, on the brand.' The wines provide a better answer, managing to successfully harness highly unusual techniques at various points of their elevage. His day job as winemaker at Naturaliste Vintners, the large Margaret River contract winemaking venture of Bruce Dukes, provides the technical grounding, allowing him to throw the ‘how to’ manual out of the window when the urge arises. -JAMES HALLIDAY