Sittella Swan Valley Verdelho 2025

Awards

92 Points – Ray Jordan
“This is a more controlled and refined expression of the verdelho from the Swan Valley. The aromas have a floral, light stone fruit, and citrus edge. The palate is soft, yet with a fine, lively acidity that carries through to the finish. This is not a big fruit bomb, but there is flavour within, and it drives forward with precision and energy.”

Tasting Notes

• Aromatics
  Ripe guava, passionfruit and lemon zest lead the way, supported by floral notes of jasmine and honeysuckle. Hints of light stone fruit and citrus blossom add lift and elegance.
• Palate
  Bright and layered with a complex mix of tropical fruits and citrus. The mouthfeel is fresh and lively, with a talc like acidity that balances the ripe fruit characters and keeps the wine focused and precise.
• Finish
  Dry, zesty and persistent, with citrus, floral and tropical notes lingering on a long, refreshing finish.

Viticulture and Winemaking

• Region: Swan Valley, Western Australia

• Vineyard: Estate block, inaugural Berns family Verdelho planting (1993)

• Variety: 100 percent Verdelho

• Soil Type: Classic Houghton’s sands over clay and loam, renowned for quality white wines

Winemaking

• Hand picked fruit for maximum freshness and selection

• Whole bunch pressed directly to stainless steel

• Fermentation at no more than 15 degrees Celsius for a long, slow, cool ferment

• No oak, no residual sugar – a pure, dry and expressive Verdelho

• Focus on preserving varietal aromatics and the bright, layered mouthfeel typical of the grape

Technical Details

• Alcohol: 13.5 percent

• pH: 3.34

• TA: 7.28 g per litre

• Residual Sugar: 0.0 g per litre

• Drink: Now to 2035

Serving and Cellaring ❄️

• Serve: 8 to 10 degrees for maximum freshness and aromatics

• Cellaring:

  • Delicious now for its vibrant fruit and floral lift

  • Will age beautifully to 2035, gaining honeyed, toasty and nutty complexity while retaining its core of citrus and acid line

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Grilled prawns with lemon, garlic and herbs

• Thai green curry with chicken or prawns

• Goat’s cheese with olives and marinated feta

• Salt and pepper squid with lime

• Mediterranean sharing plates with cured meats and soft cheeses

FAQ 🧐

Is it sweet like some Verdelho styles?
No. This is a dry Verdelho with 0.0 g per litre residual sugar, so you get ripe fruit flavour without sweetness.

What makes Swan Valley Verdelho special?
The warm climate and classic Houghton’s sands soils suit Verdelho perfectly, giving intense aromatics, ripe flavour and a naturally bright acid line.

Can I age it or should I drink it young?
You can absolutely age it. It is delicious young, but the structure, acidity and estate vine pedigree mean it will develop real complexity over the next decade.

A refined, estate grown Swan Valley Verdelho that honours the region’s history while showing a fresher, more poised modern style. 🍋🍈