Best In Collective
Discover the pinnacle of Australian winemaking with Best in Collective – one of Australia's longest-running and most beloved wine programs.
Each season, our expert tasting panel carefully selects a standout wine to be crowned as the Best in Collective winner – a true reflection of the best Australian winemaking has to offer.
Four quarterly wine cases showcasing the finest new-release Australian wines
Each winning wine must be an equivalent of a Gold Medal standard
Exclusive to The Wine Collective: you'll not find it anywhere else!
Includes tasting notes, recipes, video interviews, event invites, competitions and more
Your Best In Collective winner will confidently cellar between 4-10 years.
Fowles Small Batch Reserve Vermentino 2025
2025 Winter Red
How does it taste?
Pale straw with green hues. Aromas of lemon, lime, and subtle florals with a hints of minerality. The palate shows citrus and grapefruit, with a lingering lemonlime finish and a touch of saline minerality.
Where is it from?
At Fowles, we own and manage 300 acres of vines across two Strathbogie Ranges vineyards: Upton Run and Billi’s. The soils in our family vineyards are comprised of decomposed granite. Ancient, nutrientpoor and free-draining , ideal for encouraging vines to put energy into fruit development. The cool climate (19.5ºC January mean) and constant wind reduce frost and mildew risk, while warm days and cool nights allow slow, even ripening and excellent acid-sugar balance. Low rainfall and quick-draining soils lead to low yields and intense flavour.
Who made it?
Matt Harrop is one of Australia’s most respected cool climate winemakers, joining Fowles as Chief Winemaker in 2024. With a reputation built on precision, balance and a deep respect for place, Matt brings decades of experience from leading wineries including Curly Flat, Shadowfax and Brokenwood. His mastery of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with his intimate understanding of regions like the Strathbogie Ranges, make him a natural fit for Fowles. As Chair of the National Wine Show, Matt’s influence extends across the industry, and now into every bottle crafted at Fowles.
What makes it unique?
Fowles Small Batch wines are limited release wines made from small parcels of select fruit from the Strathbogie Ranges. These wines showcase alternative varietals and unique winemaking techniques that are dreamt up by our winemaking team, who are often inspired to experiment with new and different varieties. The result is a range of unique and contemporary cool-climate wines with lifted aromatics and bright acidity that are ready to be enjoyed upon release. The pack design is inspired by the process of how our winemakers sample wine straight from the tank whereby each bottle displays the batch and bottle number.
