Smidge Wines Houdini - Introduction to the Smidge Family

Houdini from Smidge Wines are beautifully crafted, limited quantity and attractively priced wines ideal for immediate drinking or cellaring. Demonstrating master craftsmanship from winemaker Matt Wenk, just like their name, they are destined to disappear. 

Typically straight varietals, the Houdini range consists of easy-drinking options for every palate. There’s a Shiraz and an Estate Cabernet sauvignon from McLaren Vale in the reds. This wonderful wine-growing area of South Australia also produces the Grenache Rosé and Grenache Carignan. The final wine of the Houdini range is a Sauvignon Blanc from a vineyard in the Southern area of Kuitpo in the Adelaide Hills, just 20 minutes east of McLaren Vale. Matt says of his Houdini range, “I put my heart and soul into all of my wines, and the Houdini range are soft, easy-drinking styles. If that’s what you’re after, then you won’t be disappointed. The Houdini range is great for “Monday-to-Friday” or that special occasion.” Matt says the vineyard sources in the Houdini red wines are the same as those used for the more expensive wines in the Smidge range and are placed in French oak barrels for 10-18 months. “Oak is a natural product, and each barrel matures differently,” he says. “It’s the way they mature over time that determines the part of the portfolio that they will be destined for. Six months post vintage, I taste each barrel blind and classify them accordingly. The lighter, softer wines are perfect for the Houdini range, while those with more complexity and structure will be used on one of our other ranges of the White Labels, Pedra Branca, S and Magic Dirts.”

Smidge Wines - Autobiographical Series

The White Label wines from Smidge Wines all carry their own names that reflect their varietal character and region of origin. Each wine reveals complexity, flavour and structure - big and bold but with a level of restraint that is the mark of excellent winemaking by master winemaker, Matt Wenk.

The importance of family and friends in Smidge Wines' philosophy is best illustrated by its “White Label” Autobiographical Series. These wines reflect the varietal characters of fruits from their regions and carry unique names in honour of the people and events that have made Smidge Wines successful today. Wines in this series are a step up from the softer, fruit-driven, easier-drinking Houdini range. They demonstrate more complexity and structure but are crafted and shaped as only a world-class winemaker can. Says Matt; “Our White Label wines all carry their own names to show their true varietal characters and the story that inspired their making. They are a true representation of their region. I believe they over-deliver, and any consumer won’t be disappointed.”

Pedra Branca

The Pedra Branca wine series from Smidge Wines celebrates how the forces of nature have the power to create things that are unique and remarkable. Pedra Branca wines are project wines where each year, master winemaker Matt Wenk, demonstrates his 'berry to bottle' philosophy by finding the best grapes from individual vineyards that showcase the best of their class and the conditions in which they were grown. This makes Pedra Branca wines remarkable, highly sought after, acclaimed by wine reviewers and by their nature, extremely limited in quantity.

Pedra Branca wines push the boundaries of what is possible with alternative varietals or winemaking techniques. Matt Wenk, says: “Nature gives us something so pure that there are no additions to these wines. Pedra Branca wines are the vineyard speaking, and as the winemaker I simply nurture them.” Says Matt, “This range has evolved as a project series in which I endeavour to extract the very best from the season, the vineyard, the fruit. Some attempts have never seen the light of day, but as the vintages have passed I’ve been able to push the boundaries more consistently – and this is what the Pedra Branca label is all about.”

Icon Series

The Smidge 'S' celebrates the origin of Smidge Wines each year with an extremely limited release wine that promises only the very best of Barossa Shiraz. Each year, acclaimed winemaker Matt Wenk, tastes through all barrels and selects the very best shiraz for his flagship wine. The first release in 2002 was nominated for the George Mackay Trophy - Australia's best exported wine. Since then Smidge 'S' has consistently returned 94+ points from the James Halliday Australian Wine Companion. The elegant bottle and minimalist labeling makes this an attractive and highly desirable gift for those who know their wine.

Magic Dirts

Magic Dirt is one of Australia's most acclaimed wines and the pinnacle of the Smidge Wines range. It's name reflects one of the secrets of great wine making - the quality that the terroir brings to the wine. Each vintage is inspired by the sub regional terroir of South Australia's wine regions with all vineyards selected trellised with a single cordon, single catch wire and planted with the clone 1654. Magic Dirt wines represent the skill of master winemaker Matt Wenk with every vintage receiving gold reviews from the James Halliday Australian Wine Companion since 2017. Quantities are extremely limited and are highly sought after by those who savour quality wine.   

Fortifieds

Fortified winemaking was the very heart of the Australian industry for more than a century, yet despite its rich heritage, it has become a dying and rarified art form. Smidge Wines is excited to be one of a handfull of small producers ensuring the world of fortified wines continues to live on in Australia with the Rutherglen Grand Muscat from master winemaker, Matt Wenk.