Gentle Folk Rainbow 2024

Gentle Folk represents one of Australia's most compelling natural wine stories, born from an unlikely transition from marine science to viticulture. Founded in 2013 by Gareth and Rainbo Belton, both PhDs in phycology (the study of seaweed), the project began with just three barrels made in a corner of James Erskine's shed in Basket Range. What started as a passionate hobby while completing doctoral studies has evolved into one of the Adelaide Hills' most sought-after natural wine producers.

The Beltons farm eight hectares across five sites in the western Adelaide Hills, working biodynamically on vineyards planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Riesling. Their journey into winemaking began during the final stretch of Gareth's PhD, when the routine of academic life lost its luster and wine became an obsession. After their initial vintages, they purchased land in Basket Range with a rustic shed lacking running water or electricity, situating themselves in the heart of Australia's natural wine community alongside producers like Jauma and The Other Right.

Their winemaking philosophy mirrors their scientific background—precise yet minimal intervention. In the vineyard, they practice organic and biodynamic farming, with Gareth handling most of the vineyard work himself. The cellar approach is equally hands-off: indigenous yeast fermentation, no additions during winemaking save for minimal sulfur at bottling, and creative use of various vessels including neutral oak and concrete. This approach yields wines that range from serious single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays to playful blends like their cult-favorite Rainbow Juice.

What distinguishes Gentle Folk is their ability to straddle the line between natural wine experimentation and classical precision. While early releases featured wild blends mixing red and white grapes and extended skin macerations, recent vintages show increased focus on single-site expressions. Their Chardonnays have become particularly acclaimed, showing drive, freshness, and beautiful texture. The Pinot Noirs display ethereal purity with quiet power and structure. Even their more experimental wines maintain balance and drinkability.

The Adelaide Hills terroir plays a crucial role in Gentle Folk's success. The region's maze of valleys and sub-valleys offers diverse microclimates and aspects, from warm eastern sites suitable for Syrah to cooler, steeper slopes perfect for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Beltons continue to seek out these cooler, higher-elevation sites to expand their range of single-vineyard bottlings. Their location in Basket Range places them at the epicenter of Australia's progressive wine movement, where a supportive community of like-minded producers shares knowledge and resources.

Recognition has followed quality. Wine critics note how Gentle Folk has transcended the "natural wine" label to simply make beautiful wines where any categorization becomes secondary. Campbell Mattinson ranked them among Australia's top 40 wineries, praising their "magical drinks" that elevate beyond typical natural wine stereotypes. Their evolution from making wines with "wild streaks" to producing bottles of finesse and quiet power reflects their dedication to understanding their sites and refining their craft.

The Adelaide Hills wine region, stretching across the Mount Lofty Ranges east of Adelaide, represents one of Australia's most dynamic and diverse viticultural areas. Officially established as a wine region in 1985, though with a winemaking history dating back to the 1830s, the Adelaide Hills has emerged as a crucible for both traditional excellence and progressive winemaking. Its cool climate, varied terroir, and proximity to Adelaide have made it a magnet for innovative producers and a source of some of Australia's most exciting wines.

Geography defines the Adelaide Hills' character. The region encompasses approximately 90 kilometers of undulating hills, valleys, and sub-valleys between 300 and 600 meters elevation. This topographical complexity creates an intricate patchwork of microclimates, with vineyards facing every conceivable aspect. The altitude provides crucial cooling influences in what would otherwise be a warm continental climate, with cold air drainage and elevation combining to create one of Australia's coolest wine regions. Average temperatures during the growing season are significantly lower than the neighboring Barossa and McLaren Vale, allowing for extended ripening periods and the retention of natural acidity.

The region's soils reflect its geological diversity. Ancient sedimentary rocks form the foundation, overlaid with varying depths of loam, clay, and sandy soils. The western areas feature more fertile soils derived from sandstone and shale, while eastern sites often show poorer, well-drained soils over quartzite and ironstone. This diversity allows different varieties to find their ideal homes—Sauvignon Blanc thrives on the sandy loams of the central hills, while Pinot Noir excels on the clay-rich soils of cooler southern sites. The variation in soil types within even small areas gives vignerons numerous options for matching variety to terroir.

The Adelaide Hills has become synonymous with cool-climate varieties, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Sauvignon Blanc, the region's most planted variety, produces wines of exceptional vibrancy and intensity, often rivaling New Zealand examples. Chardonnay ranges from crisp, unoaked styles to complex, age-worthy wines from producers like Shaw + Smith and Deviation Road. Pinot Noir, particularly from sub-regions like Piccadilly Valley and Lenswood, can achieve remarkable elegance and complexity. The region also excels with aromatic varieties like Riesling and Gewürztraminer, while warmer sites produce excellent Shiraz with pepper and spice rather than the power of warmer regions.

What truly distinguishes the Adelaide Hills is its role as Australia's natural wine epicenter. The Basket Range sub-region has become particularly famous as home to producers like Gentle Folk, Jauma, BK Wines, and The Other Right. These producers, many transitioning from other careers, have embraced minimal intervention winemaking, biodynamic farming, and experimental techniques. The concentration of like-minded producers has created a supportive community where knowledge sharing and collaboration flourish. This movement hasn't replaced traditional winemaking but rather exists alongside established producers, creating a dynamic tension that pushes the entire region forward.

The region faces unique challenges, particularly bushfire risk, as devastatingly demonstrated in the 2019-2020 fires that affected numerous vineyards. Climate change poses ongoing concerns, with increasing temperatures potentially threatening the cool-climate character that defines the region. Water availability and urban development pressure from Adelaide's expansion also present challenges. However, the Adelaide Hills' diversity—in elevation, aspect, and soil—provides some resilience, allowing producers to adapt through site selection and variety choice.

Today, the Adelaide Hills stands as one of Australia's most exciting wine regions, balancing tradition with innovation. From established names producing benchmark cool-climate wines to young producers pushing boundaries with natural winemaking, the region offers remarkable diversity within its cool-climate framework. Its proximity to Adelaide ensures a steady stream of visitors and support for cellar doors and restaurants, while its wines increasingly gain recognition globally. The Adelaide Hills proves that Australia can produce wines of finesse and elegance equal to any cool-climate region worldwide, while simultaneously nurturing a progressive wine movement that influences winemaking across the country and beyond.