Gentle Folk

Gentle Folk Rainbow 2024

Regular price $29.00
Why we like it

Rainbow Juice blurs wine boundaries with its kaleidoscope blend—part rosé, part orange wine, all Adelaide Hills sunshine captured through biodynamic farming and zero-addition winemaking, resulting in pure, breezy enjoyment.

SustainableHandmadeLow-sulfitesLow-intervention
Description

Rainbow Juice embodies Gareth and Rainbo Belton's playful approach to winemaking at their Basket Range estate in the Adelaide Hills. This ever-changing blend features Pinot Gris, Sangiovese, and Pecorino—though past iterations have included up to 21 varieties—all sourced from their biodynamically farmed vineyards across five sites. The winemaking combines multiple techniques: some grapes receive skin contact, others are direct pressed, and some contribute free-run juice, with fermentation occurring naturally without additions. Previously marine scientists specializing in seaweed, the Beltons bring scientific precision to their minimal intervention philosophy, producing wines that capture Adelaide Hills' terroir.

Tasting notes

Bursting with aromatic intensity and textural complexity, the wine delivers zippy acidity alongside wild, untamed fruit flavors. The brief skin contact adds dimension while maintaining freshness, creating what Gareth describes as "Adelaide Hills spring in a glass."

CLASSICPROGRESSIVE
Food pairings

Perfect alongside Spanish pan con tomate, where the wine's bright acidity and textural grip complement the garlic-rubbed bread topped with ripe tomatoes and olive oil.

Wine Details

Dry/Sweet:, Dry
Wine Type:, Rosé
Wine Style:, Light Body
Grapes:, Pinot Gris, Sangiovese
Farming:, Organic
Vintage:, 2024
Alcohol:, 12%
Country:, Australia
Region:, Adelaide Hills
Appellation:, NA
Bottle Size:, 750ml
Sugar Level:, Low Sugar, Zero Added Sugar

These information are correct to the best of our knowledge. We talk to natural wine producers, importers, and distributors on a regular basis; should you notice discrepancies, please let us know and we will fix them right away.

We will process and ship your order in 2-3 business days, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking as soon as the Carrier scans the shipping label.

Ground shipping time depends on location, here's a breakdown:

West Coast: 1-2 business days
Midwest: 3-4 business days
East Coast: 5 business days

Process time is not shipping time. Shipping time starts from the days successive to the day of shipping, after the order has been processed.

See here our shipping policy.


Important Compliance Requirements

FedEx and other carriers we might occasionally use can only deliver wine to customers who are 21 years or older. Someone must be at the address to receive the package, carriers don't just drop a package and leave. They must ensure the person receiving the wine is 21 or older.


Re-shipping a Package

If a package gets returned to us after three failed delivery attempts, we can only re-ship the wine upon payment of a re-shipping fee to be determined based on shipping address and number of bottles. Shipping wine is extremely expensive, we are sorry about this, but we have no other choice. Please make sure there's always someone at the address you enter as your shipping address.

If you'd like to receive a refund for a package that was returned to us after FedEx made three delivery attempts, we can do that but we must keep a $20 refund fee; FedEx charges us a lot of money for returns, unfortunately, I can't stress this enough.


Re-routing a Package

If you'd like to re-route a package after it's been shipped, we can do so upon payment of a $20 re-routing fee. We cannot re-route a package across state borders. For any change of address, please contact us as soon as possible, ideally within 1-2 days from placing the order or we cannot guarantee we'll be able to reroute or change your order's shipping address.


Canceling an Order

If you'd like to cancel an order after it's been shipped, we can do so upon payment of a small cancelling fee – the amount depends on how big the order is. Carriers charge us a lot of money to recall a package en-route.


Heat/Frost damage

We are not responsible for heat/frost-related issues. for heat we offer ice-packs upon request. please let us know should you think that there could be heat-related issues. again, if we don't hear anything from you regarding weather issues, or if you don't request a hold due to the weather, we are not responsible for heat/frost damage.


Placed an order. What next?

1. You will receive an order confirmation email with your order summary.*

2. As soon as your order ships from the warehouse, usually within 2-3 business days, this applies to all shipping rates, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with your tracking information.

3. Please track your package using the tracking service.

4. The carrier will attempt delivery a maximum of 3 times. After 3 delivery attempts, your package will be sent back to our warehouse.**

*Please ensure your email address is correct, otherwise, you will not receive the order and shipping confirmation emails.

**If delivery is attempted 3 times with no success or if you fail to retrieve your package at the carrier depot by the stated deadline, the shipping fee will not be refunded to the customer.

Returns Policy

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact us at (424) 414-2040 or via e-mail at hello@primalwine.com between 9 am and 5 pm Pacific Standard Time, Monday through Sunday, we would like to understand and try to solve your concerns. We can offer refunds only as store credit.

Guido's Picks
Gentle Folk Rainbow 2024
$29.00

Producer profile

Gentle Folk

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.

Wine region

Adelaide Hills, Australia

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.

Frequently asked question

We will process and ship your order in 2-3 business days, you will receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking as soon as the Carrier scans the shipping label.

Ground shipping time depends on location, here's a breakdown:

West Coast: 1-2 business days
Midwest: 3-4 business days
East Coast: 5 business days

Process time is not shipping time. Shipping time starts from the days successive to the day of shipping, after the order has been processed.

See here our shipping policy.

Signature on delivery is mandatory for wine deliveries. Please make sure someone is at the shipping address to sign for the package.

If applicable, please consider delivering the package to a business address to ensure someone is available to sign for the package.

We also have the option of delivering the package to a Carrier's store for pickup. Please reach out to us to coordinate.

Carrier will try to delivery a package up to three times before returning the package to us.

See here our shipping policy.

If you miss a delivery and a package gets returned to us we have two options:

1) Reship the package right away: due to the very high cost of shipping and returns, we must charge a re-shipping fee to be determined based on package size and shipping destination.

2) Consolidate the returned package with your next order: this option is free of charge and it's the most popular option.

See here our shipping policy.

This collection features our best selling natural wine from all around the world. It's the best place to start you natural wine journey! Browse one of the largest selections of natural wine available online in the United States.

Primal Wine Natural Wine Club is the best way to discover natural wine. Let us do the heavy-lifting, sit back, and relax. We will send you an ever-changing selection of natural wine made by top producers from around the world.

Our customers love Primal

I'm just copying and pasting from the hundreds messages we received, no pseudo reviews!
Erin C.

We love our membership so far and can't wait until our next shipment.

Jennifer B.

A note to say that we are loving the tasting notes sheet you’re sending!

James S.

I'm really happy to find Primal – your selections are terrific. 

Samuel M.

Love your company, always a great wine selection. 

Chelsea V.

I love what you guys do!

Shop by type

Browse our main wine collections, you can filter more one the collection page.
Black and white photo of a hand holding grapes in the vineyards, buy natural wine online on Primal Wine online store - primalwine.com

What is natural wine?

Natural wine is a type of wine made in small batches from organic or biodynamic grapes with minimal intervention.
Black and white photo of several grapes and vine leaves in the vineyards, buy natural wine online on Primal Wine online store - primalwine.com

What is Biodynamics?

Biodynamic wine is wine made from grapes farmed biodynamically. Biodynamic farming is a holistic approach.
Black and white photo of a hand harvesting grapes in the vineyards, buy natural wine online on Primal Wine online store - primalwine.com

What is organic wine?

Organic wine is made with grapes farmed organically. Organic farming is a type of farming alternative to conventional farming.
What is vegan wine?

What is vegan wine?

Vegan wine is wine made without using animal products during the fining phase of the clarification process.