Gonzo Vino, the sommelier born wine brand on a mission to make cask wine cool again, has launched its latest release.
The unashamedly loud collection of playfully named cardboardeaux wines like Boomer Juice, Splishy Splashy and Get a Grip aim to hit the right notes in modern mouths.
Founded in 2018 by Sommelier Marcus Radny, Gonzo Vino eschews environmentally damaging, heavy glass bottles to bring high quality wine full of character and flavour in eco-friendly packaging, channelling the 60’s, with psychedelically eclectic designs by Melbourne designer Jim Grimwade.
An ironic nod to the era that saw the invention of cask wine, right here in South Australia where Gonzo brings their wines to life.
Working with vineyards across the region, Gonzo Vino focuses on unique Mediterranean varieties that are sustainably grown and packaged to reduce their carbon footprint.
The range is large, however, production is small and limited.
While the official numbers say the ‘23 vintage was the smallest crush Australia has seen in a generation, Gonzo Vino’s growers did an amazing job managing a difficult season, resulting in the most dynamic wines they have made to date.
Expect chillable reds like tinta barocca, named “Splishy Splashy”, a real outlier variety that is one of Gonzo Vino’s most sought after wines. The rich and plummy wine with dusty, soft tannin that can be enjoyed chilled straight from the fridge.
A delicious tropical, mouth-filling wine like the Italian variety vermentino, “Get A Grip”jumps out of the glass with lashings of apricot creamsicle, ginger spice and lemongrass and is the perfect accompaniment for a summer seafood feast, or Italian long lunch with friends.
Not to be missed, in a cheeky nod to the older generations’ love of a cab sav, “Boomer Juice” is a modern style Cabernet Sauvignon with less of the richness and power one might expect, instead bringing freshness and lightness behind the herby spice line.
The freshness of this style allows the bright redcurrant and pomegranate flavours to really shine on.
“The quality of Gonzo Vino is at the top of its game and once opened you can drink it across 6-8 weeks, without worrying about the wine oxidising within days like it would in a glass bottle.
“The truth is, the bag in the box style is by far the most climate-friendly and cost-effective method. It’s also far less fragile and easier to transport. It’s a game changer for occasional drinkers and perfect for outdoor enthusiasts given its portability,” said Gonzo Vino Founder, Marcus Radny.
Radny says the major challenge in making cask cool again, largely stems from its humble lowbrow history, “Cask wine has had a bad rep for a long time, mainly due to the perception that it’s still about large volumes of cheap wine with no personality.
Ninety per cent of wine produced globally is consumed within a year. Cask wine isn’t made to be cellared, it’s made to be drunk and enjoyed.
While you can still bag the baby boomers for many things, bagged wine is no longer one of them”.