New South Wales South Coast-based Cupitt’s Estate is embarking on a bold new chapter with the release of a range of six distinctive new signature varietals: Vermentino, Arneis, Fiano, Montepulciano, Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. This reflects both the evolution of the region’s character (terroir) and a new generation of winemaking at the family-run estate.
Crafted by winemaker Wally Cupitt, the new wines mark both a generational shift at the family-run estate and a broader evolution of the South Coast’s reputation as a home to make and drink distinctive, climate-appropriate wines.
The boutique winery, award-winning restaurant and luxury accommodation has been making wine for 18 vintages. Since 2007, it has released over 150 wines and bottled close to half a million. However, this next chapter is defined by adventurous winemaking, a focus on varieties that thrive in the Hilltops terroir, and dedication to making the South Coast a destination for wine discovery.
Libby Cupitt, Strategic Partnerships Manager at Cupitt’s, Director of Destination Sydney Surrounds South and recently appointed President of the Shoalhaven Coast Wine Association, says: “We believe the future of Australian wine is growing right now in the vineyards of Hilltops, Tumbarumba, and Canberra. These Southern NSW regions are getting the recognition they deserve, with Hilltops especially showing how reds can stay beautifully balanced even as the climate changes. We’re proud to be part of the movement putting them on the national stage.”
Head Winemaker, Wally Cupitt says, “We favour Mediterranean varietals like Fiano, Vermentino, Arneis, Sangiovese, and Nebbiolo, not because they’re trendy, but because they make sense for our coastal way of life. They’re fresh, textural, food-friendly, and perfectly suited to the kind of dishes we serve at the restaurant here at Cupitt’s Estate. They complement the local seafood, house-made pasta, and produce from our garden.
“At Cupitt’s Estate, we work closely with growers across Southern NSW, choosing fruit from cooler, elevated sites that give us the quality and character we’re after. Being a small boutique producer means we can focus on varieties that really suit this region, and we’re inspired by what grows best in Hilltops.”
Cuptt’s Signature range includes:
Cupitt’s Vermentino – crisp and vibrant, with saline minerality that reflects Cupitt’s coastal home. Fresh, medium-weight and aromatic, with citrus, paired with seafood and sunshine.
Cupitt’s Arneis – aromatic and textural, a rare northern Italian varietal.
Cupitt’s Fiano – rich and complex with layers of citrus and nutty characters, ideal for pairing with local seafood.
Cupitt’s Sangiovese – medium-bodied with bright cherry notes and savoury tannins, a versatile red.
Cupitt’s Montepulciano – resilient in the vineyard and deeply lovable in the glass, with dark fruits, soft tannins and savoury complexity.
Cupitt’s Nebbiolo – showing red cherry, rose and earthy notes. Fine, firm tannins give it structure, making it a classic food wine made for long lunches. The next release will come later in 2025.
The new wines are available from the Cupitt’s Estate cellar door, online via the Cupitt’s website and in select venues across NSW.
Whilst this season marks a renewed focus on the winery, Cupitt’s delivers a farm-to-table restaurant experience, highlighting the best local produce, seasonal, farm-fresh dining in the restaurant or a more relaxed experience in the pet-friendly wine garden.
The luxury accommodation is in the form of architecturally designed stand-alone villas, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the beauty of the property and the Shoalhaven region, blending good food, wine and hospitality.
Libby Cupitt says, “At the heart of Cupitt’s is the warm hospitality the South Coast is known for, from sharing a meal at our restaurant to unwinding in our boutique accommodation overlooking the rolling green hills of the estate, we want every guest to feel part of our family as they experience our wine.”
Source: Melissa Grove PR
