What is Fiano?
With this week’s exciting announcement of a Gold Medal being awarded to our 2024 Sarah Fiano at the New South Wales Wine Awards, we thought we’d dive deep into this delicious grape variety.
Origins
Fiano is a white wine grape variety that is grown primarily in the Campania region of southern Italy and on the island of Sicily. In more recent times, Fiano has successfully been grown in some Australian wine regions, including in the rolling Hilltops Region.
Characteristics
The flavour spectrum of Fiano can be varied, depending on where it is grown. It is a grape that adapts well to different conditions resulting in a variety of flavour profiles.
Fiano is traditionally grown on volcanic soils and often at elevation, producing fine, elegant and mineral wines with fruit weight and intensity.
The cool climate Hilltops Region grows Fiano that produces a vibrant, fresh, medium bodied wine with moderate textural acidity.
Ballinaclash 2024 Sarah Fiano
THE VINES
Ballinaclash Fiano has been grafted onto Cabernet Sauvignon vines planted in 1997. This established root system is bedded in deep, red, volcanic soil.
Ballinaclash Fiano vines are carefully cane pruned each year to ensure a balanced, premium quality fruiting crop.
WINE MAKING
As with all Ballinaclash wines, the philosophy is for minimal intervention in the wine making process. We prefer our wines to display the characteristics of the grapes and tell the story of each vintage; our passion for growing premium grapes, enables us to do this. In collaboration with our wine maker, Chris Derrez, we have been able to produce this beautiful wine that maintains the distinctive characteristcs of a Ballinaclash, Hilltops Fiano.
TASTING NOTES
Bright floral aromas of honeysuckle and fresh blossoms lead to a palate displaying grapefruit and lemon characteristics that are juicy but tangy. Balanced with moderate weight and roundness.
Produced to enjoy young however may be cellared for 5+ years. Subtle spicier, nutty notes develop over time.
AWARDS
Gold 2024 Canberra and Region Wine Show
Gold 2025 NSW Wine Awards
FOOD PAIRING
Fiano can be enjoyed without food however its natural acidity, makes it an extremely versatile food pairing wine.
Here’s some of our suggestions:
~ Asian Dishes with Chilli and Spices.
~ Seafood Dishes including Chowder, Scallops, Oysters and Salmon
~ Creamy Pasta Dishes
~ Roast Pork Belly
~ Tomato Based, Herby Vegetarian Dishes
~ Antipasta
Where can I get my hands on a bottle of Ballinaclash 2024 Sarah Fiano?
~ Ballinaclash Cellar Door – pop in for a taste. There’s every chance you’ll meet the maker at our family run Cellar Door!
Open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from 11am to 4pm out of cherry season.
Open 7 days a week during the cherry season from 8am to 5pm (Cherry season usually runs through November and December).
Cellar Door discount available for purchases of 6+
~ Ballinaclash Online Shop Browse shop now
~ We also have bottle shops, pubs and restaurants serving our Fiano all around the countryside including Sydney, Canberra, Queanbeyan, Melbourne, Wagga, Holbrook, Bateman’s Bay and others.
Feel free to shoot us an email to find a stockist near you.