SISU

Inner strength, grit, determination. This is the meaning behind the Finnish word and label SISU, which is also an interpretation of the white-knuckle stamina and fortitude of owner and vigneron Jake Sheedy and wife, Mary. After a whirlwind 16 vintages spanning regions from Rutherglen to British Columbia, Jake honed his craft as winemaker at Mudgee's Logan Wines (see separate entry) before eyeing off a 95ha farm in the Coal River Valley in '20. With the backing of a private investor, the duo purchased the site, made the move across the ditch and planted 25ha to vine – a staggering portfolio including chardonnay, pinot noir, riesling, pinot gris, syrah, viognier, nebbiolo, gewürztraminer and gamay. '24 marked the inaugural vintage, and '25 saw a luxury cellar door established adjacent to the state-of-the-art, gravity-led winery facility. The wines are made to echo site, gently, with guidance over force, to great effect even in these embryonic years.
-KATRINA BUTLER