Billy Button Wines
Star Cellar Door
0418 559 344
billybuttonwines.com.au
While Billy Button’s winery is at Myrtleford, the convenience of a shop-front-cellar-door in the heart of Bright with its mix of restaurants and a constant flow of tourists heading to the snowfields or chilling out in warmer weather in the mountains seemed a sensible option. It’s casual, and now outdoor seating has been added.
What makes this place special is the array of wines almost exclusively from varieties grown in the Alpine Valleys and many of Italian origin. The diverse selection includes well-known varieties such as chardonnay, shiraz, tempranillo and vermentino to lesser known varieties such as refosco, friulano and saperavi.
Owner/winemaker Jo Marsh has put the spotlight on this special region and makes more than 30 wines with assistant winemaker Alex Phillips. Plus, Jo’s winemaking husband, Glenn James, lends a hand, and has a range of amphora wines, two made from locally grown fruit. Cellar door manager, Grant Williams is a top bloke and loves a natter; he, with wife Sandy, will suggest a taste or a glass or a bottle to match with a selection of excellent cheese, local trout or salami. JANE FAULKNER
OUTSTANDING WINE: Billy Button The Clandestine Schioppettino, A$32