Semillon and Shiraz are the Hunter's calling cards. We make both, and we're proud of them. But somewhere along the way, we got curious about what else could grow here - and the Anomaly range is where that curiosity landed.
That's where the Anomaly range comes in. It's our collection of Italian and alternative grape varietals, grown right here at Ironbark Hill Estate. These are grapes you don't typically see in the Hunter Valley - Sangiovese, Barbera, Vermentino, Fiano, Montepulciano, Graciano - all planted because we wanted to see what the Hunter's warm climate and volcanic soils could do with them. Turns out, quite a lot.
The Whites: Vermentino and Fiano
If you haven't tried our 2023 Anomaly Vermentino ($35), it's quickly become one of our most popular wines. Pale lemon yellow in the glass, it's richly aromatic with exotic lychee, crisp green melon, and a subtle flinty minerality. On the palate, zesty lime and juicy grapefruit create a refreshing, mouth-watering experience with lively acidity and a clean, crisp finish. Vermentino is a Mediterranean grape that thrives in warm climates, making Pokolbin an ideal home for it. At 12% alcohol, it's light and sessionable - perfect for an afternoon on the verandah.
Our newest white is the 2025 Anomaly Fiano ($35) - a Southern Italian grape that's been turning heads in Australian wine circles. Rich and smooth, with fresh pear, citrus, and a drizzle of honey on the nose. The flavours are bright and juicy with a zing of citrus that balances the wine's creamy texture, finishing crisp and clean. At 12%, it's another beautifully approachable wine. If you like Vermentino, Fiano is the natural next step.
Food match: Both whites are brilliant with fresh seafood - think grilled prawns, oysters, or a light fish ceviche. The Fiano's honey notes also pair nicely with chicken and herb dishes or a simple caprese salad.
The Reds: Where Things Get Interesting
The Anomaly reds are where the range really shines. Start with the 2024 Anomaly Sangiovese ($35) - the grape behind Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino, now growing in Pokolbin. Ours opens with enticing aromas of ripe summer berries, black cherry, and a hint of spice. The palate is rich and balanced with sweet, juicy dark fruit flavours layered with subtle cinnamon and clove. Supple tannins, gentle oak, and a long, velvety finish. It's the kind of wine that makes you reach for the pizza menu - which works out well, since our Wildstreak Kitchen is right next door.
Next up is the 2024 Anomaly Barbera ($35), another Piedmont classic. Vibrant cherry and violet in colour, with aromas of rich ripe berries and raspberry. Juicy plum, mulberry, and gentle spice round out the palate, with fine tannins guiding the fruit to a long finish. At 12.5%, Barbera is naturally high in acidity and lower in tannin, which makes it incredibly food-friendly - think pasta with rich tomato sauces, cured meats, or a slow-cooked ragu.
The 2024 Anomaly Graciano ($35) is a Spanish varietal rarely seen in Australia. Deep ruby-red with vibrant purple hues, it offers floral and dark fruit aromas layered with subtle notes of leather, vanilla, and cocoa. Medium to full-bodied, the palate is vibrant and complex - rich black fruits, refined tannins, lively acidity, and hints of spice, minerality, and earthy depth. At 14.5%, it's the biggest wine in the Anomaly range and rewards a hearty meal. Pair it with lamb cutlets, a rich beef stew, or aged hard cheeses.
Rounding out the reds is the 2024 Anomaly Montepulciano ($35). Deep maroon with pink hues, it opens with enticing aromas of boysenberry and pineapple - unusual and intriguing. The palate is fresh and vibrant with raspberry, red plum, and sour cherry, balanced between sweetness and tartness with a smooth, fruit-driven finish. It's a crowd-pleaser at cellar door tastings, and we'd pair it with pizza, eggplant parmigiana, or a charcuterie board.
The Wild Card: Tyrian
While technically under our Wildstreak label, the 2024 Wildstreak Tyrian ($40) deserves a mention here. Tyrian is a grape variety developed by the CSIRO specifically for Australian conditions - a hybrid of the Spanish Sumoll grape and Cabernet Sauvignon. We're one of only a handful of producers in the country growing it. Deep purple-red with a full-bodied palate brimming with rich, ripe blackberry and terrific spice. If you like bold reds, this one's worth the visit alone.
Why Alternative Varietals in the Hunter?
The Hunter Valley sits at a similar latitude to many of Italy's and Spain's great wine regions. Our warm days, mild nights, and well-drained volcanic soils give these Mediterranean grapes exactly what they want. The result is wines with genuine varietal character - serious wines that express the place they're grown.
Every wine in the Anomaly range is $35, making them an accessible way to explore something different. You can taste the full lineup at our cellar door at 694 Hermitage Rd, Pokolbin - open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Grab a glass, pull up a seat in the beer garden, and work your way through the range. It's the best way to find your favourite.
If the Anomaly range becomes a regular in your glass, our Peter Drayton Wine Club gives members 30% off every bottle, free shipping Australia-wide, and 20% off dining at the cellar door. You can build a custom pack each quarter and fill it with as many Anomaly bottles as you like - a good way to keep the cellar stocked without paying full freight.
