Unico Zelo

Australian wine spent years proving it could make powerful reds. Unico Zelo arrived and became much more interested in freshness, texture and grape varieties most people were barely discussing.

Founded by Brendan and Laura Carter in South Australia, the winery focuses heavily on Mediterranean varieties suited to Australia’s climate, particularly Fiano, Nero d’Avola, Dolcetto and Nebbiolo. Rather than forcing traditional international grapes into every vineyard, the project looks towards varieties naturally comfortable in warm conditions.

The wines are energetic, expressive and generally built around drinkability. Citrus, herbs, texture and bright acidity appear throughout the whites, while the reds often balance ripe fruit with freshness rather than sheer weight. Skin-contact wines and more adventurous blends also play an important role.

There is a broader philosophy running underneath the project. Sustainability, regional suitability and a willingness to rethink what Australian wine can look like all feed into the range.

What makes Unico Zelo particularly appealing is that the wines feel modern without becoming fashionable for the sake of it. They simply make a strong argument that Australia has far more possibilities than people sometimes assume.