Like its name, this winery is but a drop in the ocean of Australian wine. But oh what a drop. Smallfry is a partnership in business and life between Suzi Hilder and Wayne Ahrens, viticulturists bitten by the winemaking bug. That they are also foodies drives their winemaking down a certain path: native yeast ferments, zero to minimal adjustment, old oak, and a soft hand in the cellar allowing the vineyard to speak. Their style is food friendly, European-influenced (Wayne spent part of his youth in Spain), with a eye to balance and subtlety.
Wayne and Suzi own two very special vineyards, one in Eden Valley and the other in Barossa’s Vine Vale subregion in the valley floor. The Eden Valley vineyard has been established since 1994 while the Vine Vale block has been the Schlieb’s family seat for generations, with the last incumbent putting in 52 vintages before hanging up his snips. In other words…the vines are OLD, some dating back to the 1850s!
Here’s Wayne’s philosophy on winemaking:
If I can’t offer you something I’m excited about we might as well all pack up, go home and leave it to Jacobs Creek.
Too right. Winemaking at Smallfry is 100% certified biodynamic, with the biggest point of difference between them and the majority of the Barossa winemaking community being a reliance on wild yeast to conduct the primary alcoholic ferment. As Wayne says,
The winemaker's companions (c) Smallfry
The biggest kick I get out of using wild ferments is the Dionysis thing. Wine was a gift from the gods because before microscopes no one had any idea of what was turning their grapes into wine. Fermentation was a spontaneous event to be celebrated by giving thanks to the gods, it turned a perishable item i.e. grapes into a storable, pleasant (we hope) health giving product.
Crushing grapes into a fermenter then later getting in with my bare feet and feeling around for the little warm patches and mixing them into the rest of the must until within a day or two a lovely, healthy, sweet smelling ferment results is a thing of great excitement for me.
Exciting things next week - smallfrywines are doing a famelia.wine wine list take over!
Winemakers Wayne and Suzi will be pouring their biodynamic ✨magic✨ on Wed, Aug 2 at Famelia from 5:30pm onwards. It’ll be a casual affair with regular service, BUT with Wayne, Suzie & the Famelia team on hand to pour & talk you through a range of incredible wines from their 150-year-old biodynamic vineyard in Vine Vale. They`ll showcase 6 of their wines, and the other 6 will be our `best-ofs` from the month!
Get tix now via the Reserve button in our profile 💜🥂🕺🏼
🍇 We heard through the great wine that Thursday`s the new Friday... 🍇
🍷 Did you know that Guyala`s wine list is packed with small, passionate producers from Australia and around the world?
🍷 We curated this selection with a focus on sustainability and flavour balance - and we`re confident that you can discover a delicious new wine at your next visit!
🍷 Booze available from 10 am daily
📸 One of our favourite producers is South Australian smallfrywines in Barossa. Fun fact: last year, Guyala owner ollyjames took a working holiday to learn how to make wine from Smallfry owners Wayne and Suzi!
New arrivals alert 🚨Smallfry from South Australia smallfrywines
Smallfry is back! Their vineyards and winery are all Certified Organic / Biodynamic as of April 2014. They own two beautiful vineyards focusing on biodynamic farming in South Australia, one in Eden Valley and the other in Barossa Valley subregion Vine Vale, the latter home to some of the oldest vines in the valley.
Smallfry Rose 2021. 1,590- 👉🏻 Strawberries, cream, cranberries and rosehip. Creamy mouthfeel, full palate, finishing dry.
Smallfry, Joven 2020. 1,690- 👉🏻 Red fruits, fresh and then there is that lovely ood your gums textural element that rounds everything out.
And just like that the 2023 vintage has come to an end!
Daniel and I met Wayne from smallfrywines in 2019 when we attended Raw Wine NYC. We asked his advice on how to become winemakers and he said “come work for me!” We couldn’t refuse so we stayed in touch and this year we finally made it to Australia!
It’s been a whirlwind of a vintage and at times the days were long, but we had so much fun along the way!
Wayne and Suzi shared so much of their knowledge with us and we learned so much over the past couple of months! We can’t thank them enough for this opportunity.
We’re leaving the Barossa with full hearts, great memories, and bigger muscles 💪🏼
Cinsault is joy. It’s red fruits and flowers are begged to be popped, poured and enjoyed with others. Especially when bottled by natural heroes Yannick Pelletier and Smallfry 🌺🦸♀️🦸♂️
Hey Nic, is that the latest drop of smallfrywines Jellyfish Grenache? Perfect! Straight outta the bottle (chilled, of course) and into the weekend. Join us from. #BonesRamen #SmallfryWines ...
Delightful day for a little lunch in the sun the.lostcaptain Elvis says the Bao buns are the best! masterchefau #masterchefau #huonvalley #tasmania #smallfrywines smallfrywines ...
PRODUCER SPOTLIGHT 🍇 SMALLFRY WINES : Barossa Valley, Australia smallfrywines
Suzi Hilder and Wayne Ahrens are here from Australia for rawwineworld LA this week!
Smallfry is a partnership in business and life between Suzi Hilder and Wayne Ahrens, viticulturists bitten by the winemaking bug. That they are also foodies drives their winemaking down a certain path: native yeast ferments, zero to minimal adjustment, old oak, and a soft hand in the cellar allowing the vineyard to speak. Their style is food friendly, European-influenced (Wayne spent part of his youth in Spain), with a eye to balance and subtlety. Wayne and Suzi own two very special vineyards, one in Eden Valley and the other in Barossa’s Vine Vale subregion in the valley floor. The Eden Valley vineyard has been established since 1994 while the Vine Vale block has been the Schlieb’s family seat for generations, with the last incumbent putting in 52 vintages before hanging up his snips. In other words…the vines are OLD, some dating back to the 1850s!
Winemaking at Smallfry is 100% certified biodynamic, with the biggest point of difference between them and the majority of the Barossa winemaking community being a reliance on wild yeast to conduct the primary alcoholic ferment. As Wayne says, “The biggest kick I get out of using wild ferments is the Dionysis thing. Wine was a gift from the gods because before microscopes no one had any idea of what was turning their grapes into wine. Fermentation was a spontaneous event to be celebrated by giving thanks to the gods, it turned a perishable item i.e. grapes into a storable, pleasant (we hope) health giving product.
Crushing grapes into a fermenter then later getting in with my bare feet and feeling around for the little warm patches and mixing them into the rest of the must until within a day or two a lovely, healthy, sweet smelling ferment results is a thing of great excitement for me.”
COME TASTE WITH SUZI AND WAYNE NOV. 6/7th citymarketsocialhouse for RAW WINE’S FALL EDITION!
Jamie Fraser, aka Sam Heughan came round for some of Georgia’s home cooking. He’s a big fan. Not married either. All washed down with a Smallfry Eden Valley Riesling. #outlander #jamiefraser #samheughan #markswirl #delicious #smallfrywines #edenvalley #riesling #barossa #wine #winelover #winetime #winetasting #winenot #wineporn #instawine #instagood #winederlust #wanderlust #luxury #travel #nullumrelinquamstilla ...
Smallfry wines is the work of Suzi Hilder and Wayne Ahrens. Their wines are food friendly with an eye to balance and subtlety.
They are ardent believers of minimal intervention and allowing the fruit and terroir to shine. In keeping with that ethos, they use natural ferments such as wild yeast with minimal adjustment.
Their vineyards and winery are all Certified Organic / Biodynamic as of April 2014.
They own two beautiful vineyards focusing on biodynamic farming in South Australia, one in Eden Valley and the other in Barossa Valley subregion Vine Vale, the latter home to some of the oldest vines in the valley. smallfrywines
Come try our new comer🍷 #unscenewinebar #smallfrywines ...
SUPPLIER SHOUT OUT: smallfrywines is one of our favourite wine producers. Their biodynamic, small-batch wines are handcrafted by Smallfry`s Suzi and Wayne in the Barossa Valley.
📸 Cinsault Rosé, available by the glass or bottle from 10 am daily
This delicious Rosé is bright but dense with flavour, with texture and length.
