La Violetta

Great Southern, Western Australia

SUSTAINABLE - MINIMAL INTERVENTION

La Violetta is the culmination of AJ Hoadley’s career and began with the production of small quantities of wine in Denmark, on Western Australia’s south coast, in 2008. Grapes are sourced from a handful of trusted growers with exceptional vineyards, some amongst the oldest in the state. The idea being to keep production at a small scale so that each wine is personally hand- crafted.

Before being lured west by the quality of Great Southern grapes, winemaker Andrew Hoadley worked all over Australia’s cool and hot zones and in Piedmont, Abruzzo and Washington State. He now lives on Mt Shadforth, just out of Denmark town, and makes the wines in a small facility in the countryside. His experience has given him the ability to create wines of elegance which not only offer a respect to the quality of the fruit he sources but also to the great houses of the old world and the history of the land the are derived from.

Each of AJ’s wines begin with a vineyard that reveals some exceptional character; not easily definable but something intri- guing. Something that AJ truly felt needed to be captured. From this, the style of each wine comes into focus with the many decisions made through tasting the fruit, pressing, fermentation and maturation… trying to intuit where the ideal point of bal- ance lies for that particular season.

The winemaking is simple in that the respect for the fruit dictates that only a guiding hand is required. Often the hardest thing to do in winemaking is knowing when to do nothing and AJ understands this completely. His winemaking leans on wild fer- ments, movements via gravity, minimal use of new oak and minimal sulphur. All in the interest of purity and elegance.

The name ‘La Violetta’ derives from an old Piedmontese song celebrating frivolity and friendship through wine, hopefully it translates through AJ’s wines!

2023 LA VIOLETTA ‘PATIO’ PET NAT - RESLING, MUSCAT - PETILLANT NATUREL

A pink Patio Nat born from black-skinned Muscat and Riesling. This fizzy number from Western Australia is simply shimmering with aromats — poached quince, tingling citrus, and dancing floral notes. Barrel ferment adding complexity, the splash of Riesling adding the citrus. Patio, verandah, courtyard or terrace, we’re not bothered where you sprawl yourself for this one.

2022 LA VIOLETTA ‘SPUNK’ PET NAT - SHIRAZ, RIESLING - PETILLANT NATUREL

There are no rules or boundaries in the winery with AJ Hoadley.

With the Spunk Nat he looked at a barrel of Shiraz and a barrel of Riesling and thought “Hey, that’s the Spunk this year!”

It’s a Pet-Nat with all the chewy, textural bits kept in. It’s a little wild and cheeky, like the man himself.

The perfect spritzy, fun-filled wine to while away the afternoon with.

2022 LA VIOLETTA ‘PGRIS+AMIS’ - PINOT GRIS, GEWURTZ, RIESLING

An assemblage of Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Riesling. All the happy aromatics in one fun wine! For lovers of Turkish delight, rose water, orange blossom; a meadow of a wine.

AJ Hoadley is behind La Violetta, a wine project that explores single vineyard, single varietal wines and some interesting blends, all whilst using fruit from the expansive, fertile region of the Great Southern in Western Australia. He is constantly experimenting, each year a new slew of wines reflecting the year that was.

2022 LA VIOLETTA ‘YEYE GRISE’ - GEWURTZ, RIESLING

AJ Hoadley once again luring us to this wild ferment. Heady and floral, a Gewurztraminer and Riesling blend lingering like a rambunctious perfume. Rosewater, citrus blossom and that extra complexity from lees. Copper in colour, from just enough skin-contact black muscat added to the ferment, and richly textured, this energetic wine is jumping outta the bottle.

2021 LA VIOLETTA ‘CHAGRIN’ CHARDONNAY

Hand harvested Chardonnay all directly pressed to a mix of old puncheons and new French hogsheads (approx 20%). Wild-fermented dry, spending 9 months on lees sans battonage. Settled, racked, then bottled unfined, unfiltered.

Perfumed, fine stone fruit and citrus, savoury lees complexity, smoky funk and tight oak presence. Flavoursome and textured, with an acid line that brooks no dissent, the palate rings clear as a cut glass bell. Guaranteed to put a chardonnay smile on your dial for years into the future.

2022 LA VIOLETTA ‘LOOSIE’ RANGA

Get into the aromatics: sweet florals, fresh citrus peel and wild herbs. Palate is full-on delicious; tangy peach and juicy rhubarb, fine savoury tannins and mellow skinsy textures.

Style: Orange Wine
Varietals: Riesling / Gewurztraminer / Pinot Gris.
Region: Great Southern, WA
Vintage: 2022
ABV: 13.1%

2022 LA VIOLETTA ‘PENURY’ PINOT NOIR

Fermented with 100% Whole Bunch, this has a lifted and aromatic nose firmly in the savoury spectrum, with sour and dried cherries, red berries, dried flowers, mulberry, cassia, brown cardamom, graphite and smoky, earthy accents. There’s ample fruit underpinning the spice and earth notes, though, with neither dominating. Supple but assertive tannins carry the flavours long, leaving a very distinctive signature of a wine of place.

2022 LA VIOLETTA ‘MEUENIER’ PINOT MEUENIER

The 2022 La Violetta Meunier Pinot Meunier pours a vibrant ruby red with a hint of purple at the rim. On the nose, it offers a delightful burst of red fruits – think juicy cherries and tart raspberries – intertwined with a touch of unexpected floral perfume, like violets peeking out from a summer garden. The first sip is a burst of freshness, thanks to lively acidity that dances on the tongue. Light-bodied and easy-drinking, flavors of red plum and a hint of spice emerge, creating a pleasant complexity. The finish is dry and crisp, leaving a lingering note of red berries. This playful Pinot Meunier is a perfect choice for a summer evening, enjoyable on its own or paired with lighter fare.

2022 LA VIOLETTA NOVA SYROVA SYRAH, GRENACHE, PN, MATARO , MEUNIER

Move over for Nova Syrova. Shrouded in a brooding smokiness, she walks on an earthy herbaceousness and picks plump cherries straight from the tree. This juicy number is a blend of many complex layers — Syrah, Grenache, Pinot Noir, Mataro and a splash of Meunier fermented in old barriques. Whole bunch Pinot Noir left on skins to start a wild carbonic ferment. Give it a chill, or drink as is.

2022 LA VIOLETTA ‘YEYE ROUGE’ - PINOT NOIR, SYRAH, MEUNIER

The 2022 La Violetta “Ye-Ye Rouge” is a juicy blend of Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Pinot Meunier from Australia’s cool Great Southern. Expect a burst of red fruit with hints of spice on the nose, followed by a medium-bodied palate alive with acidity. Light tannins and a crisp finish make it ideal for enjoying chilled with grilled fare or lighter dishes.

2020 LA VIOLETTA ‘UP!’ - SHIRAZ

The 2020 La Violetta “Up!” Shiraz boasts a bold personality. Expect a deep ruby color in the glass. On the nose, an initial burst of black fruit like blackberry and plum mingles with spicy notes of white pepper and a hint of earthiness. The palate is medium-bodied with a juicy core of those dark fruits, complemented by the peppery spice and a touch of savory smokiness. Balanced acidity keeps the wine fresh, while moderate tannins provide structure. The finish lingers with hints of dark chocolate and black pepper, making this Shiraz a perfect match for grilled meats, hearty stews, or even kangaroo!

2018 LA VIOLETTA ‘TEMPTER’ - TEMPRANILLO

The 2018 La Violetta ‘Tempter’ is a red wine blend from the Frankland River region of Western Australia, made from the Tempranillo grape. Some say it has a natural wine texture, notes of cola, brambly blackberries, and sweet spice, while others say it pairs well with beef cheek and has dark fruit and light spice flavors.

2011 LA VIOLETTA ‘LA CIORNIA’ - SHIRAZ

A heart of red fruit, surrounded by bramble, cinnamon and smooth like silk.

2024 LA VIOLETTA ‘PATIO’ PET NAT - RESLING, MUSCAT - PETILLANT NATUREL

A lively and expressive Pet Nat that brings together the bright freshness of Riesling and the floral charm of Muscat. The nose is aromatic with notes of citrus, green apple, and a hint of floral perfume, complemented by a subtle muskiness. On the palate, it’s refreshing and effervescent, with flavors of crisp green apple, lemon zest, and a touch of orange blossom. The natural bubbles are soft and gentle, leading to a clean, slightly fruity finish with a touch of minerality. Perfect for casual gatherings, fresh seafood, or light appetizers.

2023 LA VIOLETTA ‘DAS SAKRILEG’ - RIESLING

A vibrant and complex Riesling showcasing the elegance and minerality of its cool-climate origin. The nose is expressive with aromas of citrus zest, green apple, and a hint of petrol, alongside delicate floral notes. On the palate, it’s crisp and bright, with flavors of lemon, lime, and green pear, balanced by a zesty acidity. The wine’s purity and freshness are complemented by a subtle touch of slate-like minerality, leading to a long, clean finish with a refreshing bite. Perfect for pairing with Asian cuisine, seafood, or soft cheeses.

Vintage	Wine	Availability
2021	LA VIOLETTA ‘ZIBBO NAT’ PET NAT - MUSCAT, RIESLING, GEWURTZ - PETILLANT NATUREL	SOLD OUT!
2021	LA VIOLETTA ‘U ROCK DOTS’ - GEWURTZ, RIESLING, PINOT GRIS - OFF DRY 10.5G/L	SOLD OUT!
2022	LA VIOLETTA ‘DAS SAKRILEG’ - RIESLING	SOLD OUT!
2021	LA VIOLETTA ‘LOUNGE’ O - AMBER	SOLD OUT!
2020	LA VIOLETTA ‘LOOSIE’ BOGUE	SOLD OUT!
2021	LA VIOLETTA ‘FRIC FRAC’ - CABERNET FRANC	SOLD OUT!
2015	LA VIOLETTA ‘LA RAYON V’- MALBEC CABERNET	SOLD OUT!
2021	LA VIOLETTA ‘FIANO NAT’ PET NAT	SOLD OUT!