MEET… Liv Maiorana - South by South West
Meet Liv Maiorana - Winemaker, South by South West Wines in Margaret River.
We sat down with South by South West Winemaker, Liv to talk underrated wine varieties, the magic of blending and her mix bag Spotify playlist.
South by South West in three words…?
Authentic. Contemporary. Tasty.
Can you talk us through a couple of your more unique blends…?
Super Margs - our Aussie take on an Italian Super Tuscan. This wine celebrates and heroes Sangiovese, whilst linking the heart and soul of the Margaret River region – Cabernet Sauvignon.
Arancia – a savoury, skin contact Pinot Grigio / Pinot Blanc blend with a beautiful phenolic lick.
Barbera Nebbiolo – not unique as such to the Piedmont region of Italy, but unique for the South West and most of Australia!
South by South West is on a mission to…?
Produce honest and authentic wines that respect the land, are sustainably farmed and made, minimally handled in the winery, honourable to vintage and true to region.
What do you love most about making wine…?
Blending tradition with contemporary play. I love making wine where every sip is a discovery, its own journey.
Most underrated wine variety…?
Cabernet Sauvignon. It has structure, complexity, vibrant aromatics and acid, fine tannins, and a mineral lean that can produce elegant, ethereal wines with the capacity to age.
What’s changed the most in the past five to ten years, when it comes to Aussie wine…?
A more vocal and informed consumer, along with ongoing support and encouragement for new practices – allowing winemakers to push the boundaries and experiment freely with varietals, farming approaches, and winemaking techniques to create truly innovative and unique regional wines.
Where will Aussie winemaking be in another five to ten years…?
Lighter and brighter. Picking fruit earlier to maintain a natural acid line and leaner structure, in turn achieving more ethereal style wines with lower alcohol.
Currently sipping on… ? Campari.
Currently listening to…? A real mixed bag of genres, but mainly Yacht Rock with a bit of Rufus Du Sol, Dire Straits, Elton John, Bryan Martin, and Old McDonald (for our daughter).