Grape Survives Winter Frosts Only To Be Made Into Fruity Lexia

TRACEY BENDINGER | Society | Contact

The jagged hills of Betootan wine country have long been regarded as one of Australia’s top wine producing regions, with many of the bigger vineyards garnering multiple international awards for their wines.

But winter in the Diamantina has been tough on grape growers this year, with an above average rainfall and below average temperatures wreaking havoc on the berries.

While vines typically thrive in harsh environments, this year’s frosty conditions proved too much for one grape and its kin who were once earmarked for a gold-medal winning Chardonnay.

“Unfortunately this bunch just isn’t going to cut it this year” said vigneron Miles Gilbert as he cupped a bunch of white grapes.

“We’d hoped to turn this crop into Otto’s Run, but they’ve just copped one too many licks from Jack Frost.”

Otto’s Run is Gilbert’s best selling Chardonnay and is stocked in world-famous restaurants, like Nobu and Mar A Lago.

When asked about the fate of this year’s crop, Gilbert said not to worry they will go to a good home.

“See that vat over there? That’s a 2025 Fruity Lexia in the making”

Fruity Lexia has long been a popular drink of choice for those wanting a good time for less, however for a grape it is the equivalent of being assigned to Hufflepuff. A destiny clearly not lost on the grapes in Gilbert’s hand, where a single grape tear could be seen trickling out before getting tossed into the vat.

More to come.