Small Forest Wines, founded by Atsuko Radcliffe — the first female winemaker in Japan and the only Japanese winemaker to establish a wine brand in Australia, offers a poetic end to an evening’s performance.

The name, a direct translation of her family name “Kobayashi,” is as personal as the wisteria on the label, which comes from her family crest.

In the 1980s, Radcliffe aspired to become a sake brewer but faced gender barriers in Japan. Instead, she pivoted to wine, debuting her first vintage in Japan in 1987. She refined her career in France, before travelling through the vineyards of Victoria, South Australia, and Western Australia, ultimately choosing to settle in the Upper Hunter Valley, New South Wales,  

While Verdelho is not usually associated with nightcaps, its lush mouthfeel and expressive aromatics make it a pleasure to sip at the end of the night. The textural wine is syrupy, fruity and quietly complex – the ideal contemplative glass to unwind with.

For purchase visit Small Forest Wines