DANIEL RICCIARDO KICKS OFF NEW VINTAGE OF DR3 X ST HUGOTM WINES WITH SPECIAL EDITION DECANTER
Australian Formula 1® superstar Daniel Ricciardo and one of Australia’s most revered wine brands, St Hugo, are firing up the second year of their winemaking collaboration, unveiling an extraordinary hand-blown ‘Ricciardo Decanter’. Inspired by Ricciardo’s podium celebration ritual and modelled on Ricciardo’s own racing shoe, the ‘Ricciardo Decanter’ has been crafted to accompany the new vintage release of DR3 x St Hugo wines.
This latest release represents the next phase of Ricciardo’s winemaking journey, where he applies a greater understanding of blending, with his signature intuition, and playfulness in a contemporary interpretation of St Hugo’s house style. The milestone will also be marked by a new-look label for DR3 x St Hugo, featured on two new limited release vintages - a 2018 Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon and 2020 South Australia Shiraz - which will drop on Monday, 4 April 2022, exclusively online.
“I’m so proud and overwhelmed by the reaction we had for the launch of DR3 x St Hugo. When St Hugo approached me with the idea of creating a piece to showcase our wines at their best, I was excited to see the creative inspiration, and so the Ricciardo Decanter was born.” says Ricciardo.
Ricciardo continues, “There is so much passion and craftmanship that goes into winemaking and learning about the process has been incredible. This year’s release has a lot more of my personal input and involvement in the blending process for the wine. I’ve thought about how I want people to experience this wine, balancing my love of full flavour and what I call the ‘explosion’ on your tastebuds, in a way that is delicious and makes you smile as you pour a glass.”
The Ricciardo Decanter
Described as “aerodynamic with finely tuned curves” by Ricciardo, the Ricciardo Decanter was designed by Sydney-based studio Vert Design and took 100 meticulous design-hours to complete as the team experimented with detailed surface textures, volumetrics, pouring angles, and ergonomics to be able to create a functional object while remaining an exact replica of Ricciardo’s famed shoe.
This level of detail and craftmanship extends to each Ricciardo Decanter, which is painstakingly hand- blown and moulded at Canberra Glassworks, producing unique individual collectors’ pieces.
Holding a standard bottle of wine, the Ricciardo Decanter is designed to deliver an exceptional experience by ensuring the optimal release of the wine’s flavours and aromas. Using a decanter will allow the wine to breathe, elevating its true character before pouring and sharing with friends.
“The Ricciardo Decanter has been heavily engineered like no other” says Mitchell Brown, Senior Industrial Designer at Vert Design. “It is a powerful and elegant statement piece that will become the centre of attention in any home bar, or dining room table”.
A limited quantity of the Ricciardo Decanter will be sold separately, individually numbered and presented in a trophy case inspired luxury display box, including a letter from Ricciardo and a certificate of authenticity.
The New DR3 x St Hugo Wines
“Bright red and dark berry flavours unfold with the sharp focus of a diamond; they hit the roof of your mouth, then shoot out to the sides and down the back of the tongue” - Daniel Ricciardo.
Ricciardo continues to chase a lifelong passion for fine wine in 2022, and with the direction of St Hugo Chief Winemaker, Peter Munro, deepens his involvement in DR3 x St Hugo following the wildly successful launch of the co-branded fine wine series in 2021. Ricciardo had an active hands-on blending and tasting role throughout the winemaking process which saw him drive the shape, structure, and flavour profile of the latest release more than ever before.
“Daniel’s creativity and consideration in understanding the nuances of winemaking is impressive and inspiring. He has an excellent intuition when it comes to flavour and the result is fruit-forward wines that reflect his personality – lively and joyful, open and approachable, but also serious at the core.” Said Peter Munro, Chief Winemaker at St Hugo.”
A Coonawarra Cabernet at its finest, the DR3 x St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 highlights the distinctive regional characteristics of fruit grown on terra rossa soil over limestone. Structural with regional blackcurrant fruit, this is a fruit-forward style - generous, open and with long fine tannins to ensure it will age gracefully over 10 to 15 years.
The DR3 x St Hugo South Australia Shiraz 2020 is the product of individually created parcels sourced from a range of South Australian regions, matured in oak for 14 months, then blended. Dark berry fruits that ooze generosity belie the classical fine structure that underpins this elegant and expressive modern example of South Australian Shiraz.
Each bottle of the limited edition second release of DR3 x St Hugo will be individually numbered and presented in a newly designed collectable premium gift box; 750ml bottles as well as inaugural large formats perfect for long-term cellaring.
The DR3 x St Hugo wines and Ricciardo Decanter are available to buy online in Australia from 4 April 2022. Sign up for information on releases and order.