Well-known winemaker Natasha Mooney, who for several years has guided the steadily improving fortunes of Barossa Valley Estate, has jumped ship to join new hip winemaker NXG, brainchild of Sam Atkins and David Cumming. NXG, an unlikely acronym for Next Generation Wines, sources from several regions, although it is based at Lyndoch in the Barossa Valley. It’s key brand is Vin Five, ‘inspired by the provocative, yet environmentally aware philosophy that the wines evolved as a result of the culmination of four elements – earth, air, fire and water’. In case you’re wondering what the fifth element is – it’s wine, which Sam and David at NXG liken to a soul or spirit, and reckon is a creation of the other four. Yet, there’s more. Over to David, who just happens to be the marketing guy: ‘The brand highlights the link that the wine has with the earth and its forces. This issue of environmental sustainability is very relevant to us and other Gen Xers. Whilst there are many wines that have been inspired by the local creek or hill (or that’s what their marketing guys would have us believe… ed.), we have taken a more holistic view. Our research has shown us the Gen X wine drinkers are looking to discover alternative and relevant brands. They are very environmentally aware. The issue of sustainability and the consequences of our actions on the elements is a key issue for our generation.’ At present, you need to live in the UK to experience Vin Five and its message, but David Cummings says that NXG will announce a cause-related endeavour in the environmental area – probably related to the River Murray – once its wines are released in Australia.
