Organic Hill Preservative Free Montepulciano 2024: Tasting Notes

WINE STYLE → Pasta’s Best Friend

A smooth, generous Montepulciano from Organic Hill’s preservative-free range, made with certified organic Riverland fruit and bottled without added preservatives. It has the bright colour and easy Italianate charm that makes Montepulciano such a natural table wine: cherry, chocolate and almond, with a medium to full-bodied palate, dry finish and soft, rounded tannins.

Highlights

• Certified organic, vegan suitable and no added preservative
• Crafted by Organic Hill — a South Australian producer focused on organic, vegan and preservative-free wines
• Cherry, chocolate, almond and smooth medium to full-bodied texture
• Montepulciano from Riverland, South Australia
• Producer notes for the 2023 release cite 93 Points Wine Orbit, 89 Points James Suckling and 92 Points Mike Bennie
• 14.5% ABV

Tasting Notes

Bright in colour, this Montepulciano opens with cherry, chocolate and a hint of almond. The palate is smooth, well-balanced and medium to full-bodied, with ripe red cherry fruit, cocoa warmth and a dry finish. Tannins are soft and rounded, making it an easy red for pasta, cheese, roasted meats and relaxed dinners.

Winemaking

This Montepulciano is made in Organic Hill’s preservative-free style, using certified organic fruit and bottled without added preservative sulphites. The wine is sealed under screwcap and made to retain its fresh cherry, chocolate and almond characters rather than relying on heavy oak or extended ageing. At 14.5% ABV, it carries generous flavour while staying smooth and approachable.

Vineyard & Vintage

The 2024 release comes from Riverland, South Australia, a warm inland region well suited to Mediterranean varieties such as Montepulciano. The variety naturally holds colour, flavour and freshness, which suits Organic Hill’s bright, no-added-preservative red wine style. The wine is dry, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL.

Why We Love It

This is a generous, easygoing alternative to Shiraz or Cabernet when you want a red that is smooth, food-friendly and a little more Italian in spirit. The cherry, chocolate and almond notes are comforting without being heavy, and the organic, vegan and no-added-preservative credentials make it a thoughtful everyday red.

Food Pairing

Montepulciano is made for the table, especially dishes with tomatoes, herbs, roasted vegetables, cheese, cured meats and gentle spice. The cherry and chocolate notes work beautifully with pasta sauces, eggplant, pork, fennel and pizza-style flavours.

Try matching this wine with →

• Spaghetti all’amatriciana or tomato chilli pasta — Find a Recipe
• Eggplant parmigiana with tomato and mozzarella — Find a Recipe
• Pork and fennel sausage ragù — Find a Recipe

Mood or occasion to match this wine…

Perfect for pasta night, pizza with friends, antipasto boards or an easy red beside a bowl of something tomato-rich and comforting. It is smooth enough for casual sipping, but happiest when there is food on the table.

Cellaring

Drink now to 2027 while the cherry, chocolate and almond notes are fresh and generous. It is designed for youthful drinking rather than long cellaring. Store it somewhere cool and dark, and avoid heat exposure because it is made without added preservatives.

Producer

Organic Hill is a South Australian producer with its vineyard and cellar door at 36 Twentyeight Road in McLaren Vale. Founded by Leon Hill, the brand focuses on organic, preservative-free and vegan wines made without added preservative sulphites, allergens or animal-derived agents. While this Montepulciano comes from Riverland fruit, it fits the producer’s broader philosophy: familiar, generous wines made with certified organic farming and a cleaner, more transparent approach for drinkers who want flavour without unnecessary additions.

Related Wines To Try →

If you enjoy smooth, food-friendly reds with cherry, spice and savoury depth, these bottles are well worth exploring:

• Supple McLaren Vale Touriga with intense berries and spice — Wild Folk Preservative Free Touriga
• Powerful biodynamic Durif with plum, violets and dark chocolate — Kalleske Buckboard Durif
• Same producer, bright organic Cabernet with blackberry and mint — Organic Hill Preservative Free Cabernet Sauvignon

FAQ

What does Organic Hill Preservative Free Montepulciano taste like?

It tastes smooth and generous, with cherry, chocolate and a hint of almond. The palate is medium to full-bodied and dry, with soft rounded tannins and an easy, balanced finish. It is a comforting red without heavy oak.

Is this Montepulciano dry, sweet or full-bodied?

This is a dry red wine, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. It sits between medium and full-bodied, with generous fruit and 14.5% alcohol. The cherry and chocolate notes give richness, but the wine itself is not sweet.

Does this wine contain preservatives or sulphites?

This wine is No Added Preservative, so sulphur dioxide has not been added during winemaking. Like all wine, it may still contain tiny amounts of naturally occurring sulphites from fermentation. It is also certified organic and vegan suitable.

How should I serve Organic Hill Montepulciano 2024?

Serve at around 16–18°C in a medium to large red wine glass. It does not need a long decant, but 10–15 minutes of air will help the cherry and almond notes open. A slight chill can also work well in warmer weather.

What food pairs well with this wine?

It pairs beautifully with pasta, pizza, antipasto, cheese, roasted meats and tomato-based dishes. The cherry and chocolate notes suit pork, fennel, lamb, mushrooms and eggplant. For a vegetarian match, try eggplant parmigiana or mushroom and tomato ragù.

Can this wine be cellared?

This Montepulciano is best enjoyed young and fresh, especially because it is made without added preservatives. Drink now to 2027 for the best balance of cherry fruit, chocolate and soft tannin. Store it somewhere cool, dark and stable.

Is this wine vegan friendly?

Yes, this wine is vegan suitable. It is also certified organic and made with no added preservatives. That makes it a strong choice for drinkers looking for a smooth, food-friendly red with cleaner credentials.

Who will enjoy this Montepulciano the most?

This is ideal for drinkers who enjoy smooth reds with cherry, chocolate and gentle savoury character. If you like medium to full-bodied Italian reds, softer Shiraz or fruit-driven alternative red varietals, this is a lovely option. It is also a good choice for anyone wanting an organic preservative-free red for pasta night.

How long will it last after opening?

As a no-added-preservative red, it is best enjoyed within 1–2 days of opening. Reseal the bottle and keep it in the fridge, then let it warm slightly before serving. The cherry and chocolate characters will be brightest on the first night.

Is this wine keto friendly?

Yes, it is dry and low in sugar, with approximately 2 g/L residual sugar and less than 1 gram of sugar per 100mL. That makes it suitable for many keto-conscious drinkers. Alcohol still counts, so enjoy it mindfully as part of your overall plan.

(SKU: OH_Mon_CV)