The Next Era of Elegance
Introducing the 2021 Hungerford Hill Dalliance Rosé
A celebration of place, patience, and the joy of sharing good wine with good food and good people.
We’re thrilled to pop the cork on something (brand new and) truly special — the Hungerford Hill Dalliance Rosé.
Four years in the making, this 2021 vintage from Tumbarumba represents a new chapter in the Hungerford Hill story: one that’s confident, charismatic, elegant, and unmistakably us.
Crafted with care this sparkling wine captures the purity of cool-climate fruit, the refinement of traditional method winemaking, and the texture of time.
Our Chief Winemaker, Bryan Currie, shares how the dream began:
“When I first came to Hungerford Hill, there was only the Dalliance Sparkling. I’ve always wanted to explore a core sparkling range — because Tumbarumba is one of the premier sparkling regions in Australia – and we have plenty of its exceptional fruit on hand. This Rosé felt like the natural next step for us.”
Four Years in the Making
The 2021 Hungerford Hill Dalliance Rosé began in our high-altitude Tumbarumba vineyards, where cool mornings and long, even ripening seasons create fruit of exceptional finesse.
A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this wine was made in the traditional method — the same painstaking process used in Champagne.
Before secondary fermentation (where the magic bubbles are born), Bryan added a small portion of Pinot Noir red wine aged in barrel.
“That’s where the colour comes from,” he explains. “It started as a rather vibrant wine— but after four years aging on lees, the colour has gently softened. The wine is now a magnificent blushing bronze colour.”
The lees contact (the period when the wine rests in bottle - on the spent yeast cells) builds texture and depth. This extended aging is the key to the wine’s complexity (the charm). It creates that savouriness – and softens the acidity.
“We wanted to make something richer, more textural,” says Bryan. “There aren’t that many serious sparkling Rosés in Australia — this Rosé is serious. Seriously savoury, seriously structured. It’s not just a pretty pink wine – it’s a charismatic beauty (and built for food).”
Doing Something Different – The HH Way
We’ve been growing Tumbarumba fruit for over 35 years — so while this Rosé feels fresh and new, it’s also deeply connected to our roots. It’s about building on what we know, and what we do best (while having a bit of fun along the way).
“We’ll keep doing ad-hoc sparkling releases at Hungerford Hill — ‘one-off bubbles’, as I like to say,” he adds with a grin. “This new Rosé is about making our mark in that core sparkling offer. Creating something people can look forward to year after year. Make lasting memories with. Of course – it will still be a little different - letting each release tell its own story.”
This is a wine that’s as elegant as it is generous and charismatic. The pale bronze colour hints at delicacy, yet the flavour is full of character — red berry and brioche notes, a whisper of savoury depth, and a lingering, dry finish that leaves you wanting another sip.
Raise a Glass. Pass a Plate.
Pop one open for a toast, pour a glass just because, or serve it proudly alongside a meal — the Dalliance Rosé can do it all (with ease). It’s the kind of wine that brings people together, no matter the occasion.
“More and more people are drinking sparkling wines with food,” Bryan explains. “Rosé in particular has become incredibly popular because it bridges that gap — it’s bright and fresh, but also has enough weight to pair with some nosh.”
Perfect Pairings (and a Few of Bryan’s Favourites)
This sparkling is a social butterfly — it loves a toast, but it really comes alive when there’s food on the table. To help you get the most out of your bottle, Bryan’s shared a few of his go-to pairings that show just how versatile this beauty can be.
To help you make the most of the new release, Bryan offers a few favourite pairings:
Charcuterie & Cheese
A spread of prosciutto, salami, and soft cheeses is perfect. The saltiness of cured meats and the creaminess of the cheese play beautifully against the wine’s fine acid and savoury texture. Add a few pickled vegetables for a tangy treat, and you’re set.
Seafood & Summer Salads
This wine just sings with seafood. Try it with grilled prawns, seared scallops, or a citrusy fish salad. The bubbles lift the flavours, and the acidity keeps everything bright and fresh.
Light Meats & Shared Plates
For something a little heartier; roast chicken or pork with fennel, or even a duck and cherry salad. The Rosé holds its own against these lighter proteins, making it a surprisingly versatile food wine.
The HH Story Continues — with a Little More Sparkle
“From the vineyard to the bottle – this wine captures place, time, and texture. This is a wine that is designed to be shared, to be celebrated – and to be a main character. This wine is an invitation to slow down, laugh freely, and enjoy the beauty of good food, good company and great wine. Raise a glass! Enjoy!!!!”