Jauma by James Erskine: Between 'fun wine' and 'fine wine'
With over a decade of experience and a focus on crafting wines from McLaren Vale using an all-organic approach, James Erskine and his label, Jauma, are no strangers to Australia's natural wine scene. In 2010, James Erskine joined the Australian gang Natural Selection Theory. It had a significant influence on the larger wine industry and helped establish the natural wine movement in Australia.
Image source: jauma.com
Where It Started: The Vineyard at Adelaide Hills
James and his wife Sophie planted their first vineyard together at his old cherry orchard in Lenswood, in the Adelaide Hills. Alongside their team, they planted Gewürztraminer, Savagnin, Chenin Blanc, and Cabernet Franc in a historic Adelaide Hills cherry orchard that has been certified organic for more than ten years.
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Organic winemaking using only grapes from McLaren Vale
The Australian wine scene lost one of its most decorated sommeliers but gained Jauma when James quit his job and founded his winery in 2010. His approach was straightforward — an all-organic method using only wild yeasts for fermentation, while minimizing additives and manipulations, apart from a tiny bit of sulfur added just before bottling. James’ philosophy is to craft distinctive, expressive wines that honor the site without relying on overbearing techniques or heavy extraction. He would dig his hands into the dirt, pulling up sand and rocks, as if he couldn’t get enough of the earth. His deep connection to the vineyard is reflected in his reluctance to interfere with the natural fermentation process in the cellar.
Image source: jauma.com
At Jauma, the earth—nature’s palette—transforms the grapes into stunning wine portraits on its own. This captures the essence of James’ belief: "A sense of place has the power to take you on a journey, and when the senses are enlivened, you realize anything is possible." James’ winemaking style is hard to pin down in just a few words, as he consistently blurs the line between ‘fun wine’ and ‘fine wine,’ creating wines that are elegant and well-made while remaining interesting and enjoyable.
Organic wine aging under crown seal
It’s also worth noting that all Jauma wines, both still and sparkling, are bottled under a crown seal. This allows for slower aging, and James simply prefers the look of these caps over screwcaps.
Where to buy natural wines in Malaysia
If you share the same the passion for unconventional wines that are lighter, more approachable, less extracted, and softer on the palate, James has got you covered with his wines. You can experience Jauma wines on our site now, so don’t miss out! www.vyne.my/jauma
