STELLA BELLA 
Margaret River / Western Australia

James Halliday Wine Companion 2008

Stella Bella Wines is a small, privately owned wine company, located in the Margaret River region of Western Australia, making wines under the quixotic brand names of Stella Bella, Suckfizzle and Skuttlebutt.

While the brands are differentiated by sub-regions, vineyards, style, price and curious names, the objective is always to create wines of expression, personality and interest with an emphasis on unique imaging. And the Stella Bella name is more than just a name or a wine – it is an expression, a passion, and a summation of things bright, spirited and beautiful.

At Stella Bella, there is a strong belief in the essential substance of wine always being of the grapes. As such, fruit power is the footprint of this wine company’s style, particularly with their premium Suckfizzle range. The intent of Suckfizzle is to retain in winemaking the fruit character that each vintage brings. Such character is determined by the maturing vines, the seasonal lottery and the honing of viticultural and winemaking skills on the lessons of vintages past.

The name, Suckfizzle, is drawn from the unique tales of Rabelais (1490 to 1553), the 15th century French monk and medico, who turned to writing and penned the infamous character, the Great Lord Suckfizzle. Whilst earthy and a touch coarse, Rabelais’ tales were in truth the parody of medieval literature and learning. Yet apart from this “tongue in cheek” nature, Rabelais writings could be enjoyed for their sheer mastery of language. And alike, the wines of Suckfizzle can be relished for their quintessential fruit power and masterly winemaking. So just as Rabelais has become eponymous for his literary style, Suckfizzle is destined to become so for quality and character in wine.