Arinto and Alvarinho: Rutherglen’s Best Kept Secret

When most people think of Rutherglen, they think of Muscat, Durif and big, bold fortified wines. And rightly so. But there is another story growing quietly on our estate, one that started with a question Natasha Killeen began asking more than a decade ago: what white wine varieties could thrive here as the climate warms?

The answer came from Portugal.

In 2015, Stanton & Killeen planted Arinto and Alvarinho on our Rutherglen estate. Both are ancient Portuguese white varieties that have been grown on the Iberian Peninsula for centuries. Our first vintage was 2018, and by 2019 both wines had taken trophies at multiple shows. They are now firmly part of our story, and we think it is time more people knew about them.

Why Portuguese Varieties in Rutherglen?

The decision was not arbitrary. Natasha researched extensively before settling on these varieties, looking specifically for grapes that could retain natural acidity in warm growing conditions, produce wines with genuine freshness and character, and thrive in a drier climate without the need for heavy irrigation or intervention.

Portugal was the natural place to look. The country has one of the most diverse collections of indigenous grape varieties in the world, many of them grown in warm, dry conditions not unlike Rutherglen’s. Arinto and Alvarinho stood out above all others: both naturally high in acidity, both heat-tolerant, and both capable of producing wines of genuine elegance even in a long, warm growing season.

A decade on, those instincts have proven correct. Both varieties have taken to Rutherglen’s red loam soils and continental climate with remarkable ease, producing wines that are genuinely distinctive and unlike anything else grown in the region.

Arinto: The Vibrant One

What is Arinto?

Arinto is the most widely grown white variety in Portugal, cultivated throughout the country and celebrated for two things above all: its naturally high acidity and its extraordinary ability to retain freshness even in hot, dry growing conditions. While other white varieties can lose their acidity and brightness in warm climates, Arinto holds its nerve. It is one of the varieties specifically identified as capable of thriving through heatwaves, which makes it particularly well suited to the future of Australian winemaking.

In Portugal, Arinto is used both as a varietal wine and as a blending component, where it adds acidity and a steely backbone to other varieties. It produces wines with zingy citrus aromatics and a mineral-driven character that Australian winemakers have been quick to recognise and embrace.

Despite its obvious suitability for Australian conditions, Arinto has stayed surprisingly under the radar here until recently. At the end of 2019 there were just seven producers in Australia growing it. By 2026 that number had grown to 27, a rapid acceleration that reflects how quickly the wine community is waking up to what this variety can do. Stanton & Killeen was among the earliest adopters, planting in 2015 and releasing our first vintage in 2018.

What Does Arinto Taste Like?

Pale straw in colour with hues of green, Arinto lifts from the glass with lime zest, nashi pear and fresh citrus. Crisp and lively on the palate, its zesty acidity carries the bright fruit while a slightly waxy texture lends a smooth, rounded mouthfeel. A thread of minerality runs through the wine from start to finish, adding complexity before a clean and refreshing close.

It is a wine that is equally enjoyable on its own as it is at the table. Its freshness, texture and personality make it one of the most versatile whites we produce.

2026 Arinto: Winemaking

Estate grown and made to showcase the variety’s natural brightness, the 2026 Arinto is crafted with minimal intervention. The fruit and mineral drive are allowed to lead, resulting in a vibrant, well-balanced white full of energy and character. Now in its ninth vintage, this wine continues to show just how well Arinto has settled into the Rutherglen terroir.

Food Pairing: Arinto

A brilliant match for fresh seafood, grilled fish, oysters, grilled chicken or summery salads. The acidity and citrus character also make it an excellent aperitif. Think of it as the wine you open when the weather turns warm and you want something bright, clean and alive in your glass.

Shop the 2026 Arinto at stantonandkilleen.com.au.

Alvarinho: The Elegant One

What is Alvarinho? And What is the Difference Between Alvarinho and Albaríno?

This is where it gets interesting. Alvarinho and Albaríno are the same grape variety, simply known by different names on either side of the Spanish-Portuguese border. Alvarinho is the Portuguese name, used in the northern Minho region where the variety forms the backbone of the celebrated Vinho Verde wines. Albaríno is the Spanish name, used in the Rías Baixas region of Galicia. Wine writer Jancis Robinson argues that Alvarinho is the more historically correct name, as the variety most likely originated in Portugal.

In Australia, the story of this variety is more complicated. Early attempts to introduce Albaríno to Australia in the early 2000s ran into a significant problem: in 2009 it was confirmed that vines supplied by Spanish authorities in 1989 had been misidentified, and what Australian producers thought was Albaríno was in fact a completely different variety, Savagnin. It was a costly and embarrassing mix-up that set the variety back by years and left many growers understandably cautious.

Over the past decade, a growing number of Australian producers have sourced verified true Alvarinho material and are now making wines from the real thing. Stanton & Killeen planted our verified Alvarinho in 2015, and with 17 producers now growing it across Australia, the variety is finally getting the attention it deserves.

What Does Alvarinho Taste Like?

The 2026 Alvarinho (pronounced al-va-reen-yo) pours pale yellow with a youthful green tint. The nose is fragrant and inviting, with nectarine, lime and honeysuckle to the fore. Light-bodied and crisp, it moves across the palate with lively acidity and a well-balanced, aromatic drive. The finish lingers long, closing with a flash of lime zest and a whisper of saline minerality that gives the wine a distinctly coastal character despite being grown well inland.

Alvarinho is a highly aromatic variety, its character often compared to Viognier but with considerably less weight and far more freshness. It is approachable, vibrant and deeply satisfying.

2026 Alvarinho: Winemaking

Now approaching a decade on our estate, Alvarinho was first planted here in 2015 alongside Arinto. The 2026 season delivered beautifully balanced fruit with lifted aromatics and natural freshness. Made with minimal intervention to let the variety speak for itself, the result is a distinctive white of real elegance and vibrancy, alive with varietal character.

Food Pairing: Alvarinho

Alvarinho’s vibrant acidity and aromatic character make it a natural companion for seafood: think fresh oysters, grilled prawns, sashimi or a simple plate of grilled fish with lemon. It also works beautifully alongside light Asian dishes, goat’s cheese and summery antipasto. Or simply pour it cold on a warm afternoon and let it do the talking.

Shop the 2026 Alvarinho at stantonandkilleen.com.au.

Award-Winning from the Start

When Natasha & Wendy planted these varieties in 2015, she was taking a genuine risk. Portuguese white varieties in Rutherglen had never been done at this scale, and there was no local template to follow. The 2019 vintage, just our second release of both wines, answered any remaining questions: both the 2019 Arinto and 2019 Alvarinho took trophies at multiple shows, confirming that these varieties had found a genuine home.

They have continued to perform strongly in competition ever since, and remain two of the most exciting and distinctive wines in the Stanton & Killeen range

Arinto vs Alvarinho: How to Tell Them Apart

Both are pale, fresh and vibrant with natural acidity, so how do you choose? Here is a simple guide:

Choose Arinto if: you want something zesty, citrus-driven and mineral. Arinto has more of a limey, waxy texture and a bright, energetic character that makes it the crisper of the two.

Choose Alvarinho if: you want something more fragrant and aromatic. Alvarinho is floral and stone-fruited, with nectarine and honeysuckle on the nose and a slightly rounder, more elegant palate.

Choose both if: you want to understand what makes Rutherglen’s white wine story so interesting. Tasted side by side, these two wines show just how much variety and character this region is capable of beyond Muscat and Durif.

Taste Them at Stanton & Killeen

Both the 2026 Arinto and 2026 Alvarinho are currently available to taste at our Rutherglen cellar door, open seven days a week. They are also available online at stantonandkilleen.com.au.

If you have not tried either of these varieties before, we encourage you to start with both. They are two of the most distinctive and rewarding whites being made in Rutherglen right now, and we think you will be pleasantly surprised by what they do.