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They are believed to be relatives of elves or fairies, similar to humans in appearance and behaviour, but living in a parallel world within nature.
They are often associated with the natural world, particularly rocks and hills, and are seen as both protectors and potential tricksters. They are said to live in nature, engaging in activities like farming, fishing, and raising families.
Down in the Huon Valley in the deep south of Tasmania, winemakers Paul and Gilli Lipscombe from Sailor Seeks Horse pay tribute to Huldufólk with their small-batch chardonnay and pinot noir named after the creatures.
And there is a real link: Paul's father, who runs seafood shops in the UK, has had many business dealings with Iceland, where he sources cod and haddock, and Paul frequently visited Iceland as as a child.
Last night we re-tasted the 2023 Huldufólk Pinot Noir ($120), estate grown, and made, and it was looking superb.
Their notes say "textural, plush, so much calmness, effortless", and that is spot on.
There is a lot going on on the palate, but the wine's complexity is matched by its composure and serenity."
A glass or two might well take your stress away.
A glass or two might well take your stress away.
The couple worked in the Languedoc and Margaret River - and made wine for Home Hill - deciding the cool Huon might be the best place in Australia to make top-notch chardonnay and pinot.
They took over an overgrown old vineyard at Cradoc, remediated it by hand, planted some more vines and paid attention to clonal selection. .
"Neither too dry nor too wet, too warm nor too cold and with two of the most awarded vineyards in Tasmania (Elsewhere and Home Hill), the industry had barely scratched the surface of the myriad of microclimates within the valley," they say on their website.
" Within a few weeks of arriving, we stumbled upon a dilapidated 6.5ha vineyard, planted in 2005 and then walked away from. Opportunity beckoned. North-east-facing slope, sheltered from the prevailing cold south-westerly and planted to six different clones of Pinot; perfect.
"Half the vines were dead, blackberry above our heads and about one hundred trees littered the vineyard; not-so-perfect.
"But it wouldn’t be satisfying if it wasn’t challenging. That was one of the reasons we decided to change our lives. If you love what you do and have a plan, then it doesn’t matter what the challenges are, they are surmountable and all-the-more rewarding."
The Sailor Seeks Horse wines frequently sell out within months of release - and are much sought after by key restaurants and wine bars on the mainland.
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