LAKE BLUFF: When hard work meets good fortune the result is the Lucky Country wines, a new offering that defies the world's expectations for Australian wine.

Sourcing from prime growing regions and taking an artisanal approach to winemaking, the Lucky Country captures the fresh-faced beauty and lively spirit that earned Australia its "Lucky Country" nickname—and does so at a competitive price and in stylish packaging that is in stark contrast to the mass-produced "critter labels" that have dominated the market.

"The Lucky Country represents a revolution in Australian wine," said Terlato Wines International President Bill Terlato, whose company will market and sell the Lucky Country in the United States. "These wines are sophisticated yet approachable, made by real people taking pride in what they do. It's proof that you can make a value-priced wine with heart and character."

While Lucky Country hits the market with a McLaren Vale Shiraz (SRP: $19) and Barossa Chardonnay (SRP: $16), the brand plans to evolve to add other varietals that meet the same high standards.

"I just don't get robotic winemaking," says Lucky Country owner Michael Twelftree. "Where is the excitement in picking the vineyard by some lab analysis, batching everything in a 40-ton computerized roto-fermenter, adding boat loads of tartaric acid, bag tannin, oak chips, enzymes and yeast, pressing the hell out of it and then whacking it in a bottle six months later?"

By contrast, Lucky Country Shiraz is made in a simple, natural fashion, with individual parcels of fruit fermented, pressed and barreled separately until blending just prior to bottling. Minimally fined and unfiltered, the wine starts out layered and concentrated, then reveals a much softer side on the finish.

The Lucky Country Chardonnay was cool-fermented in stainless steel to dryness and then sat on yeast lees for approximately three months to add texture. With a lovely citrusy lemon burst that powers the fruit effortlessly to a nice round and soft finish, this is a style of Chardonnay that will be best drunk from a cool ice bucket all summer long.

While what's in the bottle is of primary importance, of course, the uniquely Australian nature of the Lucky Country wines is reflected in the stunning packaging, featuring iconic homegrown imagery by veteran photographer Don Brice. Brice's moody, evocative Lucky Country photos were taken using simple antique film cameras made of cheap plastic, cameras sold in the 1960s as children's toys. The resulting images, like wine itself, carry more than a whiff of alchemy and originality.

As for kangaroos, emus or penguins, you won't find them here. Lucky Country's aim is to invigorate and reengineer this Australian segment with personally made, high-quality wines—without a critter in sight.

Terlato Wines International has a global portfolio of more than 50 brands from a host of world class wine producers and presently markets more than one out of eight bottles of wine over $14 sold in America. Terlato, with more 90+ ratings than any wine company in the world, is the flagship company of the Terlato Wine Group, the parent company of several independent businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. Owned and operated by the Terlato family, the Group also includes the family's winery investments and partnerships in some of the world's most esteemed wine regions, including: Napa Valley; Sonoma County; Santa Barbara County; Victoria, Australia; the Rhone Valley in France; and Montalcino, Italy.

The Terlato Wines International portfolio of brands includes: Napa Valley: Brandlin, Chimney Rock, Cuvaison Estate Wines, Jack Nicklaus Wines, Luke Donald Collection, Markham Vineyards, Rutherford Hill, Tangley Oaks and Terlato Family Vineyards; Sonoma County: Alderbrook, Hanna, Rochioli and Terlato Family Vineyards; Santa Barbara County: Sanford and Tangley Oaks; California Appellation: Glass Mountain and Seven Daughters; Oregon: Sokol Blosser; Italy: Baglio di Pianetto, Ca' del Bosco, Ca' Marcanda (Gaja Toscana), Florio Martinez Marsala, Gaja, Il Poggione, Kettmeir, MAZZONI (Toscana), Santa Margherita, Tiramisu, Torresella and Distillatori Nonino (Grappa); France: Champagne Bollinger, Domaine Chanson, M. Chapoutier, Josmeyer, Langlois-Chateau and Mischief and Mayhem; Australia: Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier, Domaine Tournon and Two Hands; Argentina: Tamari; Canada: Peller Estates Icewine; Greece: Boutari; New Zealand: Wairau River; South Africa: Anthonij Rupert, Cirrus, Guardian Peak, Engelbrecht-Els, Ernie Els Signature and Rust En Vrede; Spain: Olvena; Switzerland: Xellent Swiss Vodka.; Japan: Shimizu-No-Mai Sake.

For more information, visit www.terlatowines.com.

SOURCE Terlato Wines International