Konpira Maru

Konpira Maru is an Australian wine company founded in 2014 by two friends, Alastair Reed and Sam Cook. Their journey began with the simple goal of creating delicious, affordable, and highly drinkable wines—the kind they wanted to enjoy themselves without breaking the bank.

Here's a breakdown of what makes Konpira Maru unique:

• Philosophy: Their motto is "minimal intervention, maximum care." They are dedicated to producing natural, "lo-fi" wines with a focus on affordability and approachability. The goal is to make wines that are fun and easy to drink, rather than something to be overly analyzed.

• Wines and Style: Konpira Maru's wines are known for being adventurous, with a range that includes everything from pét-nats and "skinsy orange things" to chillable reds. They often use unique grape blends and are not afraid to experiment. Their wines are fermented with wild yeast, and they use little to no additions.

• Vineyards and Regions: While they started by sourcing fruit from various trusted growers across Australia, they have since purchased their own vineyard in Whitlands, a high-altitude subregion of the King Valley in Victoria.They also continue to work with growers in other regions, including the Granite Belt in Queensland and Kilmore in Victoria, allowing them to work with a diverse range of grape varieties. They are known for working with both well-known and lesser-known varieties, including Nero d'Avola, Sagrantino, Vermentino, and Dolcetto.

• Branding and Naming: The name "Konpira Maru" comes from the fishing boat on the Japanese game show Ninja Warrior, a tribute to Makoto Nagano, the "World's Strongest Fisherman" on the show. This playful and irreverent spirit is reflected in the names of their wines, which often have pop culture references, such as "Admiral Ackbar" and "Gymkata."