Feature Winery: Nova Vita

NOVA VITA

Region: Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Family Owned: Mark (pictured) & Joanne Kozned (and The Kids - 4 teenagers!)

Chief Winemakers: Mark Kozned and Chris Parsons 

Winery Dog: Monti, she loves a good run around the vineyard

Established : 2000 

Certified sustainable winery, producing vegan friendly wines 

After more than 12 years of living overseas in New York and working in the Merchant Banking sector, Mark & Joanne decided to return to South Adelaide to start a family....and establish Nova Vita.

NOVA VITA means New Life in Latin.

Their logo is in the shape of a New Dawn rising. 

This especially rings true as Nova Vita were hit by bushfires in December 2019 - followed by the year that was 2020! However, they are tenacious, resilient and have recovered, regrown and rebuilt. 

The Nova Vita team have learnt along the way to build better, stronger, sustainable vineyards and are working to reduce their carbon footprint. They are a certified sustainable winery and produce vegan friendly wines.

Family owned by Mark and Joanne Kozned (and the Kids) they are bringing new life to wine and to the Northern end of the Adelaide Hills. 

The Vineyards  

Nova Vita own two vineyards both at the northern end of the Cool Climate wine region of the Adelaide Hills, South Australia 

Woodlands Ridge Vineyard @ Kenton Valley  

This was originally their white vineyard and holds 25 hectares of lovely rolling plains, drenched in gorgeous sunlight. From this vineyard they did yield Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gruner Veltliner and some Shiraz.

In 2019 the Cudlee Creek fire burnt 80% of this vineyard, however, they have now replanted and repaired it as part of the rebuild and have been able to rethink and plant new varietals for their future Project K wines. This includes Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Gewurztraminer, Riesling and Montepulciano – all in small batches.  

The Woodlands Ridge Vineyard is the future home for their cellar door, which was going to be built in 2020, but due to the bushfire and COVID this project has been placed on hold. 

Tunnel Hill Vineyard  @ Forreston  

A little further north of Kenton Valley, their Tunnel Hill vineyard has both steep and rolling hills that are the homes to their Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir and some Sauvignon Blanc vines.

This 17 hectare vineyard was once a fruit orchard in the 1850’s 

The Wines 

Firebird  

The Firebird range of wines produces grapes for Sparkling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir , Sauvignon Blanc , Pinot Gris , Gruner Veltliner, Chardonnay, Rose, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

In 2019 this range was reborn, with the bright and fresh looking firebird on the label

• Vegan Friendly 
• Minimal Sulphites 
• Estate grown 
• Grown using Organic practices (not certified and can't be due to the cool wet climate of the Adelaide Hills) 

Project K – Natural Wine 

Project K started as Nova Vita's experimental foray into natural wines, however, has since become an award winning sell out range. 2019 saw the first release of two wines and 2021 will see Nova Vita release two new Project K wines in June, followed by a new and different third wine in September. 

The Project K range are:

• Vegan Friendly 
• Unfiltered 
• Minimal Sulphites 
• Handpicked 
• Indigenous yeasts 
• Co-ferment 
• Small batch, low volumes
• Sustainable 

The GTR: Gris, Traminer, Riesling – Silver Medal, Adelaide Hills wine show 

The SPN: Shiraz, Pinot Noir – Silver Medal, Adelaide Hills Wine Show 

GK   

The GK range is named in honour of the owner, Mark Kozned's father George Kozned. 

This wine has largely been Nova Vita's export brand to the world, however, Drinks Trolley are lucky enough to get this exceptional wine at very affordable prices for our wonderful customers.

2018 GK  ‘Get Away’ Sauvignon Blanc – Bronze Medal, Adelaide Hills Wine Show  

2018 GK ‘ Breathe Easy’ Pinot Gris – Bronze Medal, Adelaide Hills Wine Show