Alpha Box & Dice is a modern, creative Australian wine project founded in 2008 by Dylan and Justin Fairweather in McLaren Vale, with winemaker Sam Berketa. Their philosophy rejects rigid boundaries of region, variety and style — they simply work with great fruit to produce unconventional, vibrant wines. “Italian Plastic” is one of their side‑projects, inspired by old-world sensibility applied in a fresh, modern Aussie context. The “Super Glou” bottling is made from Malbec, Arneis and Carignan, sourced from their vineyard sites in McLaren Vale and the Fleurieu Peninsula.

McLaren Vale, just south of Adelaide, is one of Australia’s most consistently high-quality wine regions, famed for richly flavoured yet poised reds. The climate is Mediterranean: warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. Crucially, the Gulf St Vincent lies on its doorstep, sending afternoon sea breezes that temper heat, while evening “gully winds” descending from the Mount Lofty Ranges enhance diurnal range and preserve freshness. Elevations from near sea level to over 300 metres, plus varied aspects, add further nuance to ripening.

Geology here is famously complex and ancient. Vineyards sit on a mosaic of sandy and loamy soils, red and brown clays, ironstone gravels, terra rossa over limestone, and free-draining coastal sands (notably in Blewitt Springs). These differences translate directly into style—from perfumed, fine-boned reds on sand to denser, more structural wines on clay and ironstone.

Shiraz is the regional flag-bearer, ranging from plush, dark-fruited and chocolate-tinged to more savoury, peppery expressions in cooler, higher sites. Old-vine Grenache thrives, delivering fragrant, medium-bodied wines and forming the backbone of many GSM blends with Mourvèdre. Cabernet Sauvignon offers a firmer, mint-flecked counterpoint. Embracing its climate, McLaren Vale also excels with Mediterranean varieties: Fiano, Vermentino and Grenache Blanc for vibrant, saline whites; Tempranillo, Sangiovese and Nero d’Avola for bright, food-friendly reds.

Malbec is a dark-skinned grape variety originally from southwestern France, particularly Cahors, where it was historically known as “Côt.” Once widely grown throughout Bordeaux as a blending grape, its plantings in France declined due to susceptibility to frost, coulure, and disease. However, Malbec found a new home in Argentina, where it has become the country’s flagship variety.

Viticulturally, Malbec thrives in warm, sunny climates with significant diurnal temperature variation, which helps develop rich fruit flavours while preserving acidity. The grape is vigorous, with large berries and thin skins, making it prone to rot in humid conditions but capable of producing deeply coloured wines in dry environments.

Globally, Malbec is most famously planted in Argentina’s Mendoza region, where high-altitude vineyards produce intensely flavoured wines with smooth tannins. It is also cultivated in Cahors, Chile, the United States (notably California and Washington), Australia, and South Africa.

In style, Malbec ranges from the rustic, tannic, and earthy examples of Cahors to the plush, fruit-forward wines of Mendoza. Typical flavours include ripe black plum, blackberry, and blueberry, often accented by cocoa, violet, and spice notes. Well-made Malbecs are full-bodied, with deep colour, supple texture, and a crowd-pleasing balance of fruit richness and structure.

Carignan, also known as Mazuelo in Spain and Cariñena in its native Aragon, is a dark-skinned grape variety with a long history in the Mediterranean. Thought to have originated in the Cariñena region of northeastern Spain, it spread widely across southern France, where it became a key blending grape in Languedoc-Roussillon. The vine is vigorous and late-ripening, thriving in warm, dry climates. It is well-suited to poor, stony soils and exhibits a degree of drought resistance, but requires careful vineyard management to control yields and avoid overly rustic tannins.

Today, significant plantings are found in Spain (particularly Rioja, where it is known as Mazuelo), southern France, Sardinia (as Carignano), and parts of North and South America, notably Chile and California. Old-vine Carignan, often dry-farmed, can produce wines of remarkable depth and character.

Traditionally, Carignan was valued for its high acidity, deep colour, and firm tannins, making it ideal in blends with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. In skilled hands, especially from older vines, varietal bottlings can display flavours of dark cherry, blackberry, plum, and spice, with herbal and earthy notes. Styles range from robust, rustic reds to fresher, more elegant expressions, often marked by vibrant acidity and a savoury, Mediterranean character.

Arneis is a white grape variety originating from the Piedmont region of north-west Italy, particularly associated with the hills of Roero, where it has been cultivated for centuries. Its name means “little rascal” in the local dialect, a reference to its reputation for being difficult to grow due to low natural acidity and a tendency to produce low yields. Historically, Arneis was often blended with Nebbiolo to soften tannins, but today it is valued as a varietal wine in its own right.

Viticulturally, Arneis requires careful management, as it is prone to disease and can lose aromatic freshness if harvested too late. When handled well, it produces wines of notable character, balancing moderate body with expressive aromatics.

While its heartland remains in Piedmont, small plantings can also be found in California, Australia and New Zealand, reflecting international interest in distinctive Italian white varieties.

The classic style of Arneis is dry, fresh and fragrant, with aromas of pear, peach, apricot and white flowers, often complemented by subtle almond or herbal notes. On the palate, it typically shows soft texture, low to moderate acidity and a lingering, slightly bitter finish. These qualities make Arneis an appealing alternative to more familiar international white grapes.

Malbec is a dark-skinned grape variety originally from southwestern France, particularly Cahors, where it was historically known as “Côt.” Once widely grown throughout Bordeaux as a blending grape, its plantings in France declined due to susceptibility to frost, coulure, and disease. However, Malbec found a new home in Argentina, where it has become the country’s flagship variety.

Viticulturally, Malbec thrives in warm, sunny climates with significant diurnal temperature variation, which helps develop rich fruit flavours while preserving acidity. The grape is vigorous, with large berries and thin skins, making it prone to rot in humid conditions but capable of producing deeply coloured wines in dry environments.

Globally, Malbec is most famously planted in Argentina’s Mendoza region, where high-altitude vineyards produce intensely flavoured wines with smooth tannins. It is also cultivated in Cahors, Chile, the United States (notably California and Washington), Australia, and South Africa.

In style, Malbec ranges from the rustic, tannic, and earthy examples of Cahors to the plush, fruit-forward wines of Mendoza. Typical flavours include ripe black plum, blackberry, and blueberry, often accented by cocoa, violet, and spice notes. Well-made Malbecs are full-bodied, with deep colour, supple texture, and a crowd-pleasing balance of fruit richness and structure.

Carignan, also known as Mazuelo in Spain and Cariñena in its native Aragon, is a dark-skinned grape variety with a long history in the Mediterranean. Thought to have originated in the Cariñena region of northeastern Spain, it spread widely across southern France, where it became a key blending grape in Languedoc-Roussillon. The vine is vigorous and late-ripening, thriving in warm, dry climates. It is well-suited to poor, stony soils and exhibits a degree of drought resistance, but requires careful vineyard management to control yields and avoid overly rustic tannins.

Today, significant plantings are found in Spain (particularly Rioja, where it is known as Mazuelo), southern France, Sardinia (as Carignano), and parts of North and South America, notably Chile and California. Old-vine Carignan, often dry-farmed, can produce wines of remarkable depth and character.

Traditionally, Carignan was valued for its high acidity, deep colour, and firm tannins, making it ideal in blends with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. In skilled hands, especially from older vines, varietal bottlings can display flavours of dark cherry, blackberry, plum, and spice, with herbal and earthy notes. Styles range from robust, rustic reds to fresher, more elegant expressions, often marked by vibrant acidity and a savoury, Mediterranean character.

Arneis is a white grape variety originating from the Piedmont region of north-west Italy, particularly associated with the hills of Roero, where it has been cultivated for centuries. Its name means “little rascal” in the local dialect, a reference to its reputation for being difficult to grow due to low natural acidity and a tendency to produce low yields. Historically, Arneis was often blended with Nebbiolo to soften tannins, but today it is valued as a varietal wine in its own right.

Viticulturally, Arneis requires careful management, as it is prone to disease and can lose aromatic freshness if harvested too late. When handled well, it produces wines of notable character, balancing moderate body with expressive aromatics.

While its heartland remains in Piedmont, small plantings can also be found in California, Australia and New Zealand, reflecting international interest in distinctive Italian white varieties.

The classic style of Arneis is dry, fresh and fragrant, with aromas of pear, peach, apricot and white flowers, often complemented by subtle almond or herbal notes. On the palate, it typically shows soft texture, low to moderate acidity and a lingering, slightly bitter finish. These qualities make Arneis an appealing alternative to more familiar international white grapes.

Malbec is a dark-skinned grape variety originally from southwestern France, particularly Cahors, where it was historically known as “Côt.” Once widely grown throughout Bordeaux as a blending grape, its plantings in France declined due to susceptibility to frost, coulure, and disease. However, Malbec found a new home in Argentina, where it has become the country’s flagship variety.

Viticulturally, Malbec thrives in warm, sunny climates with significant diurnal temperature variation, which helps develop rich fruit flavours while preserving acidity. The grape is vigorous, with large berries and thin skins, making it prone to rot in humid conditions but capable of producing deeply coloured wines in dry environments.

Globally, Malbec is most famously planted in Argentina’s Mendoza region, where high-altitude vineyards produce intensely flavoured wines with smooth tannins. It is also cultivated in Cahors, Chile, the United States (notably California and Washington), Australia, and South Africa.

In style, Malbec ranges from the rustic, tannic, and earthy examples of Cahors to the plush, fruit-forward wines of Mendoza. Typical flavours include ripe black plum, blackberry, and blueberry, often accented by cocoa, violet, and spice notes. Well-made Malbecs are full-bodied, with deep colour, supple texture, and a crowd-pleasing balance of fruit richness and structure.

Carignan, also known as Mazuelo in Spain and Cariñena in its native Aragon, is a dark-skinned grape variety with a long history in the Mediterranean. Thought to have originated in the Cariñena region of northeastern Spain, it spread widely across southern France, where it became a key blending grape in Languedoc-Roussillon. The vine is vigorous and late-ripening, thriving in warm, dry climates. It is well-suited to poor, stony soils and exhibits a degree of drought resistance, but requires careful vineyard management to control yields and avoid overly rustic tannins.

Today, significant plantings are found in Spain (particularly Rioja, where it is known as Mazuelo), southern France, Sardinia (as Carignano), and parts of North and South America, notably Chile and California. Old-vine Carignan, often dry-farmed, can produce wines of remarkable depth and character.

Traditionally, Carignan was valued for its high acidity, deep colour, and firm tannins, making it ideal in blends with Grenache, Syrah, and Mourvèdre. In skilled hands, especially from older vines, varietal bottlings can display flavours of dark cherry, blackberry, plum, and spice, with herbal and earthy notes. Styles range from robust, rustic reds to fresher, more elegant expressions, often marked by vibrant acidity and a savoury, Mediterranean character.

Arneis is a white grape variety originating from the Piedmont region of north-west Italy, particularly associated with the hills of Roero, where it has been cultivated for centuries. Its name means “little rascal” in the local dialect, a reference to its reputation for being difficult to grow due to low natural acidity and a tendency to produce low yields. Historically, Arneis was often blended with Nebbiolo to soften tannins, but today it is valued as a varietal wine in its own right.

Viticulturally, Arneis requires careful management, as it is prone to disease and can lose aromatic freshness if harvested too late. When handled well, it produces wines of notable character, balancing moderate body with expressive aromatics.

While its heartland remains in Piedmont, small plantings can also be found in California, Australia and New Zealand, reflecting international interest in distinctive Italian white varieties.

The classic style of Arneis is dry, fresh and fragrant, with aromas of pear, peach, apricot and white flowers, often complemented by subtle almond or herbal notes. On the palate, it typically shows soft texture, low to moderate acidity and a lingering, slightly bitter finish. These qualities make Arneis an appealing alternative to more familiar international white grapes.