This 20ha vineyard was planted on red clay loam soil at Woori Yallock in 2001 by Lou Primavera, with whom Giant Steps has a long-standing grape-supply relationship. Pinot Noir (114, MV6 and G8V3 clones) grown here on the north and north east facing slopes at 230m is noted for its complex structure and pronounced perfume. The 114 and MV6 are fermented as whole bunches in open vats, while the G8V3 is destemmed, given a long cold-soak and fermented separately to enhance its aromatic contribution. All ferments use indigenous yeasts and the whole-bunch components are periodically foot-stomped to release additional juice. The wines are pressed to 228 litre, French barriques (about 8% new) for 11 months before blending and bottling without fining or filtration.

A vintage defined by cool, wet conditions, low crops and harvesting late into autumn. The resulting wines have great depth of flavour and vibrant, balanced acidities. A traditional winemaking approach was used to produce this wine - whole berry bunch fermentation in open vessels for two weeks followed by a 10 month maturation in French oak.

Intense aromas of white pepper, cloves, cardamom pods, ginger, Damson plums with an underlying hum of stalky complexity. A fine acid line, chewy youthful tannins and high-tone oak define the palate supporting flavours of red and black fruits and subtle herbal, charred meats and sous-bois characters. Extremely deep and reverberative flavourful finish that lingers long. This wine is suitable for vegans.

Dark brooding intensely varietal fruit characters showcasing signature aromas of cassis, anise, sarsaparilla, chocolate and freshly-ground coffee underpinned by typically classic herbal notes. Subtle structural palate with slow-building fruit washing over the bed of youthful chalky tannins. Red currant, cocoa nib and charry oak characters feature with a Chinotto-like flavour on the long-drawn finish. This wine is suitable for vegans.

This block of D2V5 clone has long proven an integral component of our Estate Pinot Noir blend, consistently contributing a light touch of prettiness, perfume and poise to marry with the routinely more robust elements provided by our MV6 clonal blocks. As an extension of our explorations into the possibilities of future ‘fits’ for our vineyard plantings in the face of the steadily evolving and warming climate, we are also delving into the world of clonal variation in Pinot Noir. Trial and subsequent selection of suitable clones beyond the omnipresent and, so far, unsurpassed Yarra Valley ‘workhorse’ MV6 clone may well throw a lifeline in extending the ongoing viability of this noble variety on the Valley floor. As a first step in this process, we chose to feature the north facing D2V5 clone as a singular wine. This wine walks a tense line between savoury and sweet-fruited characters. It bears a brightness of colour with an intensity of varietal fruit. Aromas of black cherry and char, rose petals and baked clay abound, with darker elements of clove, nutmeg, coffee and damp earth. The palate features flavours of sarsaparilla, Aleppo pepper, and porcini mushroom powder. Miso and cocoa nib surf a subliminal stemmy note. Clonal particularity accentuated by a soft guiding hand in the winemaking delivers a promising steppingstone in a future represent for this clone in our closely entwined Yarra Valley floor climatic and clonal future.

Coldstream Hills was established in 1985 by James and Suzanne Halliday and has always produced a benchmark cool-climate Pinot Noir. This beautifully textured wine boasts rich flavours of dark cherries, pepper and foresty notes, with a long and toasty finish.

This is a very affordable Pinot from the highly regarded Tarrawarra winery with fruit sourced from the estate and the hills of southern NSW. A well made Pinot with good fruit depth and varietal flavour.

Look forward to strawberries, spices, herbs, bay leaves, and cassis on the nose – with a lovely vibrant intensity of red fruits on the palate. "Callie Jemmeson believes that winemaking doesn’t have to have barriers: what it does need is quality, focus and a destination. With a strong emphasis on vineyard selection and a gentle approach to their small-batch winemaking," Halliday.

Halliday Wine Companion described this as "One of those wines that, when you drink your last bottle 6–10 years from now, you'll wish you had more of". We reckon that pretty much hits the nail on the head, complex and brooding yet bright and light-footed. Too good to drink, too good not to. A blessing and a curse! A 95pt Halliday rating and 4.1 Vivino score confirm what we already suspected, both reviewers and punters are falling in love with this wine left, right and centre. Jump on it while you can, these never last long. 2023 was a bit of a ripper vintage, for the Yarra at least, and the result is soft yet generous pinot noir with wonderfully crisp acidity and enduring fruit. Think ripe cherries and fresh strawberries with an underlying earthiness and lingering velvety tannins. This has Yarra Valley pinot written all over it and with 2 or 3 years under its belt, this little number is raring and ready to go, with a loooooong life ahead of it.