Sourced from a number of Yarra Valley vineyards, fermented in small batches with different treatments (carbonic maceration, partial whole-bunch and whole berry fermentations utilising optical sorting). 67% of the fruit comes from the valley floor and 33% from the Upper Yarra. The final blend equates to 15% whole bunches and 6% new oak, with the residual balance matured in French oak puncheons and barriques from 2nd to 4th fill. The wine saw four months on lees in barrel prior to bottling.

Crafted from three premium Yarra Valley sites, combining both MV6 and D2V4 (pommard) Pinot Noir clones. The first parcel was hand-picked on the 20th of February, with the final parcel coming in on the 1st of April. All batches were fermented wild utilising different ratios of whole-bunches, the final blend equating to 25%. Matured in French oak puncheons (30% new), where it saw 10 months élevage prior to bottling.

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.

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.

Established in 1995, Toolangi Vineyard is in the Yarra Valley adjoining the Toolangi State Forest. This single-site vineyard on fine clay loam produces wines with distinctive personalities, each wine showing a strong sense of place. The vines were cropped low, and the fruit was hand-harvested from 20-year-old vines of MV6 Pinot Noir clone. Fruit for the 2022 Pinot Noir was hand-picked on the 11th of March, The fruit was destemmed as whole berries, with 10% left as whole bunches. There was a short cold soak prior to fermentation and the wine was then left on skins for 21 days. It was then pressed to French barriques and puncheons (less than 10% new) for malolactic conversion and left on lees in oak for 10 months.

Sandro Mosele one of the great artisans with Pinot Noir is responsible for this fine example. Complex, gamey black cherry characters are interwoven with toasty oak in a wine of superb texture.

The wine is tightly packed full of black fruit, spice, cloves, and liquorice. The grape tannins are soft and are beautifully integrated into the wine, giving the wine structure and adding power, balance and a savoury richness. Adam Marks established Bress in 2001 with a desire to produce wines with fruit sourced from notable regions and minimal intervention.“We believe certain grape-growing regions are better suited to particular grape varieties than others,” says winemaker Adam Marks. “The French have understood this for several centuries and some Australian wine producers are now embracing this belief.” Bress, located in Harcourt near Bendigo, Victoria, is one such producer. Adam doesn’t restrict himself to sourcing grapes from one specific region; he’d rather make the most of the diversity of climates and soils central Victoria has to offer and looks to the Yarra Valley, Macedon Ranges, Bendigo and Heathcote for the best quality fruit.

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.

Allinda is a tiny Yarra Valley estate, and you won't find their wines in too many places, because the quantities are so small. But when you do find them, make sure you stock up, because they are really wonderful. This sumptuous Syrah really impresses with medium to full bodied intense ripe flavour and natural acidity. Ripeness of fruit in the warmish 2016 February has lifted the flavour profile into the mulberry and plum zone so expect less white pepper than other Yarra Valley Syrahs. Allinda has kept it simple with healthy soils, healthy vines, some of the better old school practices, a dash of modern technique and a whole lotta good old winemaking sense. High-quality boutique wine with stacks of Gold wins!