The cool-climate of the Adelaide Hills has proven to be a haven for Pinot Noir and is quickly establishing a reputation akin to the benchmark Australian regions. Tim Knappstein from Riposte harnesses the qualities of the region and the varietal with effortless ease with his The Sabre. Bright colour in the glass is followed by a lifted floral nose with a savoury edge. The palate is fresh, clean and superbly powerful. A delight.

This grey-skinned grape Pinot Gris underwent a gentle winemaking process with minimal colour extraction from the skin that resulted in a beautiful blush hue. On the nose, aromas of pear and nectarine are complemented by notes of roses and Turkish delight that are introduced by the yeast. The soft palate is laced with pear and lychee flavours leading to a satisfying finish. This varietal can be enjoyed with oven-roasted chicken, meaty fish or pork dishes.

Pinot Noir and Meunier give the Altair power and riper red fruit aromas, and citrus lift and finesse from the Chardonnay. The addition of multi-vintage reserve wines adds depth and complexity. The fine, creamy mousse complements the peach and citrus characters. Bottle fermented and aged before a low dosage is added to balance the texture and acidity of the wine. Deviation Road produces exciting cool climate wines from mature vineyard resources in the Adelaide Hills. Owners Hamish and Kate Laurie continue a five-generation winemaking tradition. Devoted to the high-altitude sites of the Adelaide Hills and with Kate’s French oenology training, the wines they produce are both traditional and contemporary.

The cooler climate of Adelaide Hills delivers a Pinot Noir with delicate and perfumed florals. Bright red fruit and cherry emerge from the palate in this sleek, elegant & graceful wine

Sidewood Sparkling Pinot Noir is sourced from a single vineyard in the cool climate region of the Adelaide Hills. Grapes were selected from low yielding vines and chilled in our cold rooms within an hour of picking, before being gently pressed. Free run juice was then fermented with partial malolactic and extended time on lees prior to secondary fermentation and bottling at our winery at Nairne. This 100% Pinot Noir wine has tantalising aromas of fresh strawberry, wild raspberries and dried fig. The palate is round and beautifully balanced. Intense flavours of cherry, white peach and strawberries are matched with a crisp minerality and a touch of brioche. The natural acidity provides excellent structure and finesse with a luscious, generous mouth feel.

COMMUNE OF BUTTONS Gloria Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills Commune of Buttons began with a single dream between brother and sister, to continue as second-generation growers of grapes. This is a distinctive Pinot from the much-loved Commune of Buttons. The Gloria vineyard is 1Ha of 25-year-old dry-grown Pinot vines planted in clay and sandstone soils rich in ironstone, quartz and basalt. With flavours of cassis, fresh grape juice, a lick of plum, and just a hint of cherry.

Pompette is Jasper Button’s idea of the perfect bistro red - bright, fresh, and dangerously easy to drink. The name means “pleasantly tipsy” in French, which feels pretty spot on once you’ve had a glass or two. It’s mostly Syrah from the Kas Sluiter Vineyard in Mylor, with a splash of Pinot Noir from Piccadilly to bring some crunch and lift. The fruit was hand-picked, destemmed and naturally fermented, then left to rest in fibreglass tanks for ten months. No oak, just clean, pure fruit and a heap of charm built for drinking any day of the week. You get juicy dark berries, violets and spice from the Syrah, while the Pinot keeps things bright and energetic. It’s medium-bodied, silky and a little savoury, the kind of red that feels right at home with pizza, pasta or a sunny afternoon picnic.

Tucked away nicely in the Adelaide Hills, Sidewood Estate have made an art form out of crafting some of the very best single vineyard cool-climate wines available in Australia. Owen and Cassandra Inglis purchased the boutique property in 2004 and immediately set about making their vision become a reality. Their Sidewood Shiraz displays that vision to perfection. Attention to detail is the key here which enables flavours of red cherry, currants and dark plum to shine through along with hints of cinnamon and spice. The texture is beguiling and gives promise to a wine that will age for up to a decade.