Within Kiedrich’s Gräfenberg Grand Cru lies a small 0.5-hectare parcel once known as the Gräfenberg-Lay. Sitting in one of the steepest portions of the vineyard, the Lay is located at the transition between Gräfenberg and Turmberg and is known for having the highest concentration of phyllite slate on the hill. The vines here are now between 40 and 60 years old. This site was originally purchased by Dr Robert Weil in the 19th century, using the dowry from his marriage to Emilie von Vacano (a descendant of the Vacano family in Lombardy). The wine from this parcel, called Monte Vacano (the Hill of Vacano) was always produced and bottled alone. It was used only for celebratory occasions and never released for sale. Following Weil's death in 1921, the tradition of Monte Vacano fell dormant, and the fruit was incorporated into a regular Gräfenberg bottling. Compared to the Gräfenberg GG, Monte Vacano trades power and richness for exceptional purity, elegance and detail. Resurrecting the old custom, 2021 marks the fourth Riesling in a century made solely from this special lieu-dit. It was harvested in October, and the grapes were whole bunch-pressed into two ancient refurbished Stückfässer (1,200-litre casks) where the wine fermented wild and spent almost two years on lees before bottling.

The Mader domaine is a very small quantity, high quality wine producer based in the picture postcard village of Hunawihr in the middle of vineyards on the Route des Vins. The family own 9 hectares of vineyards, including prized holdings of vines in the famous ‘Rosacker’ Grand Cru vineyard and also now in the Grand cru Schl0ssberg. All vineyard work is carried out by hand and since 2005 their son Jerome is now running the estate having studied and gained a Diploma in Oenology. Since returning to the family estate Jerome has also converted all their vineyards to bio-dynamic viticulture.

This exceptional Pinot Gris from Amisfield shows pronounced aromatics of roasting quince, bees wax and orange blossom. The palate is broad, complex, rich and textured while remaining elegant, with a dry finish.

Established in 1998, Shadowfax is a boutique winery located just 30 minutes from Melbourne in the heart of Werribee Park. Dedicated to creating high-quality and handcrafted wines, Shadowfax is renowned for its Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Shiraz, as well as a selection of highly limited, single-vineyard wines. The winery takes its name from J.R.R. Tolkien's classic, The Lord of the Rings, where Shadowfax was chief among horses. Contemporary in design and function, Shadowfax's unique architecture reflects an attempt to create a harmony between the winery and its natural surroundings. Designed by award-winning architects Wood Marsh, the winery's rusted sheet metal exterior and terracotta interior evoke the best of Australian wine heritage. At Shadowfax, the team is passionate about allowing each vineyard site to express its unique character, with the grapes grown reflecting the site and telling their own story. The vineyards are grown depending on their own requests, with the team always listening and tasting to ensure the vineyard's needs and wants are met. Shadowfax is not afraid of new ideas, experimentation, trials and tribulations, all while having fun doing so. The vineyard is allowed to do the talking, using the wine glass as its stage. Shadowfax is a winery that truly cares about the land and the wines it produces, resulting in some of the most exceptional wines in the region. Shadowfax Wines is a premium winery with vineyards located in some of the most unique and sought-after regions in Australia. The Little Hampton single vineyard site near Trentham sits at 730m above sea level, making it one of the coolest in the Macedon Ranges. The deep red volcanic loams over hard basalt outcrops give Little Hampton a unique balance between aromatics and power, producing exceptional fruit, particularly Pinot Noir, which forms the flagship Little Hampton Pinot Noir. Other vineyards include Straws Lane, planted in the 1980s to Pinot Noir and Gewurztraminer near Hesket, Midhill, with slightly acidic and well-drained red volcanic soils and Werribee, which produces powerful and robust K Road Shiraz and unadulterated Minnow wines. The Pyrenees vineyard produces Shiraz with natural spicy aromas, a full palate and long fine tannins, thanks to the inland location at the foothills of the Pyrenees Mountain range. Shadowfax Wines' commitment to minimal intervention in the winery and precision farming results in wines that are vibrant, pure and drinkable. The Shadowfax Geelong Pinot Gris 2022 is a delightful wine that showcases a light white straw color with a green hue and brilliant clarity. The aroma is complex, with nectarine and lychee fruits complemented by nori and mineral flint. There is a focus and depth to the nose, with barrel-derived complexities and floral notes complementing the more primary fruit aromas. On the palate, nectarine and apricot immediately wash across, with papaya, ginger and fresh florals adding length and lusciousness. The palate is generous, but the healthy acidity maintains vitality and zest, with a touch of saltiness on the finish. This is a great example of maritime Pinot Gris. This wine pairs well with salmon and cream cheese bagel, nori roll and three cheese souffle. The viticulture of this wine involved a wet winter and cool spring in Geelong, setting up the growing season. Small crops fully ripened with a warm summer while retaining good acidity. The winemaking process involved firmly whole bunch pressing the hand-harvested fruit to release the full Pinot Gris flavor profile. Natural fermentation occurred in older French barrels, with the wine left to unwind and age slowly on its ferment lees to add generosity.

Ca' Montini Pinot Grigio Terre Di Valfredda 2021 is a yellow straw colour. The nose is crisp and vibrant with aromas of apple and citrus. The palate is nicely balanced with fruit and acidity. This wine is picked by hand from the single vineyard plot in Trentino and is the only wine produced by Ca’Montini. Vinified in stainless steel and aged in tank before bottling. Using fruit sourced from one of the most highly-prized vineyards, Ca’ Montini is proud to present a premium Pinot Grigio DOC that truly showcases the quality and winemaking history of Trentino. The vineyard lies in a small valley called by the locals “Valfredda” or cold valley. The grapes are naturally protected from the elements by the surrounding mountainside and the perfect East-West exposure ensure the ideal conditions for the ripening of Pinot Grigio. This project was conceived under the direction of internationally acclaimed winemaker Riccardo Cotarella and his technical staff.

Mon Tout’ - in French, means ‘my everything’. It's an ode to the great loves in our lives. Mon Tout look at the raw possibilities and natural outcomes of minimal intervention winemaking, and have worked over the years to source fruit with lower impact and gentler farming. Pinot Gris & Gewürztraminer - picked and pressed together to stainless steel where the juice was given extended contact with solids for 10 days prior to ferment, with a portion going to ceramic eggs to undergo cool and slow ferment in contact with skins for 2 weeks. Riesling - natural ferment in tank with low juice solids at a cool cellar temperature. Subtle and fresh, yet layered, this vibrant summertime white melds an array of riotous fruit with mouth-watering acidity and silky texture. It is a sensory journey on which one is carried from Pinot Gris’ classic pear, apple, and exotic sweet spice aromas to Gewürztraminer’s rose petal and white pepper tones. The palate is tightened by Riesling’s bright acidity and zesty flavours. Guided by a fine acid line, the midpalate unveils an almost oily texture and supple fruit weight, striking the perfect balance between bright and rich. An abundance of orchard fruit collides with tropical fruit punch and refreshing minerality to create an eminently appealing wine with a citrus-filled finish.

The Gardener is pale straw yellow with a slight green hue. The nose is vibrant. An elegant yet generous wine, it displays lifted nashi pear, nectarine and citrus with a spicy backbone. There is a lovely texture to the palate without taking away from the freshness and purity of the fruit.