PRIME YOURSELF, MELBOURNE. YOUR 2019 WINE LIST HAS DROPPED!
200 pinots. 70 wineries. 1 day.
It’s time for a strategy.
While we’re always down for crazy spontaneity as an approach to tasting pinot, we think the way to win at Pinot Palooza is to start with a plan. Our suggestion? Make a Pinot Playlist; and just like your Greatest Jams on Spotify, it pays to mix it up.
If nothing else, our events are all about discovery. This is your chance to mix it up. Heck, be someone else for a day and try on some new pinots for size – no commitment necessary. How? Explore wines from a region you’ve never tried before, sample something expensive alongside something new and experimental, find your ultimate Netflix and chill wine – go nuts!
WHAT’S YOUR PINOT PLAYLIST?
—————
VEGAN, ORGANIC, BIODYNAMIC AND LOW-INTERVENTION WINES
Yep, we heard you. You said you wanted to make it easier to pick out the vegan, organic, biodynamic and lo-fi wines at our events, so this year we’re giving them to you on a platter – with icons!
But what does it all mean? Some background on our categories:
Vegan wines are made without the usual dairy or animal proteins to fine or filter the wine. Organic wines are made from grapes grown without artificial or synthetic chemicals, in certified organic vineyards. Biodynamic wines are similarly chemical-free, with an added focus on managing the whole vineyard as an ecosystem and generally adding fewer sulphates to the wines. Fun fact: all wines were minimal until 1847, when chemicals first became available to farmers. These days, Minimal/Low Intervention wines are unfined and unfiltered and free from any post-fermentation additives.
– VEGAN
– ORGANIC (Certified or in conversion)
– BIODYNAMIC (Certified or in conversion)
– MINIMAL/LOW INTERVENTION
AUSTRALIA
Australia is a big country, with a bunch of diverse micro-climates, which means we produce a pretty huge range of different pinot noir styles.
With around 15 different regions producing pinot, you’ll have plenty of new favourites to discover. From Gippsland to Beechworth, Macedon to Pemberton, Mornington to the Bellarine, Yarra Valley to the Huon Valley, and everywhere else in between, there’s plenty of pinot magic happening all around the country.
VICTORIA
Welcome to the classic rock of Aussie wine regions. You know all the songs, you love to sing along and you don’t care who hears you. It’s got the heartfelt ballads of the Mornington Peninsula, the sexy slow jams of the Yarra Valley and the funky beats of Macedon, Ballarat and Gippsland. Victorian Pinot is on high rotation in our cellar because it’s a consistent crowd-pleaser.
Yarra Valley
Drinking Yarra Valley pinot is like hearing Bruce Springsteen sing the opening lines of I’m On Fire. As the first hit of red fruit slides down and the acid profile reverberates through your body, you become one with the Yarra’s languid and sensual magic.
Coldstream Hills and St Huberts
St Huberts The Stag Yarra Valley (2018) – $24
St Huberts The Stag Victoria (2018) – $20
St Huberts Blanc de Noir (2013) – $36
Coldstream Hills Yarra Valley (2018) – $35
Coldstream Hills Single Vineyard Deer Farm (2018) – $50
Greenstone –
Greenstone (2018) – $32
Handpicked –
Regional Selections Mornington Peninsula (2018) – $29
Regional Selections Yarra Valley Rosé (2018) – $29
Collection Yarra Valley (2015) – $60
Collection Tasmanian (2018) – $60
Regional Selections Yarra Valley (2017) – $29
Helen & Joey
Alena 2017 (2017) – $50
Layla (2018) – $35
Inara (2018) – $25
Wayward Child Pinot Gris (2018) – $35
Wayward Child Syrah/Co-Ferment (2018) – $50
Innocent Bystander –
Pinot Rosé (2018) – $20
Yarra Valley (2018) – $25
Central Otago (2016) – $25
Journey –
Yarra Valley (2018) – $40
Small Batch #3 (2017) – $60
Mandala
Mandala (2018) – $30
Mandala Matriarch (2017) – $60
Medhurst
Estate (2018) – $44
Yarra Valley (2018) – $28
Oakridge –
864 – Henk Vineyard, Aqueduct Block (2018) – $85
Vineyard Series – Henk Vineyard (2017) – $42
Vineyard Series – Willowlake Vineyard (2017) – $42
Pinot Meunier (2019) – $28
Sparkling Meunier (2017) – $40
Rob Dolan
True Colours Rosé (2018) – $24
True Colours (2017) – $24
Black Label (2018) – $27
White Label (2017) – $35
Rob Hall –
Rob Hall (2017) – $26
Harriet’s Vineyard (2018) – $40
Palooza Pinot (2019) – $40
Santolin –
Gladysdale (2017) – $42
Gruyere (2017) – $42
Rosé (2018) – $25
Yering Station
Little Yering (2018) – $20
Yering Station Village (2017) – $25
Yering Station (2017) – $40
Yering Station Reserve (2017) – $130
Yering Station Inverness Ridge (2017) – $70
Gippsland
Gippsland pinot is all punk rock; taking the classic style, experimenting and turning it on its head. High tones and lots of juicy whole bunches, it delivers a persistent flavour that’s unlike any other region. Pure anarchy. Read our regional profile here!
Bass River –
1835 Bass River Vintage Brut (2016) – $45
1835 Bass River (2017) – $45
1835 Bass River (2018) – $45
Cannibal Creek –
Cannibal Creek (2016) – $38
Reserve (2016) – $60
Cannibal Creek (2017) – $38
Reserve (2017) – $60
Vin de Liqueur (2016) – $45
Dirty Three –
All the Dirts (2018) – $36
Dirt 1 (2018) – $55
Dirt 2 (2018) – $55
Dirt 3 (2018) – $55
Lightfoot & Sons –
Cliff Block (2016) – $55
Myrtle Point Vineyard (2017) – $29
Renegade (2018) – $40
Moondarra –
Studebaker (2018) – $35
Conception (2018) – $50
Samba Side (2018) – $65
Mornington Peninsula
Mornington pinot wants to hold you close, in a firm but gentle rock ballad kind of way. It’s full of bold flavours that make your heart burst with pleasure, but don’t be fooled – there’s a surprising amount of depth and character in these wines. Planning a trip? Check out how we did the region in 48 hours!
Circe –
Circe (2017) – $40
Circe Hillcrest Road (2017) – $70
Circe (2018) – $40
Pinot Meunier (2017) – $40
Crittenden –
Kangerong (2018) – $45
The Zumma (2017) – $57
Cri de Coeur (2017) – $80
Montalto
Pennon Hill Sparkling Rosé (NV) – $35
Montalto Pennon Hill (2018) – $34
Montalto Estate (2018) – $50
Paringa –
Peninsula (2018) – $29
Estate (2017) – $65
The Paringa (2017) – $100
Port Phillip and Kooyong –
Quartier (2018) – $27
Port Phillip Estate ‘Red Hill’ (2018) – $39
Kooyong Estate (2018) – $54
Quealy
Mornington Peninsula (2018) – $30
Campbell and Christine (2017) – $40
Musk Creek (2017) – $40
Seventeen Rows (2017) – $70
Red Hill Estate
Cellar Door Release (2017) – $29.00
Merricks Grove (2017) – $39.00
Single Vineyard (2016) – $74.00
Stonier –
Jimjoca Vineyard (2016) – $45
Lyncroft Vineyard (2016) – $55
Merron’s Vineyard (2016) – $55
Trofeo –
Amphora (2018) – $43
Chosen Few (2017) – $45
Single Amphora (2018) – 48
Skin Contact (2018) – $32
Willow Creek –
Willow Creek Vineyard (2018) – $45
Willow Creek Vineyard O’Leary Block (2018) – $80
Rare Hare Pinot Noir Rosé (2018) – $30
Yabby Lake –
Red Claw (2018) – $30
Yabby Lake Single Vineyard Rosé (2019) – $30
Yabby Lake Single Vineyard (2018) – $64
Yabby Lake Single Block 1 (2018) – $95
Yabby Lake Single Block 5 (2018) – $95
Macedon and Ballarat
The cool kids of the Victorian wine regions. Whether it’s the classic styles of Bindi and Curly Flat from the Macedon Ranges or experimental deliciousness from Eastern Peake in Ballarat, all the wines made in these regions are totally hip.
Curly Flat –
Curly Flat (2017) – $52
Curly Flat (2016) – $54
Eastern Peake –
Intrinsic (2016) – $42
Mount Block (2016) – $50
Pinot Tache (2018) $32
OB Terroir (2015) – $60
Lyons Will –
Lyons Will Estate Pinot Noir (2016) – $35
Lyons Will Estate Pinot Noir (2017) – $37
Shadowfax –
Macedon Ranges (2018) – $34
Geelong
Earthy, confident and full of soul, Geelong is the Tina Turner of Victorian pinot. Big-haired, hip-shaking good times guaranteed.
Austin’s/6Ft6 –
Austin’s (2018) – $45
6Ft6 (2018) – $25
6Ft6 Rosé (2019) – $25
Bellbrae
Bellbrae Estate Bird Rock (2017) – $40
Longboard (2017) – $27
Longboard Pinot Rosé (2019) – $25
Bellbrae Estate Bird Rock (2013) – $65
Oakdene –
Single Vineyard Peta’s (2018) – $43
Bellarine Peninsula (2018) – $24
Terindah –
Single Vineyard (2017) – $37
Two Bays (2017) – $26
Rosé (2018) – $32
Jack Rabbit
Jack Rabbit Rosé (2018) – $35
Jack Rabbit (2018) – $40
Leura Park
Leura Park (2018) – $42
Yes Said the Seal
Yes Said the Seal Sparkling Blanc de Noir (2011) – $40
Yes Said the Seal (2017) – $38
TASMANIA
Tasting Tassie pinot is like listening to your mate’s banging hip hop playlist: fun, soulful and thought-provoking. Pinots from this part of the world have the structure of a Biggie Smalls bass-line and the flavour of Dr. Dre’s The Chronic. Get your wineglasses ready – Tassie pinot is bringing the funk.
Devils Corner
Devil’s Corner (2018) – $24
Resolution (2017) – $34
Mt Amos (2017) – $65
Ghost Rock –
P3 Rosé (2019) – $30
Supernatural (2018) – $29
Estate (2018) – $38
Oulton SV (2018) – $52
Bonadale SV (2018) – $52
Haddow & Dineen –
Private Universe Pinot Noir (2018) – $50
Grain of Truth Pinot Gris (2018) – $50
One Hundred Days Méthode Ancestrale (2019) – $40
Lost Farm
Lost Farm (2018) – $40
Lost Farm Vintage Cuvee (2015) – $40
Lost Farm NV Brut (NV) – $30
Meadowbank –
Meadowbank (2018) – $55
Nouveau Syrah/Pinot (2019) – $35
Pipers Brook
Ninth Island (2018) – $25
Pipers Brook Estate (2018) – $45
Norfolk Rise (2019) – $18
Spring Vale
Melrose (2019) – $30
Estate (2017) – $48
Cellar Release (2013) – $95
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Say hello to the pop princess of the pinot world. Most of the time, South Australian pinots are fun and bright, but then you hit a pocket in SA (we’re looking at you, Basket Ranges) where the wines get a little down and dirty, a bit funky, and really push the barriers of winemaking norms (think Christina Aguilera when she dyed her hair and leathered up). A healthy balance of tradition and experimentation is at the heart of South Australia’s charm, which keeps the hits coming.
Ashton Hills –
Vintage Rosé, 2016 – $40
Piccadilly Valley, 2018 – $35
Estate, 2018 – $55
Reserve, 2018 – $85
Golding –
The Last Hurrah Pinot Noir/Chardonnay Sparkling, 2018 – $25
The Spuiker Pinot Gris, 2018 – $25
The Purveyor, 2018 – $25
Francis John, 2015 – $42
Good Intentions Wine Co –
Mount Gambier
Ooh la la noir, 2016 – $35
Ooh la la noir, 2017 – $35
Gris diddly dee, 2018 – $35
Petillant pop!, 2019 – $35
Ooh la la noir, 2019 – $35
Grounded Cru –
Cru Adelaide Hills, 2018 – $26
Inc Adelaide Hills, 2016 – $34
Sparkling Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir/Chardonnay, NV – $27
Henschke –
Giles, 2017 – $55
The Alan, 2015 – $93
Johanne Ida Selma Blanc de Noir, MD – $62
Main & Cherry –
Pinot Noir, 2019 – $35
Pinot Meunier, 2018 – $40
Pinot Gris on Skins, 2019 – $35
Pinot/Syrah, 2018 – $30
Pure Wine Co –
Saint and Scholar, 2018 – $30
Saint and Scholar Pinot/Shiraz, 2017 – $30
Saint and Scholar – The Scholar’s Soapbox, 2018 – $50
Twill and Daisy, 2019 – $19
Pete’s Pure, 2019 – $15
Shaw + Smith –
Shaw + Smith, 2018 – $49
Tolpuddle Vineyard, 2018 – $85
Vinteloper –
PN/18 Pinot Noir, 2018 – $42
OPN/16 ODEON Pinot Noir, 2016 – $130
PP/19 Pinot Pinot Rosé, 2019 – $27
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The Western Australian pinot noir style is like a classical symphony: think long, drawn-out notes, with depth of fruit and a timeless style. There’s a hidden complexity to these wines (much like Beethoven), which is brought to life as the subtle aromas in the glass and the soft flavours on the palate build to a vibrant crescendo.
Marchand & Burch
Marchand & Burch Villages Rosé, 2018 – $25
Marchand & Burch Villages Pinot Noir, 2018 – $35
Marchand & Burch Mount Barrow Pinot Noir, 2017 – $55
Marchand & Burch Bourgogne Rouge, 2017 – $55
Marchand & Burch Côte de Nuits – Villages, 2017 – $65
NEW SOUTH WALES
New South Wales pinot noir is that kid in high school who told everyone he was going to be a great singer and got laughed off stage. But we’re not laughing now. The dark horse of Australian pinot regions, NSW produces wines that are intricate and flavoursome with great balance and energy. Watch this space – we reckon NSW pinot is about to blow up.
Coppabella –
Coppabella Rosé, 2018 – $26
Coppabella, 2018 – $26
Coppabella Crest, 2018 – $35
Coppabella Sirius, 2016 – $60
Lock & Key, 2018 – $25
NEW ZEALAND
CENTRAL OTAGO
Brrr. Did it just get a little colder? Central Otago sits way down towards the bottom of the world, enjoying bragging rights to some of the southern hemisphere’s most southerly vineyards. It was a wine region established on a collective mad vision and now produces powerful world-class pinots of mass seduction. Cue the sheepskin and fireplace. Read our Central Otago profile (with matching Spotify playlist!).
akitu –
A1 Black Label, 2017 – $60
A2 White Label, 2017 – $40
Akarua –
Akarua Brut, NV – $42
Pinot Rouge, 2019 – $29
RUA, 2019 – $25
25 Steps, 2018 – $45
Burn Cottage –
Vineyard, 2017 – $95
Moonlight Race, 2016 – $75
Charteris –
The Winter Vineyard, 2013 – $100
The Winter Vineyard, 2014 – $70
Tahi, 2015 – $55
Central Otago, 2018 – $43
Grasshopper Rock –
Earnscleugh Vineyard, 2016 – $40
Earnscleugh Vineyard, 2012 – $50
Rockburn –
Rockburn, 2017 – $45
Devil’s Staircase ‘Blushing’ Blanc de Noir, 2019 – $30
Devil’s Staircase, 2019 – $25
MARLBOROUGH
Perfectly coiffed with its collar turned up, Marlborough will have you All Shook Up. This region’s got mojo for days. Full of satiny texture and ample, rich fruit character, Marlborough pinot noirs are full flavoured and quietly confident pinot. One slug and you’re hooked. Resistance is futile.
Dog Point –
Dog Point, 2017 – $50
Dog Point, 2010 – $69
Cloudy Bay
Cloudy Bay, 2016 – $45
Cloudy Bay Te Wahi Central Otago, 2015 – $85
Jackson Estate –
Shelter Bay, 2018 – $18.50
Vintage Widow, 2015 – $34
Vineyard, 2013 – $48
Gum Emperor Single Vineyard, 2013 – $48
Rock Ferry –
3rd Rock, 2014 – $45
3rd Rock, 2016 – $45
Trig Hill Vineyard, 2014 – $65
Trig Hill Vineyard, 2015 – $45
WELLINGTON WINE COUNTRY
It’s tough when your neighbour (Martinborough) is a lead singer who’s always in the limelight. That’s ok, Wairarapa keeps making great pinot, regardless of who’s paying attention. And those in the know understand this pinot’s got all the right stuff. Soft, seductive, delicious… it’s a genuine quiet achiever.
Craggy Range
Martinborough, 2017 – $32
Te Muna, 2016 – $55
Aroha, 2016 – $150
Escarpment –
The Edge, 2017 – $30
Estate, 2016 – $50
Kiwa, 2015 – $75
Te Rehua, 2016 – $75
Kupe, 2017 – $90
Luna Estate –
Luna Estate, 2017 – $26
Pinot Rosé, 2019 – $30
Rock Vineyard, 2016 – $50
Eclipse Vineyard, 2016 – $50
Martinborough Vineyards –
Home Block, 2016 – $85
Te Tera, 2017 – $40
Schubert
Marion’s Vineyard, 2017 – $70
Block B, 2017 – $85
THE MIXED TAPE
Who needs to be tied to a region? These awesome crew will be representing wines from across the country and the globe.
Vinomofo
Duck Sauce, 2018 – $16.5
The Don, 2016 – $30
Payten & Jones VV, 2018 – $27
On Giants’ Shoulders, 2016 – $50
Wild Earth, 2015 – $60
Maison Noir O.P.P, 2017 – $50
Brave New World
South Africa
Creation, Hemel-en-Aarde Vallei, Walker Bay, South Africa, 2017 – $35
Creation Reserve, Hemel-en-Aarde Vallei, Walker Bay, South Africa, 2016 – $60
Chamonix Feldspa, Franschhoek, South Africa, 2016 – $30
Chamonix Greywacke Pinotage, Franschhoek, South Africa, 2015 – $30
Marras Pinotage, Piekenierskloof, South Africa, 2018 – $20
