In September 2024, I began farming five acres of vines on Straws Lane in Hesket, in the Macedon Ranges. Pinot Noir and Gewürztraminer, planted close, at 800 metres elevation. Fertile volcanic soils. A cool, high site with its own story to tell. I'm only the fourth custodian of this block, and I feel incredibly privileged to look after a vineyard that's almost forty years old. These new wines are my first expressions from this site and I am excited to share them with you.
Region: Macedon Ranges.
Sub-region: Hesket.
Vineyard: Planted in 1987 on the northern slopes of Mount Macedon, this vineyard sits at 800m — among the highest in the region. Dry-grown on north-facing granite outcrop, it's densely planted (5,250 vines/ha; 1.6m rows, 0.5m vines) to 80% Pinot Noir (MV6 and Mariafeld) and 20% Gewürztraminer.
I've farmed the site since September 2024, building on five years of careful cane renewal by the previous custodians to secure its longevity. It's a uniquely cool-climate site — yields are low, but the fruit has real elegance, acidity and flavour. 2025 was an exceptionally warm year in the Macedon Ranges, with dry, stable conditions.
Harvest: 15 April 2025.
Winemaking: Handpicked on 15 April 2025 and split into four parcels, fermented separately: 8% carbonic maceration, 16% whole-bunch in open fermenter, 38% whole-berry, and 38% destemmed and crushed. Daily hand pump-overs with some punch-downs throughout fermentation extracted finer tannins, and each parcel was pressed after 10–16 days on skins. Aged in one new French Vicard barrique alongside 3- and 4-year-old French barriques and hogsheads, with malolactic fermentation in Spring 2025. Blended and bottled on 5 June 2026 after 13 months' élevage, unfiltered and unfined.
Aged: 13 months' élevage, 5% new oak alongisde 3- and 4-year-old French barriques and hogsheads.
Bottled: June 2026.
Closure: Amorim Cork composite.
Quantity: 402 dozen.
Palate: Red and dark cherry aromas, wild raspberries and violets. Savoury forest floor, dried herbs, brooding spice and red plum on the palate. A soft, fine tannin. Structured with a long, lingering finish.
