I am always on the search of cool climate Pinot Noir (and Chardonnay) fruit. It is very hard to come by in the Macedon Ranges, almost impossible, so when the opportunity arose in late 2022 to meet with Doug to discuss the possibility of leasing his Romsey vineyard - I jumped at the idea.
However, due to timing (I had just found out that I was pregnant with our second child, due in February 2023), I had to decline leasing the site. I wanted to be fair to Doug and the vines; I didn't want to take on the farming of a new site, not knowing what lay ahead in the following 9 months. Doug and I stayed in touch though and in early 2023, he called me to tell me that there was some Pinot Noir fruit available for me! I couldn't believe this news, and was so wrapped that I could make this wine from such incredible fruit.
On the nose, this wine is floral and aromatic, rose petals and currants, with some forest floor. Bright ruby red in colour, the palate is raspberries and sour cherries, with a hint of brown spice and earthy fine tannins. Elegant and refreshing, this wine has a soft and delicate mouth feel, which lingers a while. It is drinking well now, but will also cellar gracefully.
Region: Macedon Ranges
Sub-region: Romsey
Vineyard: Doug's Vineyard is located in the cool, sub-region of Romsey, approximately 1 hour (by car) north-west of Melbourne. The vines were planted in the 2000s, and sit at an elevation of 530m on a North facing slope at the foothills of the Cobaw Ranges. There is a mixture of clones - predominantly MV6, along with 114 and 115. The soil is volcanic rocky basalt.
Winemaking: The grapes were handpicked on 26 April 2025 and delivered straight to the winery. A small portion was whole bunch fermented in Amphora and another small portion whole berry fermented in Amphora; the rest was de-stemmed, crushed and fermented in an open fermenter for 10 days with daily punch downs. Post press, the wine was transferred to a mixture of French oak barriques and Amphora for aging for 14 months. No new oak was used. Bottled in December 2024, the wine has not been fined, nor filtered.
Harvest: 26 April 2023
Quantity: 112 dozen
Closure: Diam
