Taking over the weekend of 10-11 February 2023, and featuring Pinot Noir from all over Australia, the Celebration will be an immersive program of events, tastings, talks, tours and hands-on workshops designed to captivate, stimulate and challenge anyone with a love for Pinot Noir.
Below, discover some of the most interesting and storied names in Australian Pinot Noir, as well as learning about some of the Australian regions most famous for this dark red drop.
More about the product
Australian Pinot Noir is delicate and food-friendly with flavours of cherries and red berries. It’s also commonly used in sparkling wines. Pinot Noir is one of the hardest grapes to grow, but producers in Australia’s cooler climates have mastered the art – and it’s never been better.
Pinot Noir is renowned for being well-paired with salmon, chicken, duck, pork, cured meats, pâté and terrine, and comté cheese.
More about the people
Silky and elegant Pinot Noir wine has claimed its place as one of Australia’s heavy-hitting reds. Thanks to passionate winemakers, quality is at an all-time high. Learn about some of them below.
Kate McIntyre, MW – Mooroduc Estate – Mornington Peninsula
As a Master of Wine, Kate is in demand around the world. On top of her work at Moorooduc Estate, she writes about wine, judges at wine shows and speaks at events. But she’s never away from Mornington for long.
“The Mornington Peninsula is an easy place to lose yourself in,” she says. “The thing that brought me back is that it’s green and it’s lush. It’s just beautiful.”
Mac Forbes – Mac Forbes Winery – Yarra Valley
Mac Forbes is a Yarra Valley winemaker who threw out the rulebook and wrote his own. He’s still making it up as he goes – and the results are exciting.
Born and raised in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, Mac Forbes has become one of the region’s greatest champions. He’s shone a spotlight on some of Yarra Valley’s lesser-known subregions and shaped the conversation about Australia’s terroir, all while making thrilling cool-climate wines.
Martin Shaw – Shaw + Smith – Adelaide Hills
Martin added an exciting chapter to the Australian wine story in 1989 when he joined forces with his cousin Michael Hill Smith – Australia’s first qualified Master of Wine – to establish Shaw + Smith.
Based in South Australia’s dynamic, cool-climate Adelaide Hills wine region, Shaw + Smith produces premium, modern interpretations of classic wines, including a benchmark-setting Sauvignon Blanc, along with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz. The fruit comes exclusively from the Adelaide Hills, mainly from Shaw + Smith’s two vineyards – and soon from a third vineyard they recently bought.
Anna Pooley – Pooley Wines – Tasmania
For Anna, making wine is about community. As a child she loved being part of her family’s first harvest and it sparked a fascination that never went away. In high demand, she worked for some of Australia’s biggest names in wine. Today she’s back at the family estate as an important member of Tasmania’s wine community and its first third-generation winemaking family.
“There’s so many talented people, that’s the beauty of this community in Australia. We are all so closely connected. We share a common passion and that’s a beautiful thing,” Anna says.
More about the places
Over the past four decades, the Australian wine community has established and evolved a number of wine regions ideally suited to Pinot Noir. Thriving in the country’s cool-climate regions, Pinot Noir is now being successfully grown from west to east.
Gippsland, Victoria
Stretching across Victoria, the Gippsland region offers sweeping natural beauty to take in. It’s home to some of the state’s top tourist spots, including Phillip Island, Wilsons Promontory National Park and Ninety Mile Beach, one of the longest beaches in the world.
The riches don’t stop there: Gippsland is a treasure trove of artisanal produce. It’s a perfect match for its diverse wines that run the gamut from delicate and elegant to full-flavoured and robust.
Geelong, Victoria
Not far from Australia’s iconic Great Ocean Road, Geelong’s passionate producers hand-pick and handcraft premium wines. The region stretches from rugged coast to volcanic plains, and many cellar doors and restaurants offer sweeping views.
Geelong has a reputation as a wine region on the rise and for good reason. Its varied landscape is reflected in its diverse and elegant wines.
Macedon Ranges, Victoria
The Macedon Ranges is a wine region of hidden vineyards and passionate producers. More than 40 boutique wineries are scattered throughout lush elevated plains, where volcanic formations add interest to the striking landscape.
The focus here is on quality over quantity, and many wines are only available from the cellar door. The region’s quality ethos extends to the food – from award-winning restaurants to homegrown produce, perfect for a picnic at Hanging Rock.
Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
Home to the Pinot Noir Celebration in 2023, the Mornington Peninsula is popular for weekend getaways and is one of Australia’s food and wine hotspots. Think coastal views, green pastures and award-winning cellar doors and restaurants dotted among villages.
The wine here is some of Australia’s best, made by a collaborative community of winemakers and many family-run vineyards. It’s a seaside region ruled by perfectionists.
Don't miss out
The Pinot Noir Celebration Australia 2023 runs over two days on the weekend of 10-11 February 2023. Secure your spot and REGISTER NOW
The makers and regions present at the Celebration. You can learn more about Australia’s wine regions, makers and wines, just click on the links above.
