Collection: Innocent Bystander Wines | Yarra Valley & King Valley

Innocent Bystander was founded in 2004 by Phil Sexton — the entrepreneur behind Matilda Bay Brewing, Little Creatures, and Giant Steps — as a deliberate counterpoint to the formality of Australian fine wine. The idea was simple: make genuinely good cool-climate wine without the ceremony. That philosophy has defined the brand ever since.

The range draws fruit from the Yarra Valley and King Valley, two of Victoria's most distinctive cool-climate regions. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Syrah, and Tempranillo are the core varieties — each made with minimal intervention and a focus on expressing where the fruit came from rather than imposing a house style. Winemaker Geoff Alexander has led the portfolio since the Brown Family Wine Group acquired the brand in 2016, maintaining the restrained, food-friendly approach established under the original Giant Steps team.

If you want cool-climate Victorian wine that over-delivers at its price point, Innocent Bystander is one of the most reliable producers in the country.