Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley Pinot Gris 2016

Lovely winter rains and a wonderful spring for a good, even fruit set and big healthy canopies. Ideal summer growing conditions, with an average January temperature of 27.5°C. A little cooler in the upper reaches of the King Valley.

We had a welcome rain event in mid February that gave us a little breathing space. All our Pinot Gris was hand picked and in near perfect condition at the winery. The fruit had lovely flavours and crisp acidity.

The 2017 vintage will prove to be our best vintage yet. I cannot remember a year where good yields were matched in harmony with such pristine fruit quality. The weather gods have smiled on us this year and it will be exciting to see the progression of these wines over the coming 12 months and beyond.

Fruit was 100% hand picked and whole bunch pressed, with free run and pressings portions kept separate.

No racking or clarification of the juice occurred, so the free run was fermented on juice solids.

Pressings were set aside and hyperoxidised to soften out any tannins before fermentation.

80% of the fruit was fermented with indigenous yeast and a 20% parcel using an aromatic Alsatian yeast isolate.

Barrels and tanks were lees stirred monthly until blending in early August.
Ferment was protein, cold stabilised and lightly fined in tank.

Settled and coarse lenticular cartridge prior to bottling. Winery Notes