Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot Gris 2024 (Mornington)

The 2024 vintage began with stable weather and cloud cover from September to November. However, some rain events during the critical flowering period resulted in poor fruit set, especially in uphill vineyards, while downhill sites fared better. Wet and humid conditions later in the year increased disease pressure and lush growth. Our vineyard team worked tirelessly to maintain vineyard and fruit health. A change in fortunes brought a seven-week dry spell starting at veraison, leading to excellent fruit development. Harvest began on February 9th, our earliest on record, and concluded early on March 13th.

Predominantly (75%) hailing from the Tuerong subregion at the northern end of the Peninsula, with the balance of fruit coming from our cooler Red Hill vineyard.

This wine has been made with a view to preserving freshness and varietal definition, whilst combining some added complexity through different vinification methods. All grapes were whole bunch pressed, with 61% of the blend being cold settled in stainless steel to achieve a brightly clarified juice before racking and inoculation with QA23 yeast. The balance of juice was transferred directly to old French oak barriques, complete with solids, where wild yeast were utilised to conduct the ferment.