We are delighted to announce our Handpicked Wines Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2021 has won the Best of Region Trophy at this year’s edition of the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge – and for the 3rd year in a row!
The Australian Pinot Noir Challenge celebrates Pinot Noir in all its forms. Over three decades, the pinot noir community across regions has been brought together by a shared passion to improve, innovate and learn how to achieve pinot poir wines of superior quality. They have become a cohesive, intimate community determined to bring Australian pinot noir to a level which is world class. this achievement and all the elements which makes Australian pinot noir such a captivating, ethereal and elegant wine.
The Challenge brings the best of Australia’s pinot noirs to the attention of industry and consumers and help inform wine lovers about what makes Australian pinot noir distinctive and remarkable following riguorous assesment from the panel of regional characteristics and quality.
"We are incredibly excited and proud that in all the diversity found in Pinot Noir, ours has won this again. We have been a finalist on all four editions of the Challenge's history, and hitting the podium for a third time is a fantastic achievement."– Peter Dillon Chief Winemaker
This wine will be released in January 2023, and is undoubtedly a gem in our portfolio for its distinct sense of place offering. Handpicked Collection Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir is a testament to our winemaking philosophy, where the chosen varieties best express the character of the region and the personality of the site offering both complexity and depth of flavour.
In the words of our winemaker Rohan Smith - "...competition this year was fierce, and to be recognised as the best is an absolute honour. We are terribly proud and humbled to bring the Trophy home once again!..."
This recognition comes as no surprise to the quality of this wine vintage after vintage, with our 2018 and 2019 vintages receiving 95pt by Halliday Wine Companion, and being described as "...a richly tapestried pinot."by Ned Goodwin MW and "...dangerously delicious..." by Jane Faulkner respectively.