October 5th – Which Australian wine region makes the best Pinot Noir? This is the question the annual Pinot Noir Challenge aims to uncover. Is it Mornington Peninsula, Adelaide Hills, Yarra Valley, Tasmania, Macedon Ranges, Great Southern…?
At a gala dinner at Cutler & Co in Melbourne last night, Tasmania was announced as the winner with its 2022 Meadowbank Pinot Noir made by winemaking legend Peter Dredge, marking the fourth win for Tasmania in the shows six-year history. After the top three wines were decided, it was an epic battle for top spot with Yarra Valley and Adelaide Hills also in contention. Many hours of deliberation ensued, with the judging panel, Chaired by Matt Harrop of Curly Flat Vineyard, agreeing that the Tasmanian entrant deserved the trophy.
Located in the Derwent Valley, Meadowbank is owned by the Ellis family and is regarded as a pioneer in Tasmanian viticulture, with Gerald Ellis planting vines on his property in 1976 despite wide scepticism. The warm days and cool nights have proven to be ideal for Pinot Noir with Meadowbank producing fruit of a near ethereal quality. Today, father and daughter duo, Gerald, and Mardi, manage the prestigious vineyard.
Mardi Ellis is elated with the win.
“What an honour and what an exhilarating ride! We feel extremely humbled and excited to receive this award. When Dad (Gerald Ellis) first started Meadowbank almost 50 years ago, he was told you couldn’t grow grapes in the cold wilderness of Tasmania. For our Pinot Noir to be recognised in this fabulous way is a nod to Gerald’s intuitive defiance, Pete’s deft winemaking and our family’s ongoing stewardship and respect for this magical place.” Ellis exclaimed.
Peter Dredge has been at the winemaking helm at Meadowbank since 2015 and has worked closely with the vineyard since 2010. In 2017 he was awarded the People’s Choice award at the Young Gun of Wine Awards and in 2020 he was a top 8 finalist for Gourmet Traveller WINE Winemaker of the year.
“It has been such a pleasure to work with this beautiful vineyard for 13 years now. Since becoming a partner with Meadowbank, our soul focus has been reinvigorating the single vineyard releases by homing in on the strengths and weaknesses of the vineyard which is abound with climatic challenges. It feels like the work and dedication may finally be coming to fruition. We would never presume to work harder than any other pinot noir producer in the country. We all work our arses off. If you know pinot, you know… bastard of a thing it is.” Dredge commented.
Lindsay McCall, Chair of the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge is delighted to see such strong representation across 18 premium pinot noir producing regions. Entries have grown close to 20% on the previous year which is testament to the shows growing reputation and its ability to amplify sales and brand recognition for its past winners.
“Australia is universally recognised as a premium pinot noir producing country. Our competitive edge is the outstanding quality of pinot produced in so many cool climate regions.” McCall said.
“The Australian Pinot Noir Challenge celebrates the incredible wines from all regions and the ethereal nature of this complex and captivating variety that has become the worlds most exclusive and expensive wine.” He concluded.
About The Australian Pinot Noir Challenge
The Australian Pinot Noir Challenge is an initiative of the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association yet is a truly Australian celebration of the best regions and pinot noir producers in the country. This is the sixth edition of the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge which began in 2017.
Previous winners of the Pinot Noir Challenge are
- 2022 – 2021 Clarence House Block 1 Pinot Noir (Tas)
- 2021 – 2020 Ossa Pinot Noir (Tas)
- 2020 – No event due to COVID
- 2019 – 2018 Tertini Pinot Noir (Tas)
- 2018 – 2017 Handpicked Mornington Peninsula Collection Pinot Noir (MP)
- 2017 – 2016 Yes Said the Seal Pinot Noir (Geelong)
