Tasting Notes
Ripe Beurre Bosc pears with red apple and hints of feijoa, subtle musk stick, and jasmine add floral perfume, with the faintest note of wet rocks as well. Ripe pear infused with lavender and thyme fills out the flavour with supple acidity and a gentle line of textural, persistent plushness. Long and flavoursome, yet refined.

Due to the elevation of this vineyard, we continue to see a distinctly cool-climate Pinot Gris expression. Loads of ripe red apple and Beurre Bosc pear, with hints of kiwifruit and feijoa, add aromatic intrigue. Delicate rose petal, musk stick, and jasmine floral notes further lift the aromatic expression.

There is a richness and generosity marking the warmer conditions of this harvest, sitting across gentle lavender- and thyme-infused pears. Wet river rocks and slatey mineral texture carry the cinnamon spice we have come to appreciate from this vineyard. Silky acid provides a long and plush extension to the palate. Drink over the next two years with conviviality.

Vineyard Notes
A return to the longer-term trend of warmer and drier conditions put the milder and wetter growing and ripening seasons behind us. A very dry 2023 winter saw the soil profiles across NSW dry out after the extended run of very wet winters, bringing with it an early budburst in most grape-growing areas.

A delightful spring rolled nicely into summer, with warm, dry, and relatively stable conditions right through to autumn. The only shortcoming was dry soils creeping up on our vineyards, resulting in varying degrees of crop reduction. The benefit, of course, was excellent flavour development and an earlier harvest—which means fishing is on the cards once the grapes are in and while there is still some gentle autumn warmth in the air and water.

Winemaker Notes
The warmer and earlier ripening season in the NSW high country has given us abundant flavour and ripeness while ensuring nice acid retention and our customary lower pH levels. Crop levels were about average or slightly below, culminating in very good flavour build from happy, healthy vine canopies.

Hand-picking and whole-bunch pressing have ensured we minimise phenolic extraction and maintain the delicate floral characters we prize in cool-climate Pinot Gris. The Heifer Station Vineyard is very adept at producing grapes of the quality we desire. When you have dirt like this, you can keep the winemaking simple—giving an opportunity for the vines to speak clearly.

Food Pairing Notes
Perfectly matched with penne all’arrabiata or spaghetti aglio e olio—or simply on its own.