2022 Gathering Field Pinot Noir Shiraz, Yarra Valley

Gathering Field Pinot Noir Shiraz is one of those blends that feels quietly clever rather than contrived, drawing on two varieties that thrive in the cooler pockets of the Yarra Valley. The region’s mix of elevation, cooling breezes and long growing seasons gives both Pinot Noir and Shiraz the chance to ripen slowly, preserving perfume, spice and natural acidity. The result is a wine that sits beautifully between freshness and depth.

Gathering Field is very much about minimal intervention and letting vineyards speak. The fruit is sourced from carefully chosen Yarra Valley sites, with the winemaking focused on gentle extraction and balance rather than power. Blending Pinot Noir with Shiraz brings together Pinot’s lift and fragrance with Shiraz’s savoury spice and structure, creating something more complex than the sum of its parts.

In the glass, the wine is expressive and inviting. Red cherry, raspberry and cranberry lead the way, followed by black pepper, dried herbs and a subtle earthy note. The palate is medium bodied, silky and energetic, with fine tannins and bright acidity keeping everything fresh and flowing. It feels savoury, layered and distinctly cool climate in character.

This is a brilliant food wine. It works beautifully with roast chicken, grilled lamb, mushroom dishes or charcuterie, and it is just as happy slightly chilled on a warm evening. Drinking well now for its vibrancy and charm, it will also develop extra savoury complexity over the next five to seven years. A thoughtful, modern Yarra Valley blend that rewards curiosity.