2024 Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot Gris, Mornington Peninsula

The Montalto Pennon Hill Pinot Gris is a vibrant and expressive white from the cool, maritime climes of the Mornington Peninsula — a region that’s made a name for itself with aromatic whites and nuanced Pinot Noir. This wine is a wonderful ambassador for the Peninsula’s take on Pinot Gris: more Alsace-inspired than Italian, with texture, spice, and a generosity of fruit.

Montalto’s winemaking team, led by Simon Black, approaches the Pennon Hill range with a focus on drinkability and purity of site expression. Fruit for this Pinot Gris is sourced from cooler, elevated vineyards across the Peninsula, and picked early to retain freshness and acidity. A mix of stainless steel and older oak is used for fermentation, adding depth without overshadowing the fruit.

In the glass, the wine offers a lively bouquet of ripe pear, white nectarine, honeysuckle and crushed almonds, with a subtle lift of ginger and lemon myrtle. The palate is dry, rounded and textural, with just the right amount of phenolic grip to carry the fruit and give the wine a more serious edge. That gentle richness makes it a great companion to food — this is not a thin, watery Gris but one with substance and flow.

Mornington’s cool breezes and long ripening season help preserve beautiful acidity, giving the wine balance and length. Pennon Hill is crafted for immediate enjoyment, but it’s got enough weight and character to shine across a variety of dining tables.

Food pairing: Try it with pork and fennel sausages, Vietnamese grilled chicken and noodle salad, or a mushroom and leek tart with goat cheese. Also sings with scallops or creamy seafood pastas.

Cellar potential: Best enjoyed young and fresh within 2–4 years, though the wine’s structure and texture will hold it in good shape a little longer.