2024 Quealy Tussie Mussie Pinot Gris, Mornington Peninsula

Managed by the Quealy team, the Tussie Mussie vineyard was planted on the site of a former rose farm in 2007 (hence the name—tussie mussie is an old term for a flower bouquet). Located in Merricks North, the vineyard’s three hectares of Pinot Noir and Gris vines are rooted in the peninsula’s most prized soil: deep, red volcanic clays. Combined with the site’s northern location and north-facing aspect, these soils allow for slow ripening—key to developing complexity while maintaining bright natural acidity.

The fruit was picked over two passes in early and mid-March. The berries arrived at the winery in excellent condition: small, glossy-coloured and brimming with intense flavour. The fruit was pressed as whole bunches using a long cycle and fermented mostly in tank―10% was in barrel―with some solids. This was followed by seven months’ maturation on lees. It’s clear the 2024 season was a winner for whites at this address. This Tussie Mussie Gris is flush with fleshy fruits, flowers and spice with a delicious lick of marine salinity, seamless texture and balance and an elegant, powerfully flavoured close.

Quealy Tussie Mussie Pinot Gris from the Mornington Peninsula is a lively, aromatic white that brings texture, freshness, and just a little bit of the unexpected. Crafted by Kathleen Quealy—often dubbed the Queen of Pinot Gris in Australia—this wine comes from the Tussie Mussie vineyard in Merricks North, where the cool coastal climate and volcanic soils help shape beautifully expressive fruit.

The style is more Alsatian than Italian, with ripeness, spice, and mouthfeel playing a starring role. Fruit is hand-harvested, wild fermented, and aged briefly on lees in old barrels and stainless steel. That gentle touch brings out the best in the grape—plushness without weight, and vibrancy without sharpness.

Aromatically it’s full of golden pear, baked apple, jasmine and soft ginger spice. The palate follows with a generous feel—stone fruit, citrus pith, and a creamy mid-weight texture balanced by fresh acidity and a slightly savoury, mineral finish. It’s dry, but not austere, and completely delicious.

Perfect with Vietnamese pork rolls, roast chicken, miso eggplant, or even soft washed rind cheese. Chill it down but not too cold—this is a Pinot Gris that loves to open up in the glass.