2025 Bellvale Pinot Gris, Gippsland

A Pinot Gris that rises above many of the all-purpose Gris out there. Perhaps it’s the lovely, inviting scent that soars in spiced baked apple, Asian pear, quince, hints of ginger and acacia florals?  Perhaps it’s the combination of youth and depth of fruit to be explored on the palate as you discover inviting baked apple and pear dusted in spice with that ginger snap in the background before finishing on a citrus high note? Whatever it is, it is a Gris of some class. Drink to 2029.

92 points Jeni Port for Wine Pilot, June 2026

Mid-straw and bright. Lifted and fragrant aromas of pear, baked apple, sweet spice, melon and vanilla. Mouth-filling and textured, with a core of stone fruit, apple and crunchy acidity. There's grip and shape here and the finish is long. Drink to 2031.

91 points Aaron Brasher for The Real Review, August 2026

Quite pithy with nectarine, fresh apricot, white stone fruits and pastry. The palate is medium-bodied with moderate acidity and a slight phenolic grip, finishing with a fruity, voluptuous finish. Drink now.

90 points Ryan Montgomery for James Suckling, September 2026

Bellvale is a South Gippsland vineyard established by John Ellis in 1998 and purchased by the Gjergja family of Kooyong and Port Phillip Estate note in early 2025. All fruit is handpicked and transported to Kooyong, where the winemaking centres on preserving the vineyard’s inherent character.

The dry-grown high-density site is in the lush, cool and maritime influenced Tarwin River Valley on a north-facing hillside, its 19 hectares of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir vines standing in deep red volcanic loam at an elevation of 165 to 195 metres.

From an almost picture perfect 2025 vintage, the moderate yield of grapes for this wine were harvested at the beginning of March. The fruit was whole bunch pressed into older French oak barriques, fermented with indigenous yeasts and left on lees for ten months. The wine was racked once and filtered lightly in preparation of bottling.