2025 Hoddles Creek Estate Pinot Gris, Yarra Valley

From two plots – one picked early with the later seeing more skin contact. A pale, bright cured salmon colour. Delicately perfumed with its aromas of red apple, cranberry, orange zest and a touch of rose petal. Mouth-filling and flavoursome, this finishes with a touch of tannin on the satisfying and long finish. You'd be hard pushed to find a better gris than this at the price.

95 points Special Value Philip Rich winecompanion.com.au

Hoddles Creek Estate Pinot Gris is a benchmark expression of cool climate Pinot Gris from the Yarra Valley, shaped by altitude, volcanic influenced soils and a consistently thoughtful approach to vineyard and cellar work. The vineyards sit in the upper Yarra, where cooler temperatures, longer ripening periods and significant diurnal shifts allow Pinot Gris to develop flavour slowly while retaining freshness and natural acidity. These conditions favour a textural, savoury style rather than overt sweetness, giving the wine both immediacy and depth.

Hoddles Creek Estate was established in the late 1990s and has become one of the Yarra Valley’s most reliable producers, particularly for Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. The estate’s winemaking philosophy centres on minimal intervention, careful handling of fruit and a strong emphasis on balance and site expression. Pinot Gris is treated with respect, harvested at optimal ripeness and handled gently to preserve varietal character, with subtle lees work adding texture and complexity without heaviness.

In the glass the wine shows a pale straw colour with a faint copper hue. Aromas are fresh and expressive, offering pear, apple and white peach layered with hints of citrus, almond and a gentle floral note. The palate is medium bodied and finely textured, delivering orchard fruit flavours framed by bright acidity and a clean, savoury finish with subtle phenolic grip. It is exceptionally food friendly, pairing beautifully with seafood, pork, Asian inspired dishes and vegetable based cuisine. While designed for early enjoyment, it also has the balance to develop over three to five years, gaining more nutty and savoury complexity with time.

Hoddles Creek Estate Pinot Gris is a confident and well crafted Yarra Valley white, combining freshness, texture and regional clarity in a style that consistently delivers both quality and versatility.