2026 Bloody Hill Villages Cabernet, Yarra Valley

Bloody Hill Villages has its origins as a more affordable lineup wines from German-born winemaker Timo Mayer’s eponymous Yarra Valley brand.

Timo and his partner Rhonda Ferguson’s son Rivar Ferguson-Meyer has now taken the lead for Bloody Hill Villages. The overarching idea of presenting affordable, fruit-forward and ready-on-release Yarra Valley wines remains, while he’s increasingly shining light on the subregional differences within the region.

The fruit is mainly sourced from contract growers, but recent dedicated plantings at his parents’ estate at Mount Toolebewong will give him steady access to home-grown fruit in the future.

The Cabernet Sauvignon fruit for this wine came from Coldstream, with third of the fruit destemmed and the balance was fermented as whole bunches.

The result is a medium-bodied claret-style Cabernet that greets with incredibly fragrant aromas of black currants, violets and licorice. Bright and lively, the elegant and texturally supple palate continues the theme, with subtle, fine tannins rounding up a Cabernet that is a delicious, incredibly approachable and nothing like the mainstream interpretations of the variety.

Enjoy this with the silkiness of roasted portobellos stuffed with lentils and thyme, fish-fragrant eggplant or charred cabbage dressed with miso butter and roasted black sesame seeds.