2026 Bloody Hill Villages Pinot Gris, 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 2026 Pinot Gris fruit came from fifteen-year-old Healesville vines in the vineyard next door to the Ferguson-Meyer family vineyard. The grapes were whole bunch pressed and fermented in well-seasoned oak barrels without malolactic conversion.

This wine has been a highlight in the Bloody Hill Villages lineup for a number of years now. It draws you in with lively, spicy pear and apple aromas, with the palate offering generous, long lasting, bright and chalky fruit.

Drinks well on release and should keep well for a couple of years in the bottle, too. Pair with Korean Haemul Pajeon, Thai duck Larb Ped or Filipino-style pork belly adobo.