2026 Bloody Hill Villages Pinot Noir, 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 Noir comes from those now five-year-old vines and was fermented with a 10% inclusion of whole bunches and six-month maturation in seasoned French oak hogsheads.

Fragrant, bright and vibrant, this is a supple and pure-fruited Pinot with silky tannins and light touch of spice that is at its best within a couple of years from the vintage.

Enjoy with mushroom and taleggio pizzette, roasted carrots with whipped feta and dukkah or a salad of grilled pork belly, shaved fennel and apples.