2026 Primo Estate Joseph Pinot Grigio d'Elena, Adelaide Hills

Pale lemon-yellow colour with an amazing bouquet of ripe pears, white flowers, and ground Middle Eastern spices. The palate shows great concentration and density of pear fruit, with layers of spice, pastry, and floral complexities adding character and detail to the experience. Acidity is there, lifting a touch of lemon zest around the edges, while hints of phenolic grip bring further tension and drive to a long and persistent finish. This is as serious as pinot grigio gets. Drink to 2031.

95 points Stuart Knox for The Real Review, September 2026

This sits in a textural, medium-weight zone for white wine, with a sense of restraint, purity and finesse. It's a class act as the variety goes, resplendent with nashi pear, green apple, faint gingery and lemongrass notes; it feels fragrant, lively and cool. The flicker of briny minerality through the finish is a clincher. Very pleasing, though a little extra time in bottle would be handy to mesh things even better. Drink to 2030.

93+ points Mike Bennie for Halliday Wine Companion, August 2026

Primo Estate has always done things a little differently. Founded by Joe Grilli after his family emigrated from Italy, the McLaren Vale winery has built a loyal following for wines that blend Italian heritage with Australian fruit and flair. The d'Elena range, named after Joe's daughter Elena, has become one of the country's most recognisable expressions of modern Pinot Grigio.

Fruit for the Joseph Pinot Grigio d'Elena is sourced from the cool slopes of the Adelaide Hills, where elevation and chilly nights preserve freshness and aromatic detail. The region's long growing season allows the grapes to ripen slowly, producing a style that balances generosity with the crisp, refreshing character that Pinot Grigio lovers crave.

The colour is a brilliant pale straw with green highlights. Aromas of nashi pear, green apple and lemon zest leap from the glass alongside hints of white flowers and fresh herbs. The palate is bright and lively, combining citrus and orchard fruit flavours with a subtle textural richness that adds interest without sacrificing refreshment. A gentle mineral thread and crisp acidity carry the wine through a long, clean finish.

A wonderful match for freshly shucked oysters, grilled calamari, zucchini fritters with mint and feta or spaghetti with prawns, chilli and garlic. Drink now and over the next two to four years while its freshness and vibrancy are at their peak.