Our Story
Pinot Noir Australia was born from a simple passion: a deep love for the elegant, complex wines produced in Australia's premier cool-climate regions. What started as weekend trips to the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula evolved into an obsession with understanding what makes Australian Pinot Noir so special on the world stage.
Our journey began in 2020 when a group of friends, all working in different industries but united by a shared appreciation for fine wine, started documenting their tasting experiences. We noticed something troubling: while Australia produces world-class Pinot Noir that rivals the best of Burgundy, many everyday wine lovers struggled to navigate the options. The information available was either too technical for beginners or too superficial to be genuinely helpful.
We set out to bridge that gap. Today, Pinot Noir Australia serves as a trusted resource for wine enthusiasts at every level. Whether you're opening your first bottle of Tasmanian Pinot or building a cellar of premium single-vineyard expressions, we're here to guide your journey with honest, accessible advice.
Our Approach to Wine Evaluation
We believe that great wine recommendations require genuine experience with the bottles we discuss. Unlike many wine websites that rely on press releases or secondhand information, our team personally tastes and evaluates every wine featured on our site. We purchase wines through the same channels as our readers, ensuring our reviews reflect real-world availability and value.
Our Evaluation Criteria
- Regional Authenticity: Does the wine express the unique terroir of its origin? We look for the lifted aromatics of Tasmania, the silky texture of Yarra Valley, and the savoury complexity of Mornington Peninsula.
- Balance and Structure: Great Pinot Noir harmonises fruit, acidity, tannins, and oak integration. We favour wines with elegance over extraction.
- Value Proposition: Is this wine worth its price point? We consider quality relative to cost at every level, from everyday drinkers to special occasion bottles.
- Consistency: We revisit wines across multiple vintages to ensure our recommendations remain reliable.
Meet Our Team
Our contributors bring diverse perspectives united by a common thread: genuine passion for Australian wine. From certified sommeliers to dedicated home collectors, our team represents the breadth of the wine-loving community.
James Mitchell, our founding editor, spent fifteen years in hospitality before transitioning to wine writing. His cellar focus is single-vineyard Tasmanian expressions, and he's particularly obsessed with the mineral-driven wines of the Coal River Valley. Sarah Chen brings a background in food science, offering technical insights into winemaking processes and fermentation techniques. Her analytical approach complements our tasting notes with deeper understanding of what's happening in the glass.
Michael Torres contributes our food pairing expertise, drawing on his experience as a former restaurant chef. He believes wine should enhance the dining experience, and his recommendations focus on practical, achievable combinations. Finally, Emma Westbrook handles our beginner-focused content, remembering well her own journey from wine novice to enthusiast and writing with accessibility as her guiding principle.
Our Commitment to You
We maintain complete editorial independence in our recommendations. When we include affiliate links, they never influence our opinions—we recommend wines first and find purchasing options second. Our readers' trust matters more than any commission, and we're committed to earning that trust with every article we publish.
We also believe in continuous learning. The Australian wine industry evolves constantly, with new producers, techniques, and vineyard sites emerging each vintage. We attend tastings, visit wineries, and stay connected with the winemaking community to ensure our recommendations remain current and relevant.
Join Our Community
Wine is meant to be shared, both in the glass and in conversation. We encourage you to explore our guides, use our comparison tools, and reach out with questions or recommendations of your own. Your feedback helps us improve and ensures we're covering the topics that matter most to Australian wine lovers.
Thank you for trusting Pinot Noir Australia as your guide to one of the world's most captivating grape varieties. Here's to many great bottles ahead.