William Downie

Tolmie Pinot Noir 750mL

Tolmie 2025

Having driven from Mansfield, in the Upper Goulburn region of Victoria, over the hill and through the town of Tolmie to the King Valley many times, I’d noted the unique, pinky red volcanic soils in the road cuttings on the way up the hill. I’d never seen a soil type like it and wondered why no one had planted vines in the area. I was certain it would make beautiful wine. A couple of vintages ago a friend called and said he had some extra fruit from near Mansfield and would I be interested in taking some. Sight unseen I said yes. The wine we made from that parcel was a real surprise. It had bright, crunchy red fruit and a tannin structure like nothing we had made for Cathedral before. I had visited a number of vineyards in the area in the past and couldn’t understand how this wine was possible. The following winter, with the same friend who found the fruit for us, we drove up to visit the grower. As we left Mansfield, I had expected him to turn right at the roundabout on the edge of town to go in the direction of the wine growing area but instead he drove straight through in the direction of Tolmie. As soon we left the roundabout I yelled out ‘I know exactly what’s going on! I’ll bet you everything I have that this vineyard is on the pink soil!’ About 10 minutes later we drove down a narrow dirt road into a vineyard planted in bright pinky red volcanic soil.

The 2025 Pinot Noir is about 70% Barwite vineyard below the town of Tolmie in the Upper Goulburn with 25% Mornington Peninsula and the balance from the King Valley. The nose is complex and difficult to describe but shows bright berry fruits, miso, tobacco leaf and freshly rained on rock. The palate is chewy and dense with more dark and red fruits, spice and stone.

Drink 2025 - 2032