Description

Farr Rising is the work of Nick Farr, who is the son of Gary Farr. But Nick is a talented winemaker in his own right. Having worked both in Geelong and internationally he has taken this wealth of knowledge and set about crafting wines that are slightly more edgy than his Dad.

A portion of the Farr Rising Pinot Noir juice was run off after a few hours of skin contact. This concentrates the Pinot ferment, but also gives some lovely colours juice for Rose production. Barrel-fermented using natural yeast and kept at cool temperatures. Full malolacitc fermentation is allowed to take place and the wine is then placed in four- and five-year-old barrels for 10 months before being filtered and bottled.

The wine itself is almost like a light Pinot Noir. Dry, textural, savoury with good structure. Best of all it possesses the charms of Pinot Noir. What is not to love?

Geelong

Within the GI of Geelong there is some distinctly different climates, diverse soil profiles and strong personalities. And it helps that there are quite a few producers making interesting and exciting wines here. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz all excel but in the right site there are plenty of other varieties that can do well.

Pinot Noir

This is the most elusive grape. It is relatively early ripening and extremely sensitive to terroir. Its perfect place on earth is the Cote d’Or in Burgundy. So haunting are great red Burgundy’s charms that growers everywhere try to emulate them. Pinot Noir is not just a one trick pony, it can make great reds, rosé, sparkling and even sweet wines, whites on occasion and I’ve tasted a decent fortified Pinot Noir too.