Now in its sixth year, Pinot Palooza is back to celebrate Australia and New Zealand’s best pinot producers this weekend.
And since we can’t all live on Pinot Noir alone (trust us: we've tried), a smorgasboard of food is on offer from Porteno, Bodega 1904, Yarra Valley Dairy, Burger Project in Sydney, Blackbird in Melbourne, La Bastide, Epic Pizza, Agape Organic, Granny Ivy and Dolce Bacio and more.
The festival is the brainchild of Bottle Shop Concepts’ Dan Sims (the man who also brought us Game of Rhones). We wanted to help you whittle down the 250 wines that are available for tasting from over 100 producers, so asked Dan for some guidance.
“Whilst picking only five producers is like asking to pick your favourite child, below are a few definitely worth seeking out,” Sims tells SBS. “I reckon they highlight the range of styles on offer at Pinot Palooza.”
Here are Dan’s picks of the bunch for the thirsty and time-poor (in Dan’s words):
Pinot Palooza combines everyone’s favourite grape with food from some of Australia’s most celebrated chefs. Source: Bottle Shop Concepts
Agape Organic and Epic Pizza are among food vendors at the festival. Source: Bottle Shop Concepts
Main Stage: Yabby Lake (Mornington Peninsula, Vic)
Cool, calm and collected are the wines from Yabby Lake with a stealth like power underneath. The kinda wines that really creep up on you (in a good way). Always delivers.
Fringe Stage: Swinging Bridge (Orange, NSW)
These are really interesting wines and I like they are not the typical ‘mainstream’ style of Pinot Noir. A little more ethereal than what you might expect. Enjoy the ride.
Dance Tent: Maude and Charteris (Central Otago, NZ)
Whilst they’re two different wineries, putting them together makes sense. They make super fun wines that automatically put a skip in your step.
Emerging Talent: Dirty Three (Gippsland, Vic)
There is something happening Gippsland-way and I have a hunch this is ‘the' dark horse region for Pinot at the moment. I can certainly attest to these wines based on the number of empty bottles I have at my house.
New Release: Ghost Rock (Tasmania)
Whilst a first time for them at the event, I’ve been following Justin’s wines for a while. Very cool, interesting and a great example of the all the exciting things coming out of Tasmania right now.
VIP: Yarra Yering (Yarra Valley, Vic)
There is no doubt Sarah Crowe is making some excellent wines at the moment. These are seriously good without being inaccessible.
Navigating your way around the room can be daunting so we suggest focus on the regions first. And to make it easier, the floor plan (which you get on arrival) is colour-coded to help you find what you like. From light, medium to darker / fuller flavoured styles.
Grab a glass. Put a skip in your step and get ready to Pinot Palooza.
Pinot Palooza - Melbourne: Saturday 7th October, 1pm till 6pm
Town Square Pavilion Melbourne Showgrounds
Sydney: Sunday 8th October, 1pm till 6pm
Carriage Works, Blacksmith’s Workshop 245 Wilson Street, Eveleigh
Brisbane: Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th October, 1pm till 6pm Light Space 30 Light Street, Fortitude Valley
