Five in a row for Tassie Pinot

Tasmanian winery Bremley Vineyard has won the 2024 Pinot Noir Challenge – the fifth consecutive year a Tassie wine has won it.

The award was announced at a gala dinner held at Cutler & Co in Melbourne on Thursday night.

Led by Tom Carson, an elite judging panel – comprising some of the finest Pinot Noir minds in the country – deliberated over more than 300 entries.

After selecting a regional winner, choosing the ultimate prize was a difficult decision.

“While the 2023 Bremley Pinot Noir from the Coal River came out on top, it was a tight competition for first place, with the Yarra Valley’s Giant Steps 2023 Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir an extremely close second, requiring lengthy deliberations from the judges to finalise the winner,” Carson says.

Giant Steps impressed the panel with all four of its entries earning gold medals, as well as a regional trophy.

Meanwhile, Western Australia, with only 10 entries, showcased its growing potential by scoring two golds from different regions, confirming the potential that devoted producers in the west have long believed in.

“The 2023 Bremley Coal River Pinot Noir is a beautifully crafted wine, combining power and elegance with the silkiest of tannins and a refined finish that lingers endlessly,” Carson says.

“In fact, the Coal River region dominated the state of Tasmania and the awards in general.

“The region is flexing its Pinot Noir muscle in wine shows, and as the vines age and viticulturists and winemakers continue to hone their craft, there’s no sign of this momentum slowing anytime soon.”

Bremley Vineyard, located in the Coal River Valley, is the northernmost vineyard in the region which is part of what makes it unique.

“We are right at the top of the Coal Valley,” says James Bresnehan, who owns the property with his partner Vanessa.

“The vineyard is situated on an elevated site in a natural amphitheater, protecting the vines from the hot northwesterly winds of summer. This, along with the black cracking clay intertwined with dolerite rock, is what makes it so unique.”

When James and Vanessa Bresnehan purchased the property in 2008, it consisted of just two hectares of Chardonnay.

Since then, they’ve expanded their plantings to include Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Gamay.

“We were blown away to get the call for this award,” says Bresnehan.

“Since 2008, we’ve been developing the vineyard with a hands-on and sustainable approach.

“We’ve predominantly sold fruit to other producers, including Penfolds for its well-known Yattarna label.

“We knew the fruit was exceptional, and the desire to create iconic single-vineyard wines grew stronger.

“That opportunity finally came in 2021 when we teamed up with acclaimed winemakers Justin Bubb and Anna Pooley.”

Chair of the Pinot Noir Challenge, Lindsay McCall, says, “This win exemplifies the world-class quality of Pinot Noir coming from Tasmania.”