Innocent Bystander Pinot Gris

Innocent Bystander's reputation has been built upon the style of their regional and varietal wines, which reflect the soil, climate and topography of the cool Yarra Valley. Owned by one of Australia's leading family-owned wine companies, Brown Brothers, the Yarra Valley fruit is harvested and immediately transported to their winery in Milawa, Northern Victoria. Here the winemaking team process the grapes in their 'Kindergarten Winery', specially designed for small batches and different winemaking techniques for minimal intervention.

Vineyards

The grapes are 100% hand-picked from two very special vineyards from the upper King Valley: Symphonia Vineyard at Myrrhee (altitude 350 metres) and Crouchers Vineyard at Whitlands (altitude 800 metres). Both these parcels add a spike of minerally citrus to the wine.

Vinification

The fruit was 100% hand picked and whole bunch pressed. 70% of the fruit went into stainless steel for a long, cold fermentation to preserve freshness in the wine. The remaining 30% of the fruit was fermented and matured in French oak (10% new) to give a luscious mouthfeel.

Tasting Notes

The nose is brimming with fresh cut pears, snow pea shoots, and notes of lemon thyme. The palate is marked with lime flowers and an intriguing touch of miso. It is fresh, crisp and bone-dry and finishes with a lemon sorbet twang.