Lethbridge Pinot Gris 2025

Description

Maree Collis and Ray Nadeson are not your average winemaker/owners of a boutique winery. Both were initially trained as research scientists and hold PhD degrees in chemistry and medicine, respectively. Mid career they made the decision to pursue their alternate passion and together with friend Adrian Thomas established Lethbridge Wines in 1996. Both Maree and Ray completed their winemaking degree at Charles Sturt University after which Ray concluded “winemaking is not really that different to science, both are creative and both involve 99% perspiration, 1% inspiration”.

Not surprisingly, the site at Lethbridge was selected based on scientific principles such as soil type, degree days and other climatic indicators, yet after purchasing the property in Lethbridge they discovered an ancient old wooden fermentation vat in one of the old sheds. Further investigation revealed that site had originally been planted by Swiss vignerons in the 1870’s before the scourge of phylloxera decimated the Geelong wine region. This story is compelling in the connection between traditional wisdom and modern science.

The focus of Lethbridge Wines is to produce wines that are textural, savoury and reveal characters true to variety and terroir.  The wines of Lethbridge are generally single varietal wines or mirror a traditional European blend.  The winemaking team, led by Ray Nadeson, are committed to excellence.  The fruit, if not estate grown, is from selected special sites tended by passionate people.  The barrels are directly imported, with Ray even visiting the forests with the Coopers to select the trees to be felled and the wines are benchmarked with the best in the world.  Each vintage something new is learned.

While best known for the varieties of the Geelong region, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz, Lethbridge also produce a wide range which includes Riesling, Pinot Gris, Viognier, Merlot, Sangiovese and more, with the most recent exciting addition to the vineyard and cellar being Gamay.

About this wine: Fruit for the 2025 Lethbridge Pinot Gris was sourced from vineyards in Henty and Geelong. Henty is one of the coolest GIs in Victoria and consistently produces low yields of high-quality fruit. The Geelong sites which sit on shist, clay and limestone producer larger yields of highly aromatic fruit so comprise a larger portion of the blend this year. The wine was vinified in small batches, with some pressed off skins immediately and others given up to two days of skin contact. Fermented with indigenous yeasts before maturation in foudre and large-format oak, it’s an intensely aromatic Gris of tension, texture and fantastic length.

From the winemaker about this wine: “Made in a complex Alsatian style, small batches are wild fermented in new French oak. Some portions have a touch of skin contact. Aged on fine lees in foudre before being bottled young and fresh. This wine is intensely aromatic showing notes of red apple skin, earthy citrus and spice. Tension and texture on the palate give it fantastic length.”

95 points, Philip Rich, The Wine Companion “Fermented and matured in stainless, wood and amphora. A light, bright colour. Another aromatic gris from Lethbridge with its aromas of pear, honey and spice. It’s ripe and flavourful on the palate, but the key here is just how bright the acidity is, keeping this delicious wine balanced and fresh. Drink now and over the next two to three years.”