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The Yarra Valley is
The Place for Pinot
Cool climate, ancient soils and generations of expertise make the Yarra Valley The Place for Pinot—a region where elegance, purity and balance come naturally.
No two Pinots are the same. From bright and perfumed to dark and savoury, embark on a pinot wine trail through the Yarra Valley during The Place for Pinot showcase for wine lovers to taste diversity in every glass.
Not a Pinot Noir lover? The Yarra Valley is home to several Pinot grape varieties, thanks to the region’s cool-climate conditions — especially well-suited for delicate grapes.
Join the trail, experience the Pinot’s on offer and enter the competition as many times as you like. Every visit gives you an entry for the chance to win one of two Yarra Valley Pinot Prize packs featuring world class cool-climate wines, a t-shirt and tote.
How to experience
The Place For Pinot 2026
- Join The Place for Pinot trail HERE
- Subscribe and visit participating cellar doors from 20 March to 27 April, 2026.
- Scan the QR code at the cellar door for their Pinot offering to earn your point and redeem for your competition entry.
- Look out for the perks on offer from participating wineries.
What Pinot varieties will you find in the Yarra Valley?
Pinot Noir – the flagship Pinot red of the region.
This is by far the most widely planted and celebrated Pinot variety in the Yarra Valley, producing elegant to medium-bodied red wines with flavours like strawberry, cherry, plum and spice. Fruit from cooler sites is also used in premium sparkling wines.
Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio – cool-climate white Pinot.
Often labelled as either Pinot Gris (richer, sometimes textural and stone fruit-driven) or Pinot Grigio (lighter, crisper style), both variants are produced in the region. Yarra Pinot Gris/Grigio typically has pear, apple and citrus characters and can be made in both savoury and fruit-forward styles.
Pinot Blanc – a less common white Pinot variety.
While not a major planting like Pinot Noir or Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc is also among the grapes grown in the region and occasionally appears in winery releases or blends.Â
Pinot Meunier – the sparkling specialist.
A key variety in the region’s premium sparkling wines, Pinot Meunier brings softness and early-drinking fruit character to the blend. It is occasionally made as a still red wine in its own right and well worth seeking out.
The Place For Pinot Participating WineriesÂ
The wineries below each have a Pinot offering for you to experience. Subscribe to the wine trail HERE to see what’s on, including special offers, perks and more.
View all Wine Yarra Valley Events at our Events Calendar Here.
Pinot Facts & Tips
What's special about Yarra Valley pinot?
Pinot varieties prefer cooler climates because they ripen early and are sensitive to heat. That’s why regions with crisp nights and gentle sunshine — like the Yarra Valley — are ideal for producing elegant, aromatic and beautifully balanced Pinot wines.
But what makes the Yarra Valley truly distinctive is what’s underfoot. The region’s north features ancient grey-brown clay soils, over 450 million years old, producing wines that tend to be lush and fruit-forward. The south is dominated by younger, deep red volcanic soils that retain warmth and yield Pinots with a distinct perfume and finer structure. Two soil stories, one region — and a compelling reason to visit more than one cellar door.
Pinot is a shape-shifter
Named after the French word for pine cone (pin) — a nod to the variety’s tight, conical grape bunches — Pinot has a remarkable family story. Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Meunier are all natural genetic mutations of a single original vine, which means the red, white and sparkling varieties you’ll taste across the Yarra Valley are, in a sense, siblings.
Pinot is a sparkling superstar
While famous as a red wine, Pinot Noir is also one of the key grapes in premium sparkling wine — and in the Yarra Valley, it truly shines in both styles. Together with Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, it forms the classic trio behind the region’s finest traditional-method sparkling wines (the same varieties used in Champagne). Look for all three listed on the label. And if you spot a Sparkling Rosé or Blanc de Noirs, you’re looking at a wine made entirely — or almost entirely — from Pinot Noir and/or Pinot Meunier. A great excuse to explore beyond the reds.
Think lighter pairings
Because Pinot Noir is elegant and medium-bodied, it pairs best with dishes that won’t overpower it. Think duck, mushroom risotto, salmon, or even roast chicken. It’s a red that behaves with the finesse of a white — incredibly food friendly.
Keep it cool
Pinot Noir shines slightly cooler than most reds. Serve it around 14–16°C (pop it in the fridge for 20–30 minutes before pouring). This keeps the wine vibrant, lifts the aromatics, and highlights those beautiful cherry and spice notes.
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#theplaceforpinot
Stay tasteful while tasting. Drink Responsibly.
