Every year on August 18th, wine lovers around the world raise a glass to Pinot Noir Day - a celebration of one of the most beloved, yet notoriously challenging, grape varieties on earth.
Pinot Noir has been called the “heartbreak grape” for good reason. With its thin skin, fussy growing conditions, and delicate temperament in the winery, it has tested the patience of winemakers for centuries. A little too much rain, too much sun, or even the wrong soil, and Pinot Noir simply refuses to shine. And yet - when it does - it creates wines of breathtaking elegance, complexity, and charm.
At Victorian Alps Wine Co, we know all too well why Pinot Noir breaks hearts - and why it wins them back again and again. It’s a variety that thrives in cool-climate regions like our own King Valley, where crisp alpine air and rich soils give it vibrancy and depth. Pinot Noir is a wine that rewards patience and precision, but it also rewards the drinker - offering flavours that are bright, layered, and endlessly intriguing.
For us, Pinot Noir embodies the spirit of the Victorian Alps: adventurous, elegant, and deeply connected to nature. Each sip offers something new - cherry, raspberry, and strawberry fruits layered with spice, earthiness, and a whisper of oak. It’s a wine that’s just as comfortable at a fireside dinner with friends as it is paired with a simple mid-week meal.
It’s versatile. It’s soulful. And it never stops surprising you. That’s why, heartbreak or not, Pinot Noir is one of our great loves.
At Victorian Alps Wine Co, we craft Pinot Noir with both passion and respect for its complexity. Two wines close to our heart capture its personality beautifully:
Classic King Valley Pinot at its best. A vibrant deep red with lifted aromas of cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, balanced by violets, spice, and a hint of oak. On the palate, you’ll find morello cherry, forest fruits, and cool-climate acidity that gives the wine life and intensity. Generous, complex, and layered - it’s a wine that speaks of its alpine origins.
The Buffalo 2023 Rosé (Pinot Noir)
Proof that Pinot Noir doesn’t just excel as a red wine. On release, it shows a pale salmon-pink hue with aromas of strawberry, cranberry, raspberry, and Provencal herbs. The palate is fresh and energetic, with summer berries, apricot kernel, and mineral acidity. Sophisticated yet playful, it’s a Rosé that lingers long after the last sip - perfect for sharing with friends, après-ski, or a sunny afternoon outdoors.
Raise a Glass This Pinot Noir Day
On Pinot Noir Day, we’re not just celebrating a grape. We’re celebrating the thrill of persistence, the beauty of nature, and the reward of craft. Pinot Noir may be the heartbreak grape, but it’s also the grape that inspires some of the most memorable moments in wine.
So, whether you’re serving a Rosé on the deck, pouring a Pinot Noir by the fire, or sharing a bottle after a day’s adventure, take a moment to savour the magic. After all, life - like Pinot - is all about embracing the challenge, the beauty, and the joy of discovery.