Awards, Ratings & Reviews
“Deep, dark, and vibrant in the glass. The nose is intense — dark spice, a punch of salinity, savoury herbs and graphite. Beneath the assertive opening sits a perfumed musk and confectionary lift that hints at carbonic maceration. A second pass reveals brown spice — mace and clove — alongside ripe Christmas cherries. The palate delivers summer berries and cream, with a supple texture and generous weight that sets it apart from many examples of the grape yet remains true to its varietal character.”
— Ben Knight, Wine Critic · 2025 Vintage
About This Wine
The growing season leading up to the 2025 vintage was sporadic, with bursts of warmth and occasional rain events. The team worked carefully with hand weeding and canopy shoot selection to ensure the vineyards benefited from each rainfall.
The 2025 vintage began quickly from the 26th of February, with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir harvested first before attention turned to Gamay and Shiraz. Ripening conditions after mid-March were cooler with some rain, allowing gradual ripening and the development of layered flavours.
The grapes are hand-picked and placed in the tank as whole bunches. The tank is sealed and left for 10 days to ferment naturally and release carbonic fruit aromas. The fruit is foot stomped, pressed on days 11 and 12, and then placed in five-year-old barrels to finish fermentation before being bottled eight months later.
About the Producer
Wine by Farr is a wine producer based in Bannockburn in the cool and dry Moorabool Valley in the Geelong subregion of Victoria. The estate produces a range of red, white and rosé wines from varieties including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Viognier, with Pinot Noir representing the majority of production.
The estate was established in 1994 by Robyn and Gary Farr in Bannockburn, west of Geelong and approximately 90km southwest of Melbourne. Vineyard plantings have expanded to around 36 acres under vine.
The winery is now run by the second generation, Nick and Cassie Farr, and produces three main ranges: By Farr, Farr Rising and Irrewarra.
The winery was named Australian Winery of the Year by the Australian publication Good Food in 2022.
Specifications
Vintage: 2025
Grape Variety: Gamay
Fermentation: Whole bunch fermentation in sealed tank for 10 days followed by barrel fermentation
Maturation: Finished fermentation in five-year-old barrels; bottled after eight months