Cornelius Pinot Gris
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 2–6 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
pan-seared scallops, roasted pork belly, creamy chicken fricassee
✨ Technical Specifications
The Cornelius range represents the pinnacle of Scotchmans Hill's winemaking philosophy, showcasing small-batch, single-vineyard expressions from the cool, maritime climate of the Bellarine Peninsula. The Cornelius Pinot Gris is crafted in a rich, complex Alsatian style rather than a simple Pinot Grigio style. Sourced from low-yielding estate vines grown on black volcanic soils, the grapes undergo wild yeast fermentation in seasoned French oak barriques, followed by extended lees stirring (bâtonnage). This traditional technique imparts a luscious, textured mouthfeel and savory complexity, beautifully balancing the natural, vibrant acidity driven by the Southern Ocean breezes.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1982 by David and Vivienne Browne on an erstwhile dairy farm, Scotchmans Hill stands as the pioneer and quintessential benchmark estate of Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula within the Geelong wine region. Perched atop the peninsula's extinct volcanic outcrop, the vineyards benefit from fertile black basaltic clays over limestone subsoils, complemented by maritime microclimates moderated by Port Phillip Bay and the Southern Ocean. Under the stewardship of long-tenured Chief Winemaker Robin Brockett, who joined the fold in 1988, the estate champions low-intervention viticulture certified under Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. Brockett's cellar philosophy prioritizes site-driven purity, native fermentations, sensitive French oak integration, and extended lees maturation. Scotchmans Hill produces distinguished cold-climate expressions, most notably its flagship Estate and Cornelius Chardonnay, tactile Pinot Gris, and estate Sauvignon Blanc, alongside celebrated regional ventures like the Henry Frost Riesling and approachable Jack & Jill tiers.
🍇 Grapes
Pinot Gris
🍷 ABV
13.5%