Gary Farr is one of the most iconic winemakers in the country. He was responsible for taking Bannockburn Vineyards in Geelong to the startling heights it reached; one of the benchmark producers of Burgundian varieties in the country. His own label, By Farr, is considered to be Australia’s leading producer of those same varieties. The Farr vineyards are based in the Moorabool Valley in Geelong, with a wide array of ancient soils resulting in small yields of incredibly intensely flavoured Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Shiraz and Viognier. With Gary’s son Nick now pulling the winemaking reigns alongside his father, this is a project set to dominate Geelong wine for years to come.
98 Points James Halliday
A multifaceted blend of pinot from tightly spaced propitious sites, all on an exposed hillside: loams, gravel, clays and limestone abutting sandstone. This complex geology imparts a depth and multitude of textures to the resultant wine, a delicious and sumptuous potpourri of sour cherry, strawberry, damson plum, five-spice and lilac. Beautifully perfumed and all soprano; the tannins a curtain of a detailed weave. Plenty of whole-bunch spice, too, as is the estate’s wont Buried. Barely discernible. Delicious. Balletic and verging on effortless. Drink by 2026.
