Though there is no shortage of pinot grigio produced in Italy, there are a few regions where they take this grape seriously and make some incredible wines from it. My goal was to make something a bit more than your average pinot grigio white wine by sourcing from the ideal region in Victoria. The King Valley is the unofficial home of Pinot Grigio in Australia thanks in part to the region's warm days and cool nights, and also in part to the population of Italian migrants who settled there. In 2024 I was fortunate to be able to purchase grapes from the Cavedon Vineyard, one of the first in the region to plant the variety.
Fruit was harvested and immediately pressed before being transported as juice, two-thirds free run and one-third pressings. After settling 85 % of the juice was racked to a variety of barrels and 15% stainless steel for fermentation. Malolactic fermentation was halted once fermented, and the wine aged on lees for a further three months, one-third in stainless steel and the rest in barrels. After gentle filtration the wine was bottled in November 2025.
When thinking about what I should call this addition to the Vino Intrepido range and the variety being referred to as grey, I started thinking about grey animals. The wolf was one of the first that came to mind – majestic yet dangerous – and the term ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ stood out for me, as this pinot grigio is probably not what you’d expect, packing more punch than you might be accustomed to.
Though there is no shortage of pinot grigio produced in Italy, there are a few regions where they take this grape seriously and make some incredible wines from it. My goal was to make something a bit more than your average pinot grigio white wine by sourcing from the ideal region in Victoria. The King Valley is the unofficial home of Pinot Grigio in Australia thanks in part to the region's warm days and cool nights, and also in part to the population of Italian migrants who settled there. In 2024 I was fortunate to be able to purchase grapes from the Cavedon Vineyard, one of the first in the region to plant the variety.
Fruit was harvested and immediately pressed before being transported as juice, two-thirds free run and one-third pressings. After settling 85 % of the juice was racked to a variety of barrels and 15% stainless steel for fermentation. Malolactic fermentation was halted once fermented, and the wine aged on lees for a further three months, one-third in stainless steel and the rest in barrels. After gentle filtration the wine was bottled in November 2025.
When thinking about what I should call this addition to the Vino Intrepido range and the variety being referred to as grey, I started thinking about grey animals. The wolf was one of the first that came to mind – majestic yet dangerous – and the term ‘wolf in sheep’s clothing’ stood out for me, as this pinot grigio is probably not what you’d expect, packing more punch than you might be accustomed to.
Jeni Port - Halliday Wine Companion
”A light copper-hued little beauty of a grigio bursting in fragrance and flavour. Apple, pear, quince, citrus and stony minerals bring plenty of tart, tangy flavour to the palate, with just a hint of pear drop and melon as it works its way across the tongue. Moves smoothly and at pace on clean acid drive, with gentle savoury grip.” 92 points
