Awards and Accolades

94 Points - Campbell Mattinson, Wine Front
"There’s almost a plush generosity here, but it’s more characterised by its free-flowing air. It writes its flavours in cursive script, everything joined and running into the next thing, a feeling of movement and speed. Kerouac-ian in that sense. A summer held onto and then released in a burst. Forest berries, dry leaves, a chalkiness, a hint of chicory and woodsmoke. It feels like a wholemeal wine, the flavours transparent, nothing deleted."

2013 Vintage: 96 Points - Tyson Stelzer
As always, the Yarra presents the most graceful persona of the Downie set, and its allure in 2013 makes it my pick of the trilogy. This is a pinot noir that elegantly harmonises pretty rose petal lift, red cherry, wild strawberry and red berry fruits with seamless texture and finely structured mouth feel, articulating the mineral character of its site with great clarity. A rose bud lift and savoury beetroot complexity heighten its beautifully fine and textural feel of mouthfilling, mineral tannin structure. Crafted, elegant, eminently mineral and enticing, don’t miss this release.

The Winery

William Downie established his own label in 2003 after several years living and working in Burgundy. His intention is to produce wines of purity and detail that reflect their place of origin. They are made in the most natural way possible, not pushed or shoved in any direction. They are not added to or subtracted from. Although each of the William Downie wines is made from Pinot Noir, the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and Gippsland are more different than they are similar. William was the Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine Young Australian Winemaker of The Year for 2006.