Bannockburn 'Serre' Pinot Noir 2024

Marked by rich dark fruits, enticing savory spice, and herbal complexity, it’s a layered and intense release brimming with Serré’s distinctive character and precision. That’s the charm of Serre: a wine of striking contrasts. With the depth and lusciousness of this vintage, the 2024 clings to the palate like Velcro. Designed for an exceptional life in the cellar, this release is destined to be one of the finest in Serre's vibrant thirty-year history. A remarkable Geelong Pinot with both presence and power.

Serre 24 : So distinctively ‘Bannockburn V’ - and totally different than the wines of neighbouring ‘By Farr’ (primary fruit focus, power and thrust) - the ‘Serre’ exudes seductive autumnal spices. On the palate, filigree, detailed and elegant structure is immediately captivating - serious but playful - forest floor notes are joined by an array of red /black fruits sprinkled with exotic spice. Drinking this reminds me of walking the bush tracks of Cooper Park just after a downpour. Pure and honest, I absolutely love this wine. TC

 

Pic 3: Inspecting the 'Serre' Vineyard with Gus Pollard, May 23

Pic 4: Serre 2001, an Oz vinous treasure (Bannockburn Masterclass, Quay 19/08/25) 

Since its establishment by the late Stuart Hooper in 1974, Bannockburn Vineyards has been at the vanguard of the Australian fine wine story, producing vineyard designated wines of the highest quality from the start. 

Stuart’s vinous passion was developed in WW2 Europe where he developed a fondness for the wines of Burgundy. Subsequently, on his return to Geelong and retirement, he developed Bannockburn Vineyards from scratch. Gary Farr (By Farr) became their first winemaker (1978 to 2004), and Bannockburn’s success is a large attributed to his visionary efforts.

Lying 25kms northwest of Geelong along the Midland Highway, the estate is located in the Moorabool Valley sub-region, just outside the township of Bannockburn. Here, Bannockburn’s predominantly mature vines are rooted in one of Victoria’s most unique low-fertility terroirs; volcanic surface debris and ancient sea beds running to richer and darker soils, layered over predominantly limestone bedrock.

Under Holmes’ (current Winemaker) direction there’s been a stylistic tilt in the winery, and with his Chardonnay, he’s steering a racier, more mouth-watering course—with less emphasis on lees and oak and more on vibrant acidity and freshness. Yet it is perhaps the style and quality of Bannockburn’s Pinot Noir in which the changes can be most keenly observed. An earlier-bottling regime and more reticent use of whole bunches are resulting in a purity of expression perhaps never seen under this label.  

In the vineyards, Holmes works with Lucas Grigsby, Bannockburn’s viticulturist for over 30 years. Grigsby takes great pride in tending to the vineyards with a strong belief in organic farming practices to maintain the health of the soils and Bannockburn’s vines. Between them, the pair’s viticultural principles are based on a healthy respect for the land and responsible farming, e.g., the use of organic composting and straw mulching to eliminate the need for herbicide sprays and the cultivation of inter-row cover crops to add soil nutrients.

These principles flow through into the winery where Holmes employs minimal additions, wild yeast ferments and low intervention winemaking resulting in wines that are made with integrity and that are distinctively Bannockburn.