William Downie Gippsland 2025
The Wine
A blend from two key sites: the red volcanic soils of Matthews Vineyard and the high-density plantings at Guendulain Farm. This year, Bill was selective to the extreme, dropping his Bull Swamp and Mornington releases altogether because they didn’t meet his standards. This wine shows a deeper, more concentrated character than previous vintages, led by rich black cherry notes and the trademark Downie savoury layers—cardamom, rose petals, and a touch of mineral brightness on the finish. It’s full and satisfying on the palate, with firm tannins that make it enjoyable now but suggest even greater rewards after a few years in the cellar.
94 Pts Miker Bennie, The Wine Front 'Sweeping, squeaky texture, darker fruit spectrum, seamless integration of white mushroom, undergrowth and brambly herbal inflection. Bold perfume, quite a bit of flavour too, fine, grainy tannin landing well. Licks of saline minerality, some salted liquorice characters lending x-factor and a dose of sour cherry through the finish. Quite strict in a way, needing some time to unfurl. Serious pinot.'
The Details
Variety - Pinot Noir
Country - Australia
Region - Victoria
Sub Region - Gippsland
Extra - Cork
Year - 2025
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
William Downie stands as a benchmark for minimal intervention, site-specific Pinot Noir in Australia. His focus has always been on the grape, evidenced by his time spent in Burgundy at Domaines Fourrier and Hubert Lignier, followed by roles at Bass Phillip in Gippsland and De Bortoli. In 2003, he launched his own label, producing Pinot from the Yarra Valley, Gippsland, and the Mornington Peninsula.
Currently, his attention is on the lesser-known Gippsland region, where he and his wife Rachel manage a farm and oversee additional vineyards in the area. His winemaking philosophy is one of low intervention. Unlike some Aussie winemakers, William is not dogmatic; he diligently monitors hygiene, temperature, and pH levels to ensure his wines are pristine, using sulphur as necessary. His goal is to represent his terroir faithfully. William believes, "The intrigue of Australian Pinot Noir lies in its ancient soils.
"The vines have a significant, age-old tale to convey—a story that's vast, subtle, and nuanced. Extracting this story requires a gentle and delicate touch."
