Tasmanian Pinot Noir named best in Australia

A TASMANIAN winery has claimed top honours at Australia’s premier Pinot Noir competition, the 2024 Pinot Noir Challenge.

Bremley Vineyard won the award, marking the fifth consecutive year a Tasmanian winery has taken the top spot. 

The award was announced at a gala dinner held in Melbourne. 

Led by winemaker and Pinot Noir enthusiast Tom Carson, an elite judging panel deliberated over more than 300 entries. After selecting a regional winner, choosing the ultimate prize was a difficult decision. 

“While the 2023 Bremley Pinot Noir from the Coal River came out on top, it was a tight competition for first place, with the Yarra Valley’s 2023 Giant Steps Sexton Vineyard Pinot Noir an extremely close second, requiring lengthy deliberations from the judges to finalise the winner,” Mr Carson said. 

He said the 2023 Bremley Coal River Pinot Noir was a beautifully crafted wine, combining power and elegance with the silkiest of tannins and a refined lingering finish. “In fact, the Coal River region dominated the state of Tasmania and the awards in general,” he said. 

“The region is flexing its Pinot Noir muscle in wine shows and as the vines age and viticulturists and winemakers continue to hone their craft there’s no sign of this momentum slowing.” Bremley is the northernmost vineyard in the Coal River Valley region, which is part of what makes it unique. 

It is owned by James Bresnehan and his partner Vanessa. 

“We are right at the top of the Coal Valley,” Mr Bresnehan said. 

“The vineyard is situated on an elevated site in a natural amphitheater, protecting the vines from the hot northwesterly winds of summer. This, along with the black cracking clay intertwined with dolerite rock, is what makes it so unique.” 

When the Bresnehans bought the property in 2008, it had just 2ha of Chardonnay. They have now expanded plantings to include Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Gamay. 

“We were blown away to get the call for this award,” Mr Bresnehan said. 

“Since 2008, we’ve been developing the vineyard with a hands-on and sustainable approach. We’ve predominantly sold fruit to other producers. 

"We knew the fruit was exceptional, and the desire to create iconic single-vineyard wines grew stronger. 

“That opportunity finally came in 2021 when we teamed up with acclaimed winemakers Justin Bubb and Anna Pooley,” Mr Bresnehan said.