South By South West Pinot Grigio 2026

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Very pale straw with a delicate copper hue reflecting the natural colour of Pinot Grigio skins.
• Aromatics: Nashi pear and green apple lead, followed by citrus peel and a restrained floral lift.
• Palate: Fresh pear and white peach flow through a crisp but gently rounded palate.
• Texture: The Pinot Bianco and barrel-fermented pressings provide extra shape and weight without making the wine feel heavy.
• Acidity: Clean and refreshing, supporting the orchard fruit and keeping the palate focused.
• Finish: Persistent and lightly saline, with lingering pear, peach and citrus.

The Pemberley Vineyard

The fruit was sourced from J Block at the Pemberley vineyard in Pemberton.

The Pinot Grigio consists of 11-year-old graftings established on the root systems and trunks of 18-year-old Sauvignon Blanc vines. Grafting allows an established vineyard to be converted to a new variety while retaining the older vine’s developed root system.

The block has east-to-west rows, a north-easterly aspect and karri loam soils typical of the Pemberton region.

Approximately 10% Pinot Bianco is intermingled with the Pinot Grigio vines. The two varieties were harvested together on 5 March and processed as a single parcel.

The 2026 Pemberton Vintage

The beginning of the 2026 harvest brought warm, dry conditions moderated by cool coastal breezes and evenings.

Cool mornings and mild daytime temperatures, generally between 15 and 25°C, then allowed the fruit to ripen gradually. The absence of major weather events gave the winemaking team time to make picking decisions according to flavour rather than approaching rain or excessive heat.

A particularly strong Marri blossom also reduced the usual pressure from birds, allowing the fruit to remain clean and undisturbed as it approached harvest.

The moderate conditions provided good hang time for the Pinot Grigio, encouraging the development of nashi pear, apple and white peach flavours while preserving its natural acidity.

Viticulture and Winemaking

The fruit was given approximately six hours of skin contact before pressing.

Pinot Grigio is a grape with naturally pink-grey skins. Brief skin contact helps capture additional aroma, texture and a delicate copper tint without turning the wine into a full skin-contact or orange style.

The free-run juice was transferred to stainless steel and fermented using a natural yeast culture. Stainless steel helps retain the freshness and purity of the orchard fruit.

The pressings were separately settled, lightly fined and transferred into barrel. This portion contributes additional texture and weight to the final blend.

Both components were matured for only three months before being combined, lightly fined, filtered and bottled early to preserve their aromatics and freshness.

Wine Details

• Producer: South by South West
• Vintage: 2026
• Varieties: Approximately 90% Pinot Grigio and 10% Pinot Bianco
• Region: Pemberton, Western Australia
• Vineyard: Pemberley vineyard, J Block
• Site: North-easterly aspect with east-to-west rows
• Soil: Karri loam
• Vine age: 11-year-old graftings on 18-year-old vine structures
• Harvest date: 5 March 2026
• Skin contact: Approximately six hours
• Fermentation: Stainless steel and barrel components
• Yeast: Natural yeast culture used for the free-run portion
• Maturation: Three months
• Alcohol: 12.0%
• Cellaring: Best enjoyed from 2026 to 2028
• Serving temperature: Approximately 8 to 10°C

What Does Pinot Bianco Bring to the Wine?

Pinot Bianco, also known as Pinot Blanc, is closely related to Pinot Grigio but tends to produce slightly rounder and more softly textured wines.

The approximately 10% Pinot Bianco in this vineyard was not added as a finished wine after fermentation. It grows among the Pinot Grigio vines and was picked and fermented with them.

Pinot Grigio provides the wine’s lively pear, apple and citrus characters, while Pinot Bianco contributes finesse, softness and extra shape through the middle of the palate.

The result is still recognisably crisp Pinot Grigio, but with more texture and personality than many simple commercial examples.

Storage and Serving Tips

Serve South by South West Pinot Grigio at approximately 8 to 10°C.

Avoid serving it icy cold, as very low temperatures can hide the pear, peach and citrus characters. If it has been stored in a very cold refrigerator, allow it to sit out for approximately five minutes before pouring.

No decanting is required. A normal white wine glass is preferable to a very small glass, as it gives the orchard fruit and subtle salinity more room to open.

The winery recommends enjoying it between 2026 and 2028 while its fruit and aromatics remain vibrant.

Food Pairing 

• Fresh seafood: Excellent with prawns, oysters, calamari or lightly grilled white fish.
• Chicken salad: Crisp acidity and pear fruit work beautifully with chicken, herbs and fresh greens.
• Antipasti: Try it with prosciutto, olives, marinated vegetables and mild cheese.
• Light pasta dishes: Particularly good with lemon, garlic, seafood or fresh herbs.
• Thai food: Its fresh fruit and moderate alcohol suit lightly spiced Thai salads and seafood dishes.
• Goat cheese: The acidity provides a refreshing contrast to soft, creamy cheese.
• Vegetable dishes: Pair with asparagus, zucchini, fennel or a summer vegetable tart.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris?

Pinot Grigio and Pinot Gris are the same grape variety.

The name Pinot Grigio is generally used for fresher, lighter and more citrus-driven wines inspired by Italy. Pinot Gris usually refers to a richer, rounder and more textural style.

This wine follows the brighter Pinot Grigio direction but has additional texture from Pinot Bianco, brief skin contact and a small barrel component.

Why does this wine contain Pinot Bianco?

Approximately 10% Pinot Bianco is interplanted among the Pinot Grigio vines in J Block.

The varieties are harvested and fermented together. Pinot Bianco adds roundness and finesse, while Pinot Grigio retains its fresh pear, apple and citrus character.

Can it still be labelled Pinot Grigio with Pinot Bianco included?

Yes. Pinot Grigio makes up approximately 90% of the wine and remains its clearly dominant variety.

The small amount of Pinot Bianco complements the wine without changing its fundamental Pinot Grigio character.

Why does Pinot Grigio sometimes have a copper colour?

Pinot Grigio grapes have naturally pink-grey skins rather than green skins.

Brief contact between the juice and skins can introduce a delicate copper or blush hue. This is completely natural and does not mean the wine is oxidised.

Is this an orange wine?

No. Although the fruit received approximately six hours of skin contact, this is still a fresh white wine.

An orange wine generally spends a much longer period fermenting or maturing with its skins, producing deeper colour and considerably more tannin.

Is the wine sweet?

No. This is a dry Pinot Grigio. Ripe pear and white peach create a generous fruit impression, but fresh acidity and subtle salinity keep the finish crisp.

Does it need to be decanted?

No. It can be served directly from the bottle.

A regular white wine glass will give its pear, apple and citrus aromas more room to emerge than a small or narrow glass.

How long can I cellar it?

The winery recommends drinking it from 2026 to 2028. It has been bottled early to capture freshness and is best enjoyed while its orchard fruit remains vibrant.

 
 
 
 
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