Background

Located on one of Australia’s wine-rich regions, Mornington Peninsula, Ocean Eight is a family-owned wine estate. The Aylward family owns and controls this estate even today. All the wines created under the Ocean Eight brand are made from grapes grown on the 15 hectares of vineyards owned by the Aylward family. This family had a passion for winemaking and they previously owned a winery at Kooyong. Michael and Hollie Aylward learnt the tricks of the trade from there, and they proceeded to start their own brand in the form of Ocean Eight. Apart from learning the basics at their family’s winery, they also mastered the art of winemaking, thanks to their lessons learnt in one of the world’s premium wine regions of Burgundy in France.

Tasting notes

This modern Pinot Noir showcases elegant red fruit flavours, with vibrant red cherries and a subtle hint of tea leaf, all balanced by fine tannins and a touch of bitter cherry on the lively finish.

Winemaking

The grapes were hand-picked, meticulously hand sorted and destemmed. A cold soak took place for three to four days, prior to fermentation which took place in an open topped one tonne vats, using natural yeasts. Fermentation lasted for a period of four to six weeks, to maximise the aromatics. The wine was pressed to old, 500 litre oak puncheons of three to four years and matured in oak for 12 months. This wine was not filtered or fined prior to being bottled.

Food pairings

Pairs well with roast duck dishes, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, or a charcuterie board.