The new kid on the block, Quealy as been managing this site since 2021. Established by Kelly and John Ballis in 1995, the Halarah site has NW aspect and reaches up to 180m. With beautiful rich volcanic soils, the vineyard one the most exposed and southerly sites on the Mornington Peninsula. Due the cold Spring winds off the bay, yields are particularly low in cooler vintages; this is a site that excels in warmer years when is is always the last Pinot vineyard to be harvested.
The vineyard is planted to a mixture of clones, MV6, D2V5, D5V12 and G5V15 and all where used in the 2024.In the cellar, the grapes are fully destemmed and left on skins for a total of 28 days. The wine the ages for 12 months in French hogsheads, 25% new. Bottled without filtration, the 2024 has serious flavour: juicy red fruits with some black cherry depth, earth, spice and a tea leaf/floral lift. It’s supple and seductive, with svelte structure and fine, juicy finish.