The Real Review

Julian Grounds shares his pick for a Stonier Pinot Noir: the 2025 Merricks Pinot Noir, only the second vintage of the w**e. From the coastal Merricks subregion and its volcanic soils, the w**e offers a different expression of Mornington Peninsula pinot noir, combining immediate drinkability with the quality and character of the site.

Watch all the short episodes: https://www.therealreview.com/2026/10/01/the-real-review-on-the-road-mornington-peninsula/

At Stonier, Aaron Drummond talks about bringing the historic Mornington Peninsula producer back to its roots after a change in ownership. The focus has shifted to better farming, better w**emaking and a smaller scale of production, with all of Stonier’s fruit now estate-grown. The result is a more focused approach, including a Reserve Pinot Noir made exclusively from the Old Block.

Watch all the short episodes: https://www.therealreview.com/2026/10/01/the-real-review-on-the-road-mornington-peninsula/

With several pinot noirs in the range, Kate McIntyre MW explains the difference between Moorooduc Estate’s single vineyard w**es and its estate pinot noir. The single vineyard w**es offer a closer look at individual sites, while the 2023 Estate Pinot Noir brings together fruit from across their vineyards in the northern Mornington Peninsula to capture what Moorooduc Estate is all about.

Watch all the short episodes: https://www.therealreview.com/2026/10/01/the-real-review-on-the-road-mornington-peninsula/

At Moorooduc Estate, Kate McIntyre MW takes us up to the tower overlooking the vineyard and the newly replanted McIntyre Vineyard. After the old vines finally gave up producing fruit, the block was pulled out in 2020 and the soil was given time to recover. Now, new pinot noir vines are taking their place, with the potential to once again become the source of Moorooduc’s top pinot noir.

Watch all the short episodes: https://www.therealreview.com/2026/10/01/the-real-review-on-the-road-mornington-peninsula/

Back in July, we headed down to the Mornington Peninsula, with Yabby Lake as our first stop.

Tom Carson takes us through some of the region’s toughest vintages, from La Niña and tiny crops to the decision to declassify the entire 2020 vintage.

After a few difficult years, things were looking much brighter. And when we visited in July, the 2026 vintage was already showing plenty of promise.

Watch all the short episodes: https://www.therealreview.com/2026/10/01/the-real-review-on-the-road-mornington-peninsula/

An evening that takes you to Ch*****ne 🥂
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Join us at The Charles for a stunning lineup of Ch*****nes from a range of producers and styles, paired with a superb menu and hosted by Huon Hooke.⁠
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Tickets are selling fast! Book yours today and raise a glass with us: https://www.therealreview.com/events/the-ch*****ne-dinner-by-the-real-review-sydney-2026/
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