A NEW SEASON FOR AUSTRALIA’S MOST EXPRESSIVE WINES
As the season turns, Handpicked Wines’ latest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay releases reveal how subtle shifts in place shape what ends up in the glass.
3 min
The shift into autumn brings with it a quiet recalibration. Evenings lengthen, temperatures soften, and the wines we reach for begin to change.
Crisp aperitif styles give way to something more structured and contemplative. Chardonnay regains its depth, and Pinot Noir returns as the season’s defining red.
It is against this backdrop that Handpicked Wines has unveiled its latest premium collection, anchored in the 2024 vintage and spanning Tasmania, the Yarra Valley and the Mornington Peninsula.
While geographically diverse, the wines share a common philosophy: that place, rather than process, should define the final expression.
“Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are the bread and butter of Handpicked. They are our signature and what we do best,” said Chief Winemaker Peter Dillon.
“While we focus solely on our two hero varieties with this release, there is so much diversity to be found from the sites, with each one bringing a new quality and dimension to the variety.”
A tale of two vineyards
Nowhere is that diversity more evident than in the Yarra Valley, where two single vineyard Chardonnays offer a compelling study in contrast.
Separated by just a 45-minute drive, the Wombat Creek and Highbow Hill sites illustrate how dramatically elevation and soil can influence character.
Wombat Creek, perched at 420 metres above sea level in the Upper Yarra, produces a wine defined by finesse.
Volcanic soils and cooler temperatures deliver aromatic precision and a tight structural line. By contrast, Highbow Hill, located on the valley floor, offers a broader, more textural profile, shaped by slightly warmer conditions and different soil composition.
For Dillon, the comparison is central to understanding the essence of fine wine.
“Taking two wines from the same producer, region, and price point, made by the very same winemakers and viticulturists, has got to be the ultimate and most tangible way to explore terroir,” he said.
“It’s a joy for us as winemakers to create a totally new expression of the wine with the same grape; it really shows how the vineyard’s personality carries across into the bottle and onto the palate.
The rise of site-led winemaking
Across Australia’s leading wine regions, there has been a growing shift away from heavily manipulated styles towards wines that reflect their origin more transparently. Handpicked’s latest releases sit firmly within this movement, prioritising vineyard stewardship and minimal intervention.
Several of the wines now carry Certified Organic status, part of a broader transition that reflects a long-term commitment to soil health and environmental sustainability. The flagship Capella Pinot Noir, sourced from the Mornington Peninsula, represents the culmination of more than a decade of work refining both site and technique.
The result is a Pinot Noir defined less by overt power than by restraint and clarity, characteristics increasingly associated with Australia’s finest cool-climate sites.
A seasonal return
The timing of the release is not incidental. Autumn remains the natural home of both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, varieties that reward slower drinking and closer attention. Where summer wines are defined by immediacy, these are built for contemplation.
In this sense, the latest collection reflects more than a single vintage. It captures a broader evolution in Australian wine, one that places increasing emphasis on nuance, origin and longevity.
As the season settles and the pace of the year begins to shift, these are wines that invite pause. Not simply to drink, but to consider the journey from vineyard to glass, and the quiet influence of place that shapes every bottle.
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Held by the same family for 26 years, this Harbour Bridge-facing residence at Longueville is the type of property that rarely comes to market. Set on more than 1,100 sqm on one of Sydney’s most tightly held peninsulas, it combines complete privacy with uninterrupted views across the harbour to the city skyline.
It’s the sort of offering where the land is just as important as the home. Positioned directly opposite Aquatic Park with a prized northeast aspect, the residence captures sweeping harbour views from almost every main living space while remaining remarkably secluded from neighbouring properties.
Large picture windows frame the outlook throughout the home, flooding the interiors with natural light and making the harbour the centrepiece of everyday living.
Designed for family living
The home offers multiple living zones, including a formal lounge and dining rooms, a separate family room and an open-plan living and meals area. Blackbutt timber parquetry flooring, high ceilings and ducted reverse-cycle air conditioning feature throughout.
The kitchen sits at the heart of the home, with induction cooking, a generous island bench, and a walk-in pantry, connecting both the formal entertaining areas and the more casual family spaces.
A ground-floor master suite includes a walk-in robe, dressing area and ensuite, while upstairs are three additional bedrooms with built-in robes, together with a spacious home office or study.
The lower ground level adds another layer, with a temperature-controlled cellar and tasting room, plus a flexible gym, wellness or recreation space.
Resort-style setting overlooking Sydney Harbour
Outside, landscaped gardens wrap around a heated swimming pool, an expansive entertaining terrace, and a level lawn, creating a private resort-style setting against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour.
Additional features include a solar system with battery storage, remote lock-up garaging for three vehicles and generous storage throughout.
Beyond the home itself, the location remains one of Longueville’s biggest drawcards. Longueville Ferry Wharf sits around 150 metres away, providing direct access to the CBD while preserving the quiet character of one of Sydney’s most tightly held waterfront suburbs. The property is also within the catchments of Lane Cove Public School and Hunters Hill High School.
Simon Harrison and Kim Walters of Belle Property Lane Cove are marketing the property on a Contact Agent basis.
At a glance
Address: 3 Mary Street, Longueville NSW 2066
Configuration: 4 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | 3-car garage
Land: Approximately 1,100 sqm
Highlights: Harbour Bridge and city skyline views, northeast aspect, heated pool, cellar, solar with battery storage
Held: First time offered in 26 years
Price: Contact Agent
Agents: Simon Harrison and Kim Walters, Belle Property Lane Cove
This article is produced by the Kanebridge Media editorial team. Property information has been supplied by the listing agent. Buyers should conduct their own due diligence before relying on any information contained in this article. Enquiries: propertyconcierge@kanebridge.com.au.
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