Home Hill Estate Pinot Noir 2023

Home Hill began in 1994 with just 0.5 hectares of Pinot Noir planted by Terry and Rosemary Bennett on Terry’s family property just outside Ranelagh in the Huon Valley, south-west of Hobart. Between 1994 and 1999, they established a further 5 hectares of vines with Pinot Noir remaining the focus variety. Located near the 43rd degree latitude, the climate is right on the southern margins of vine growing. 

Moderate summer temperatures are supplemented with very high sunshine hours allowing the vines to slowly ripen small crops of well-exposed fruit achieving full ripeness while maintaining natural acidity and freshness. The fertile grey loam over clay soil makes trellising and vineyard work crucial to manage vigour. The Pinot Noir plantings are dominated by two Davis clones – 2051 (aka D5V12) and 8104 (aka D2V6). The 2051 provides the body, depth of flavour, power and tannin structure while 8104 adds prettiness, lift and a distinct pepper note. 

Small plantings of the modern Burgundy clones 114 and 115 are showing promise too albeit in a much more feminine style than is currently produced. The style of Pinot Noir here is rich and opulent and at first reminds of Central Otago but with more savoury complexity and less sweet fruit; a style that will please a wide range of Pinot Noir drinkers. Sustained success in the local shows has encouraged the Bennetts to invest heavily in producing the best fruit possible from their site with no expense spared in the vineyard. The plantings have been expanded more recently.