Tasting Notes
With the warming climate, certain parcels of Pinot Noir at the Doeven site can be earmarked for still wine―as a point of interest, the fruit for Lethbridge’s premium Nadeson Collis sparkling programme is also sourced from this site. The clone is of Swiss origin (Mariafield), with an open bunch structure so it can ripen well in cooler climates. Ray says it’s structurally softer than MV6 and tends to be more high-toned and perfumed. The fruit is picked by hand and ferments in open-top vessels with a small portion of bunches. After a long, cool ferment (20 days) with only gentle cap work, the wine is pressed to barrel (20% new) for 11 months’ maturation.
Ray captures the essence of this wine perfectly: “The Geelong Pinots are all about slapping the base, whereas this Henty wine is more like the snap of the snare drum.” It’s full of perfume, summer berries, brown spice and earth notes, with fleshy weight and a savoury finish—cool-climate Pinot Noir in fine form. - Distributor Note
Lethbridge Wines was founded in 1996 by scientists Ray Nadeson, Maree Collis, and Adrian Thomas, who applied a rigorous, research-driven approach to identify a vineyard site ideal for cool-climate varieties. Located in the Moorabool Valley near Geelong, the flagship site was originally planted in the 1870s by Swiss immigrants and was replanted by Ray and Maree in 1996 using sustainable, organic- and biodynamic-informed methods.
The estate is known for its expressive, terroir-driven wines—particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir—along with creative explorations in varieties like Shiraz, Nebbiolo, Gamay, and Italian styles through labels like Between Five Bells, Il Modo, and the Nadeson Collis range. The wines are made in small batches using minimal intervention: hand-harvest, native fermentations, gentle extraction, and careful élevage, often in straw-bale cellars that echo European cave environments while underscoring their commitment to environmental stewardship.
Lethbridge’s wines are characterised by savory structure, cool-climate precision, and an experimental spirit anchored by serious site expression. The estate continues to be a leading voice in Geelong, consistently producing wines that balance depth, finesse, and individuality.
| Product Type | Wine Red Pinot Noir |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Country | Australia |
| Region | Victoria |
| Sub Region | Henty |
| Winemaking Practices | Minimal Intervention |
| Vineyard Practices | Organic/Biodynamic |