Elanto Vineyard, a 10.6 hectare high-density vineyard on the Mornington Peninsula, is the work of highly awarded winemaker Sandro Mosele and his dedicated team. The high-density vineyard, with its 11,000 vines/ha, is more than four times the vine density of conventional Australian vineyards. This reduces yield to 300–500 g per vine, bringing concentration and power to the wines. Deeply respectful farming practices are organic wherever possible, and soil cultivation encourages roots to search deep into the volcanic basalt soils, rich in iron, stone and buckshot. The south-easterly aspect and prevailing cool sea breeze preserve natural acidity and freshness in the wines.
This all adds up to a deeply considered approach that seeks to create site-specific wines that maximise site expression. The soils are deep red volcanic, transitioning to shallower and stonier on the mid-slope. The shallower soils produce lower yields and concentrated flavours, and the stone content influences the tannin profile. The five Pinot Noir vineyards (lieux-dit) — Vertex, Ironstone, Chicory, Kilnside and Basalt — totalling 6.7 hectares, sit higher on the slope where the basalt stone is greatest. Each vineyard is hand-picked and vinified separately.
“What started as a blank canvas in 2018 … has morphed into Australia’s most exciting, exacting vineyard and wine enterprise. Watch this space.” – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
“I’m not sure that I’ve ever seen anything quite like the new Elanto vineyard … it’s abundantly clear that something extraordinary is in the works here. This land … has now reached its ultimate destination: as one of the best vineyards in Australia.” – Campbell Mattinson, Australia’s Best Wineries, campbellmattinson.com
“This is my chance to put into practice all the best practices I’ve learnt and have seen in great vineyards around the world.” – Sandro Mosele
The 2024 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from Elanto Vineyard is the second vintage release
from one of Australia’s most fascinating viticultural projects. The second vintage for both
varieties has produced wines of great quality and good quantity, the uptick in yield a welcome
change from recent lean years in Mornington. The increase in production is not necessarily
region-wide but more of an instant insight into the benefits of high-density plantings.
The 2024 vintage was marked by decent weather, improved flowering from the previous year,
and bunches a touch fuller and larger. Harvest took place a little earlier than in 2023.
2024 Chardonnay
This wine is a blend of the three Chardonnay vineyards (lieux-dits): Verge, Buckshot and Seawinds. Each vineyard was picked and vinified separately. The fruit was hand-sorted and then whole-bunch pressed, with the juice run direct to a mix of new and older French oak barriques. Similar to the previous vintage, a natural fermentation completed over the coming months. More of the barrels underwent malolactic fermentation as Sandro sought the tactile notes of MLF and the savoury, reductive characters that malo lees can contribute. There is already a whisper of chalk and gunflint, which will undoubtedly intensify with bottle age. In total, the wine spent 10 months in barrel before being transferred to large concrete vats for a further 2 months, followed by further maturation in stainless steel before bottling. Diam 30 closure.
“A terrific follow-up to the inaugural release, coming out with more weight and body. Mid-straw gold and bright. Floral and waxy with lemon, spiced stone fruit, brown spices and honeycomb – lots within yet definitely in the savoury spectrum. Fuller-bodied, rich, almost al dente with its phenolics and layers of texture via creamy, nutty lees. It’s detailed yet supple, with a succulence thanks to the all-important uplifting acidity. Moreish and compelling. 96 points.”
– Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 2026
2024 Pinot Noir
This wine is a blend of the five Pinot Noir vineyards (lieux-dits): Vertex, Ironstone, Chicory, Kilnside and Basalt. Each vineyard was picked and vinified separately. The fruit was first chilled and then sorted and destemmed, with a smattering of perfectly ripe whole bunches making it into the ferment, which took place in concrete tanks. A cold soak in vat took place before natural fermentation, with extended time spent on skins before pressing. The high-density plantings have blessed the grapes with an abundance of skin tannin, which allowed for more restraint in the winery, with less time on skins required than in 2023.
A consequence of this reduced extraction is an aromatic cavalcade of perfumed red fruits and a supremely balanced wine that is framed by fine-boned, chalky tannin. Following fermentation, the wines were raised in a mix of new and older French oak barriques. Malolactic conversion completed late spring and the wine spent a total of 11 months in barrel before bottling. Diam 30 closure.
This gorgeous 2024 Pinot is another step towards Elanto’s greater goal – an Australian evocation of the structured, savoury expressions of classic Pinot Noir.
“What a beguiling wine – only the second release and showing complexity far beyond its years. It’s certainly youthful and pretty with heady aromas of florals and autumn leaves, with flavours of wild strawberries, dark cherries and pips, chinotto, Middle Eastern spices and some poached rhubarb too. The medium-bodied palate is evenly poised, laden with filigree tannins (lots of them) and energising acidity; oak (25% new) completely integrated. This has depth, some grip, a little amaro bitterness on the finish and, of utmost importance, it will age, but it’s oh-so pleasing to drink today. 97 points.”
– Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 2026
2023 Chardonnay
This wine is a blend of the 3 Chardonnay vineyards (lieux-dits); Verge, Buckshot and Seawinds.
Each vineyard was picked and vinified separately. The fruit was hand sorted and then whole bunch pressed with the juice run direct to a mix of new and older French oak barriques. A natural fermentation completed over the coming months. In total the wine spent 10 months in barrel before being transferred to large concrete vats for a further 2 months maturation before bottling. Diam 30 closure.
2023 Pinot Noir
This wine is a blend of the 5 Pinot Noir vineyards (lieux-dits); Vertex, Ironstone, Chicory, Kilnside and Basalt.
Each vineyard was picked and vinified separately. The fruit was first chilled and then sorted and destemmed into concrete vats with a small (3-5%) selection of whole bunches. A cold soak followed by natural fermentation completed in vat before pressing after 25-30 days on skins. The wines were raised in a mix of new and older French oak barriques. Malolactic conversion completed late spring and the wine spent a total of 11 months in barrel before bottling. Diam 30 closure.
2020 Domaine Thibert Mâcon-Prissé ‘en Chailloux’
“The slightly denser aromas transmit a vague hint of the exotic in the form of melon and pineapple hints on the mostly white-fleshed fruit aromas. There is excellent intensity and precision to the solidly concentrated middle-weight flavors that exude a refreshing salinity on the equally dry and sneaky long and overtly bitter, lemon-inflected finish. This too offers very good quality for its level. 88” — Burghound
“The 2020 Mâcon-Prissé En Chailloux unfurls in the glass with scents of pastry cream, crisp green apple, pear, white flowers and nutmeg. Medium-bodied, satiny and precise, with lively acids and a bright, fine-boned profile, it’s a compelling effort in this modest appellation. 90.” — William Kelley
2020 Domaine Tollot-Beaut Bourgogne Rouge
The Tollot family first planted vineyards in Chorey-lès-Beaune in the late 1880s, marking the founding of Domaine Tollot-Beaut. For over a century, the domaine has been operated from the same premises, and its legacy has been shaped by the continued union of the Tollot and Beaut families. This enduring partnership has enabled them to preserve valuable vineyard holdings, further enhancing the estate's reputation.
Today, the domaine is directed by cousins Nathalie, Jean-Paul, and Olivier, who have made notable strides in improving both viticulture and winemaking. Their investment in cutting-edge technology, including a state-of-the-art sorting table, has raised the quality of their wines to new heights. The domaine’s approach of low yields and minimal racking results in wines that are both consistently exceptional and full of character.
Domaine Tollot-Beaut is renowned for crafting exceptional wines from the Côte de Beaune that not only demonstrate remarkable quality but also offer outstanding value. The wines are beautifully expressive and embody both elegance and a true sense of terroir.
