Founded in 1994 by Gary and Robyn Farr, By Farr is a family-owned winery located in the Moorabool Valley, nestled between Geelong and Ballarat, approximately 100 km southwest of Melbourne. The estate spans 36 acres under vine, with the rest dedicated to grazing and cropping—maintaining both viticultural focus and the rural landscape. 
The vineyards sit on a cool continental climate, tempered by winds from the western plains and sea breezes, which help preserve natural acidity and promote low yields of intensely flavored fruit. Soils in the Moorabool Valley are ancient and complex—ranging from red and black volcanic loam to limestone, quartz gravel, ironstone, sandstone, and even volcanic lava rock. This diverse soil profile contributes depth, minerality, and structural tension to the wines. 
By Farr focuses on Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Gamay, and Viognier, each crafted with minimal intervention. The team employs organic-inspired farming, native yeast fermentation, whole-bunch pressing, and indigenous yeasts to bring out varietal purity and site expression. Fermentations and extended ageing in French oak capture the vineyard’s essence with finesse and balance.

Vintage 2024 Harvest Notes from Nick

The feeling of the season leading up to the 2024 vintage, was one of hope. The property was poised for a healthy and vigorous growing season, yet rainfall is required for this to be achieved ! Some winter rains certainly helped but overall the Spring rains didn’t really eventuate as it had during the previous four years seasons. The resilience of the vineyards was evident though, with average cropping levels seemingly achievable with the assistance of some timely showers and irrigation to maintain the canopy through some warmer weather during February. The season was certainly mild throughout but the warmer weather was only towards our first picking date of 27th Feb. We tested the waters and decided after two days of picking that the fruit was capable of achieving greater flavour. We resumed picking on the 4th March and never looked back. The Irrewarra vineyard was started on the 19th March followed wonderfully by the Gamayand Shiraz. As we felt another vintage was coming to a close quite swiftly the Nebbiolo once again didn’t play ball. By mid April it was time to finish, so the Nebbiolo was picked and stalling at 12 Beaume. It was destined for Rose for another year. The whites fermented extremely slowly but perhaps that has been an important factor in the tension that the wines have maintained, considering the warm finish to the season. Classic “Farr” – Calm power. As for the reds, they certainly remind me of the 2016 vintage. Wines that where capable of being pushed a little harder than the previous 4 vintages. The end result yet still in barrel, have great concentration, character and poise, yet it is the smallest vintage since 2002.''

Vintage 2023 Harvest Notes from Nick

'‘After three years of solid rain the team had hoped for some different growing conditions. Unfortunately not! A cool and wet Spring in 2022 meant that there was severe disease pressure and constant canopy management required up until Christmas. Because of the two previous growing seasons the team was well aware of what was required and did an amazing job once again. Crop levels certainly seemed below average because of the cool and windy conditions, particularly in the chardonnay sites. With frequent rain events throughout January and early February the ripening period was making little progress until we finally saw days turn into weeks of dryer and warmer weather. The welcome relief started to show us signs of delicate, super fine flavours, driven by high acidities. On 16th March, our first day of picking, we decided to hedge our bets and pick a little Chardonnay from the Cooper block and a couple of ton of Pinot from the Windmill block. With acidity still quite high and looking for balance of flavours we decided to not pick again until the 20th March. We harvested our last fruit in Bannockburn on the 6th April, and Irrewarra fruit on the 14th April.''