2020 saw a year of bushfires devastating vineyards across the North East, including Beechworth's finest. Fighting Gully Road was no exception, so in an attempt to keep the vintage 'alive', fruit was sourced elsewhere. Pinot Noir from the Mornington - a wine likely never to be made again, but boy, is it glorious. A nose of chewy Pinot notes - sweet red cherries intermingling with herbs over a background of sandalwood spice. Wonderful!

The visionary vintner behind Fighting Gully Road, Mark Walpole, is quoted as saying that he has never been content with the status quo, and goes out of his way to do things differently. It shows. He’s widely regarded as one of Australia’s most talented viticulturalists, and his projects up on the Beechworth plateau reveal an extraordinary array of grape varieties - some of which are barely pronounceable, let alone recognisable. Ehrenfelser, Odola, Saperavi… all grapes grown at Fighting Gully Road, and used in Walpole’s remarkable blends which take the familiar and turn them on their head. Of all the varieties, Sangiovese has Mark's heart. However, the array of varieties planted that he works with, are tested, adapted, understood... and the only the finest varietal expressions are ever created. Beechworth is an exciting region, and FGR are leading the way forward.