One of Australia’s esteemed wineries, Yarra Yering was founded by the visionary Dr. Bailey Carrodus, who passed away in 2008. In 1973, he created the first commercial vintage from the Yarra Valley since 1922, marking a significant moment in the region’s viniculture.
On a beautiful early summer day, I had the pleasure of visiting Yarra Yering with winemaker Sarah Crowe. We toured the vineyard and winery, admiring the notable tea chest fermenters that Carrodus devised, which are still utilized for red wines today. During fermentation, the grapes undergo hand-plunging twice daily, a testament to the labor-intensive traditional methods.
The grapes are meticulously hand-picked and placed in plastic Naly bins for cooling. After destemming, they are transferred to the tea chest fermenters without any pumping or refrigeration in the process. This vintage approach reflects Dr. Carrodus’ philosophy, which aimed for a pure expression of the fruit.
Historically, Jim Halliday noted that while the dry-grown vines often appeared in poor condition by harvest, the resulting wines were exceptional, although there were occasionally issues with volatile acidity in the early years. Carrodus operated on a small scale, processing just half a ton of grapes at a time, and many of his early wines were renowned for their quirks and, at times, were likened to vinegar due to his experimental techniques.
The winery currently produces a variety of exceptional wines, including Claret-style No 1, Rhône-style No 2, Shiraz Underhill, and a small quantity of Pinot Noir and Viognier. Since its inception, the vineyard has expanded from 30 acres to 90 while maintaining its dry-grown farming practices.
Yarra Yering was acquired by Kaesler Wines in 2009, but the winery’s integrity remains intact, preserving Carrodus’s legacy. It is situated in one of the warmer sectors of the Yarra Valley, which allows for a higher yield of Cabernet Sauvignon. Sarah Crowe, who began her tenure in 2013, emphasizes freshness in the wines to enhance their energy and vibrancy.
With Crowe at the helm, the winery aims to respect the brand’s heritage while continuing to produce quality wine. The current operation is co-owned by Kaesler and Richard Magides, who both share an appreciation for Yarra Yering’s distinctive character and wines.
Yarra Yering Wines
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Yarra Yering Chardonnay 2022: Fresh, fine, and textured with notes of ripe pear, lemon, and pineapple. This wine is praised for its concentration and a slightly salty finish (94/100).
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Yarra Yering Chardonnay 2019: Lean and taut, showing lovely weight and refined lemony accents (95/100).
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Yarra Yering Pinot Noir 2022: Floral notes with sweet strawberry and cherry fruits creating a lovely balance and texture (93/100).
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Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No 3 2022: A blend featuring Touriga Nacional and other varietals, it showcases vivid fruit purity and a dynamic finish (95/100).
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Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No 2 2022: An intricate blend of Shiraz and other varietals, noted for its fine structure, freshness, and power (95/100).
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Yarra Yering Agincourt Cabernet Malbec 2022: Characterized by vivid blackcurrant with an underlying sweetness and potential for aging (95/100).
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Yarra Yering Dry Red Wine No 1 2022: A tightly wound Cabernet blend that promises great potential with its concentrated fruit and silky texture (96/100).
For more information, visit Yarra Yering’s official site.