Handpicked Wines: Trophy-Winning Chardonnay & Pinot Noir with Chief Winemaker, Peter Dillon
Handpicked Wines: Serial Trophy-Winning Chardonnay & Pinot Noir and their New Releases
Join Chief Winemaker & Director of Viticulture, Pete Dillon for 13 wines reading region & site across the Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley & Tasmania
Including the Collection Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2022
Best Yarra Valley Chardonnay - Top Gold 96 Points
2024 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge
(one of three regional trophies won concurrently…a first in the competition’s history)
…and the ‘Wombat Creek’ Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2022
François De Castella Trophy - Best Young White
Best Chardonnay & Best Victorian Chardonnay, 2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards
A flight of regional Pinot Noir Tasmania, Mornington Peninsula & Yarra Valley
…alongside the single-vineyard ‘Auburn Road’, ‘Capella Vineyard’ & ‘Highbow Hill’ Pinots
Plus a mature Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and a Barossa Valley Shiraz in Jeroboam
Wednesday, July 15th
Hosted by Peter Dillon, Chief Winemaker & Director of Viticulture, Handpicked Wines
Masterclass: 4–6pm, 13 wines & canapés, $95
Dinner: 6.30–9.30pm, 13 wines & 4 courses, $195
About Handpicked Wines
Handpicked Wines is an independent, family-owned Australian producer founded around the turn of the millennium, built on a single idea: that the finest wines express a true sense of place. Over more than two decades the company has invested in vineyards across several of Australia’s leading cool-climate regions, with a flagship vineyard and winery at Capella on the Mornington Peninsula and further sites in the Yarra Valley, Barossa Valley and Tasmania.
The Yarra Valley holdings include Wombat Creek in the Upper Yarra, at 424 metres, the highest-altitude vineyard in the valley, which Handpicked has farmed since 2016 with a focus on organic and regenerative viticulture. Across the regions, the house style favours site-specific, regionally expressive Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, made with minimal intervention to let soil and season speak.
Founder and CEO William Dong leads the business, and in October 2023 Handpicked acquired the celebrated Tasmanian sparkling house House of Arras from Accolade Wines.
Recent Acclaim
“Winning one is a privilege, but to win three trophies concurrently with our Collection range is absolutely stellar for us.”
Peter Dillon, Chief Winemaker
Collection Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2022
Trophy Winner – “Yarra Valley Best Chardonnay”, James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge 2024
Top Gold & 96 points - James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge 2024
Single Vineyard Highbow Hill Chardonnay 2021
Gold & 95 points - James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge 2022
Collection Tasmania Chardonnay 2022
Trophy Winner – “Best Chardonnay”, Tasmanian Wine Show 2024
Trophy Winner – “Tasmania Best Chardonnay”, James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge 2024
Top Gold & 96 points - James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge 2024
Single Vineyard Wombat Creek Chardonnay 2022
Trophy Winner – “Best Victorian Chardonnay”, Melbourne Royal Wine Awards 2023
Trophy Winner – “Best Chardonnay”, Melbourne Royal Wine Awards 2023
Trophy Winner – “Best Young White Wine”, Melbourne Royal Wine Awards 2023
Gold & 95 points - James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge 2024
Gold - Melbourne Royal Wine Awards 2023
Collection Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay 2022
Trophy Winner – “Mornington Peninsula Best Chardonnay”, James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge 2024
Top Gold & 95 points - James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge
2024 Gold - Melbourne Royal Wine Awards 2023
Single Vineyard Capella Chardonnay 2021
Gold - Royal Queensland Wine Awards 2023
Gold - Royal Melbourne Wine Awards 2022
Collection Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2022
Gold - Royal Queensland Wine Awards 2023
Gold - Melbourne Royal Wine Awards 2023
Collection Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir 2021
Trophy Winner - “Best Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir”, Australian Pinot Noir Challenge 2022
Gold - Australian Pinot Noir Challenge 2022
Gold - Royal Queensland Wine Awards 2023
Collection Tasmania Pinot Noir 2021
Gold - Royal Queensland Wine Awards 2023
Single vineyard Capella Pinot Noir 2021
Trophy Winner - “Best Pinot Noir”, Mornington Peninsula Wine Show 2022
Gold - Royal Melbourne Wine Awards 2022
Gold - Sydney Royal Wine Show 2022
Sourced from the official results of the James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge, the Tasmanian Wine Show, the Melbourne Royal Wine Awards, the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge, the Mornington Peninsula Wine Show, the Royal Queensland Wine Awards and the Royal Sydney Wine Show, together with Handpicked Wines and the Handpicked Wines media release.
Meet the Host… Peter Dillon
Peter Dillon is Chief Winemaker and Director of Viticulture at Handpicked Wines, having joined the company in 2014 and stepped up to Chief Winemaker in 2018. His familiarity with site-specific wines, combined with the cool-climate pedigree of the flagship Capella vineyard, has shaped a portfolio built to offer a true sense of place.
Wearing a second hat as Director of Viticulture, Dillon has overseen the expansion of Handpicked’s vineyard holdings into the Yarra Valley, Tasmania and the Barossa, and travels extensively to ensure quality across these regions and the network of growers who have become part of the Handpicked family. Under his hand the company has enjoyed a remarkable run of show success, including the unprecedented triple Chardonnay trophy at the 2024 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge and the François De Castella Trophy at the 2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards.
The Wines
On Arrival
2024 Mingary Road Mornington Pinot Gris [New Release]
At first, this seems reticent, with light aromas of lemon blossom and ginger flower, but it does open in the glass. The palate is refreshing – you could say lively – with some zippy acidity melding into delicate flavours of fresh pears and dried ones, nashi also, pastry, lemon oil and oak spices, plus an intriguing, almost zinc-like character. It finishes short, but it’s a delightful drink.
94 Points - Jane Faulkner [1 June 2026]
1st Bracket
2023 Handpicked Mornington Chardonnay [New Release]
As with its Tassie sibling, this is on a tight leash of energising acidity. Loaded with citrus – lemon, grapefruit and limes – with an intriguing lemon oil character, perhaps oak derived. Lightly spiced with ginger, a slip of texture with fine lees, a hint of lemon curd and cedary oak. Almost a latent power here.
93 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (Jul 2025)
92 Points, Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review (Dec 2025)
90 Points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate (Dec 2025)
2022 Handpicked Yarra Valley Chardonnay
Trophy Winner – “Best Yarra Valley Chardonnay”, 2024 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge
Top Gold & 96 Points, 2024 James Halliday Australian Chardonnay Challenge
Highly appealing and in a perfect drinking zone with its subtle lemon blossom and ginger aromas, a little flinty, too. The palate is still tightly reined in by the refreshing acidity, yet plenty of white peach, lemon/grapefruit and spicy oak flavour, with a slip of creaminess/nuttiness from lees adding texture. It remains a little savoury and very refreshing.
93 Points - Jane Faulkner [10 February 2026]
2023 Handpicked Capella Vineyard Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula [New Release]
Intensely aromatic, the palate opens with layers of citrus and white stone fruits, some gun flint with a delicate mineral edge.
Winemaker Notes
2022 Handpicked Wombat Creek Chardonnay, Yarra Valley
Trophy Winner – François De Castella Trophy for “Best Young White”, 2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards
Trophy Winner – “Best Chardonnay” & “Best Victorian Chardonnay”, 2023 Melbourne Royal Wine Awards
Gold - Melbourne Royal Wine Awards 2023
A silvery nose of delicate citrus notes crushed white blossom and chalky minerality kick off a delightful expression of Chardonnay in the glass. It etches things up a notch. Integration of fruit, acidity and tannins is almost seamless, and a long finish in the savoury vein. Miso butter, lemon leaf, dried herbs, freshly baked sourdough, crushed seashell and super fine yet plentiful phenolics. Site shines brightly, and those who enjoy their Chardonnay shaped by fine phenolics, layered texture and with a saline and savoury character will adore this.
96 Points, Cassandra Charlick, Wine Pilot (Aug 2025)
96 Points, JamesSuckling.com (Mar 2025)
Peter Dillon is rather chuffed about this wine as it took out a slew of trophies at the 2023 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards, including best chardonnay and best young white. This is refined and so youthful. …All the flavours come together brilliantly and glide across the palate. The acidity is soft yet tangy; there’s a succulence, a juiciness, so this ends up energising.
96 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (Aug 2024)
94 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review (Apr 2025)
93 Points, Angus Hughson, Vinous.com (Jun 2025)
2nd Bracket
2023 Handpicked Tasmanian Pinot Noir [New Release]
High-toned, perfumed aromas of cherries, pomegranate, cranberries, sweet spices, rose petals and pencil shavings. The midweight palate has crunchy tannins and bright acidity with great tension and drive. This sits on the edge of reduction with a savory, mineral finish. Delicious. Drink or hold. Screw cap.
94 Points, JamesSuckling.com (Jul 2025)
94 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (Jul 2025)
93 Points, Tom Kline, Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (Apr 2025)
92 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review (Aug 2025)
92 Points, Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront (Sep 2025)
2023 Handpicked Mornington Pinot Noir [New Release]
While ’23 was by no means the peninsula’s finest vintage, especially for reds, this and the Capella Vineyard Pinot have fared so much better than their Yarra Valley siblings. Curious. Point being there’s fruit and detail within – a balance, too. Wafts of roses and autumn leaves, dark cherries, pips and Middle Eastern spices with cedary oak. The textural tannins have some grip and the juicy acidity keeps everything in check and buoyant.
95 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (Jul 2025)
93 Points, JamesSuckling.com (Aug 2025)
93 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review (Aug 2025)
2023 Handpicked Yarra Valley Pinot Noir [New Release]
Floral and perfumed aromas of cherries, rose petals, blood oranges, citrus peel and spices. The palate is mid-weighted, with crunchy tannins and bright acidity leading into a vibrant, spicy and firmly structured finish. Very well made, with the cool 2023 vintage adding tension.
94 Points, JamesSuckling.com (Jul 2025)
92 Points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate (Dec 2025)
92 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review (Aug 2025)
3rd Bracket
2022 Handpicked Auburn Road Pinot Noir, Tasmania
A single vineyard on the west side of the Tamar River. North facing slope and organic certified as of 2022. Rhubarb stem, Bing cherries and sandalwood. A potpourri of fragrant rosella, tulip and wild rose. Cocoa nib, aduzki bean and maple leaf are followed by sweet baking spices. It’s heady but delicate, red fruited but quite floral. Sweet oak suits the gravity of fruit here, and time will only continue to agree with this wine. There is richness to the palate with cherry bitters and clove spice surging through. A long flavour palate with resonating baking spices. This will cellar well for 3-5 years. A wonderful wine to serve with rich fatty pork dishes, the more unctuous the better.
95 Points, Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot (Jun 2024)
95 Points, Kasia Sobiesiak, The Winefront (Jan 2025)
94 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (Jun 2024)
93 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review (Jan 2024)
2023 Handpicked Capella Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mornington Peninsula
This has come together well from the fruit profile, all bright cherries, through to its structure, fuller bodied and complete. It’s also awash with spices, licorice, dried mint and sumac. Quite moreish and savoury, the oak integrated and with textural tannins that complement the juicy acidity.
95 Points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion (Jul 2025)
95 Points, Shanteh Wale, Wine Pilot (Oct 2025)
94 Points, JamesSuckling.com (Aug 2025)
…Beautifully expressive, elegant wine.
94 Points, Kasia Sobiesiak, The Winefront (Sep 2025)
92 Points, Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate (Dec 2025)
92 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review (Aug 2025)
2024 Handpicked Highbow Hill Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley
4th Bracket
2018 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Captures the essence of Margaret River in a very good year. Engaging aromas of blackcurrant with a layer of dark chocolate and a subtle graphite minerality and dried herbs. A seamlessly structured palate with fine grainy tannins providing structure. There is power here as it drives through to a very long finish.
93 Points - Ray Jordan, RayJordanWine.com
2017 Handpicked Collection Barossa Valley Shiraz Jeroboam
The price tag announces a serious tilt at Barossa shiraz. Expectations rise and are met. Rather than predictable blockbuster material, the accent is on a more persuasive and gentle power employing heady, perfumed fruit of violets, blackberry, dark plum, spice. The palate is neat and trim, smooth, too, with elegant tannins.
94 Points, Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion (Jul 2021)
Beautifully ripe and fragrant with blackberry, sweet cherry, vanilla, mixed spice and roasted nut characters, it's supple and juicy in the mouth delivering fleshy texture and silky flow. Flavoursome and delightfully appealing. At its best: now to 2028.
Wine Orbit
