This is the second release of the Feri Maris, Quealy’s top Pinot Grigio bottling. The grapes grow in a single block at the home vineyard in Balnarring. Established in 1982, it was one of the region’s first vineyards and is now certified organic and managed without irrigation. The Feri Maris block was picked by hand on the 23rd of February—three weeks earlier than the previous year, giving you some idea as to the early nature of the 2024 season. The fruit was pressed as whole bunches and settled overnight before being transferred with plenty of solids to stainless steel (70%) and hogsheads (30%, half of which were new) for fermentation. The wine remained on lees with no stirring until bottling at the end of August.
Tom McCarthy and the Quealy team have put in Herculean work in the vineyards over the last decade-plus, and with each passing season, it's crystal clear their efforts are now paying dividends. Partial barrel fermentation and maturation have become part of the winemaking process to help frame the intensity of flavour and texture delivered by the organically managed site. Dry-grown, old-vine potency and complexity shine bright in Feri Maris from 2024. The wine runs deep, rich and full, balanced by electric acidity and notes of bright orange, vibrant white florals, warming spice and mouthwatering salty tang on the fine laced, snappy finish.