A Journey Through Terroir and Taste
In the ever evolving landscape of Australian wine, Handpicked Wines stands out as a producer that marries ambition with authenticity. Rather than chasing trends or mass-market appeal, Handpicked has carved its identity through careful vineyard selection, meticulous winemaking, and a philosophy that celebrates the character of place. Its story is as much about people and passion as it is about grapes and barrels.
Origins:
Unlike many wine brands that start with a cellar door, Handpicked began with a quest for the right vineyards. Their approach was deliberate: rather than acquiring whatever fruit was available, they sought out parcels that reflected the subtle nuances of Australia’s diverse climates.
The journey began in the Mornington Peninsula, a cool-climate region known for its maritime influence, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay. Here Capella Vineyard a property whose slopes, soils, and exposure promised wines with both precision and personality. From this cornerstone, Handpicked expanded carefully, establishing connections with vineyards across the Yarra Valley, Tasmania, and the Barossa Valley. Each site contributes a unique voice to the Handpicked narrative, creating wines that are at once regionally distinct yet unmistakably part of a cohesive vision.
The Winemaker:
At the heart of Handpicked Wines is a winemaking philosophy that balances technical expertise with an intuitive touch. The team, led by chief winemaker Peter Dillon, prioritises expression over manipulation. Their goal is to highlight what the vineyard offers in any given year, rather than forcing a signature style. Techniques such as gentle whole bunch pressing for Chardonnay or selective use of French oak for Pinot Noir allow the wines to express texture, aroma, and regional character.
Dillon’s approach is patient. Fermentation and maturation schedules are dictated not by deadlines but by the wine itself. The result is a portfolio that ranges from approachable, food friendly wines to limited release single vineyard bottlings that reward cellaring. Each wine tells a story of sun, soil, and season rather than of the cellar.
Vineyards
Handpicked’s vineyards are carefully curated ecosystems. Capella, in the Mornington Peninsula remains the flagship, with its cool climate slopes producing vibrant, aromatic Pinots and Chardonnays. In the Yarra Valley, the team works with undulating hills and clay loam soils to cultivate wines with structure and elegance. Tasmania contributes a mineral driven dimension, with its high acid Chardonnays and restrained sparkling wines, while the Barossa Valley adds richness, depth, and boldness to the red range.
Sustainability is embedded in vineyard management. Minimal intervention, cover cropping, and soil health practices ensure that each plot remains productive without compromising environmental integrity. The ethos is clear: nurture the land, and it will return wines with soul.
The Wines
The Handpicked portfolio is a celebration of balance. Cool climate Pinots offer red fruited purity and subtle spice, while Chardonnays are layered, textural, and crystalline. Barossa Shiraz and Grenache demonstrate restrained power, with savory complexity rather than overt fruit bombast. The winery also explores experimental small batch projects, allowing the team to experiment with lesser known varietals and blending techniques.
A hallmark of the wines is their transparency they invite the drinker to identify place and vintage nuances. They are designed to pair seamlessly with food, yet capable of standing alone as contemplative sips.
Recognition
While Handpicked Wines avoids self aggrandisement, accolades have followed naturally. National wine guides and competitions have recognised both the quality and consistency of its releases, often highlighting the Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noirs and Tasmanian Chardonnays as exemplars of their regions. Critical acclaim is less about flashy scores and more about recognition of the producer’s commitment to site expression and sustainable practices.
Handpicked Wines represents a rare convergence of ambition, respect, and craftsmanship. Its strength lies in understanding that wine is a reflection of place and people. The team invests in vineyards, fosters relationships with growers, and lets nature dictate expression. In doing so, Handpicked demonstrates that Australian wine can be both approachable and intellectually rewarding — wines you enjoy immediately, but also want to explore season by season, vintage by vintage.
