Capanno is located in the Southern Highlands, between Sydney and Canberra. The 3 acre vineyard is situated 1000M above sea level. The ripening days here are hot but the nights are cool. The location combined with the dedication and care that has been put into the small vineyard has allowed them to achieve their dream of producing a wine they could be personally proud of.

Notes below for 2009 vintage:
The 2008 was a bit of an eye-opener for me; "here is something that one doesn't see everyday, a Gris with a bucket load of interest and charm. It seems every time I am faced with an Australian Gris, I am reminded of Hallidays 'like painting with white paint on white canvas' comments. This wine dispels that myth. It shows pear, nectarine and turkish delight characters on the nose and in the mouth raises the bar again with wonderful creamy mouthfeel finishing with a steely minerality. There is a bit going on here. An excellent wine and a very pleasant surprise - this could be a Gris that turns the unconverted"

Then along came the 2009 that adds a brilliant textural dimension to the whole experience. Initially, a 'prettier' wine to the 2008 courtesy of some lifted, perfumed aromatics of pear and rose water. In the mouth is where it really happens with complexity that whilst not unprecedented for Australian Gris, is certainly rare. A combination of creamy influences with crisp acidity and lingering acid on a persistent finish does the trick once again. An excellent wine with, dare I say it again, a heap of interest. Made by rock star winemaker Nick Spencer. Now – 2015; Quality: Excellent BW; WineStar© January 2011

Distinct bronze tint to the colour; barrel fermentation (old oak) has been skilfully used to build both flavour and texture, with spice, bruised apple and nashi pear; good balance and length. Drink: to  2013; Price: $25.00; Rating: 93 Points; James Halliday Wine Companion 2012

This has a full, ripe Pinot Gris spiciness in the nose, with a lovely lemon lift. It is medium weight, but with a full, stony impact on the palate, where it is long and satisfying with good acid structure. Very solidly built, with nice balance and a nimble, refreshing finish. No malolactic fermentation is allowed, so the wine retains a bright, crisp citrus acidity.

Pinot Gris has a very long tradition in the Pfalz region. In fact, it was here that the variety was first identified. Villa Wolf Pinot Gris is made in a full-bodied, dry style with refreshing, unoaked fruit and a crackling texture.

Ernst Loosen’s goal at J.L. Wolf is to make powerful, traditionally crafted Pfalz wines to complement his lighter Dr. Loosen wines from the Mosel. Made in the classic style of the Pfalz, J.L. Wolf Rieslings are drier and more full-bodied than Mosel Rieslings, with higher alcohol and ripe flavors of fruit and stone. In addition to Riesling, the Pfalz region has a long tradition with other grape varieties, allowing Ernst to expand his winemaking palette to include Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Gewürztraminer and Silvaner.

The Pfalz (pronounced “faults”) lies between the Haardt Mountains and the Rhine River, directly north of France’s Alsace region. As in Alsace, the mountains protect the area from cold, wet, Atlantic weather, making it one of the warmer and drier areas of Germany. This climate makes it possible to achieve full ripeness in every vintage — the key to making wines with rich concentration, fine balance and deep character.

Moderate aromatic fruit intensity typical of Pinot Gris. Citrus, pear and peach fruit. Some lactic aromas from MLF. Palate shows evidence of lees stirring in creamy mid-palate texture. Palate weight continues to get richer over time. The wine will continue to develop character with time in bottle.

My lack of enthusiasm for pinot gris is well known; the fact that I chose to plant some in the Upper Yarra Valley less so, although it goes to a good home. The key to these wines is that most come from cool climates. This has some straw-green colour, the bouquet has well-above-average complexity, as has the palate, aided by barrel ferment of a small part, imparting strong honey and spice overtones to the core of nashi pear. Rating: 93 Points Drink: 2013 Price: $18.00 Alcohol: 13% James Halliday Wine Companion, Nov 2011

Some gentle complexity has been cleverly worked into this wine; stewed apple some nougat, honey and baking spices- smells creamy. The palate flows through on smooth texture and delivers ripe pear and apple fruits; spice threads through the finish. Neat wine=- effortless. 91 Points, $18, Alc. 13%  Drink Now, Nick Stock, Good Wine Guide 2012 SMH & The Age

A Pinot Gris review? Well I never. Subdued and genteel with pear, honey and a light spice. It’s beautifully weighted with just enough flavour, just enough roughing up texturally and just enough acidity to keep it balanced and tight. There’s a creamy honeyed softness that lends a mellifluous tone to the wine and a hint of custard apple richness on the finish. I’d be happy to drink this any time. Top value too. Rated : 91 Points Tasted : Mar11 Alcohol : 13% Price : $18 Closure : Screwcap Drink : 2011 - 2013 By Gary Walsh; The Wine Front

The 2011 Pinot Gris has a distinctive rose gold hue. The pinkish coloration is a natural phenomenon of pinot gris. Being a mutation of pinot noir, there is a small degree of pink pigmentation in the skin of pinot gris. This can be either avoided or removed using various techniques in the winemaking process. This year we included all the pressings wine (which carries the majority of the pink colour) in our blend, because it made such a positive contribution to the structure of the wine. The result is a wine with pear, lychee and peach flavours complemented by fullness, some sweetness in the middle palate and cleansing acidity. The wine has great balance of flavour, alcohol, sweetness and acidity. It should be enjoyed while it is young and vibrant. Enjoy it with Asian cuisine, seafood and salads or keep with confidence for up to five years.

Top shelf Pinot Gris. I knew from the first pour when the delightfully translucent copper straw colour bedazzled my Riedel glass with its reflections bouncing effortlessly from side to side then finally settling enough for me to have my first sniff and swirl. Pure pears follow along with green apples and lemons, this is and orchardist's idea of heaven. Good liveliness on the palate - balance between ying and yang - you know what I mean. Anyway, it drinks beautifully with my lamb korma with plums and chickpeas and my homemade roti. Paul Ippolito; The Five Minute Wine Rush

The fruit was sourced from our vineyards in the Waipara Valley. A cooler summer delayed the start of the harvest, but a stable, warm Autumn delivered perfect fruit. Matured mainly in stainless steel, with a small portion in neutral oak barrels

A dry style Pinot Gris with delicate aromas of pear, apple and a touch of fresh ginger. A small portion was matured in neutral oak barrels providing a textural palate with rich and lingering flavours. Over time this wine will open up to show more candyfloss flavours. Pale yellow. Delicate pear, apple and a touch of fresh ginger. Dry in style and textured with lingering pear and melon characters

It's youthful and vibrant on the nose with lifted aromas of stonefruit, pear and floral. The palate is ripe and nicely weighted with lovely softness and subtle sweetness leading to a lingering crisp dry finish. A well harmonised and balanced wine showing great drinking appeal. 4 Stars - Sam Kim, Wine Orbit (NZ)

Silver - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards 2011 (NZ) 
Commended - IWC International Wine Challenge 2011 (UK)