Wine by Farr

Wine by Farr makes small quantities of single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from Geelong, 80 kilometres southwest of Melbourne. What sets them apart is their refusal to follow mainstream direction: every bottle is an expression of their specific vineyard, their land, and what they personally want to drink. You're buying wines made by people with decades of regional knowledge and Burgundian training, not a volume producer chasing market trends.

About Wine by Farr

Gary Farr has been making wine in the Moorabool Valley since 1978, giving him an encyclopaedic understanding of Geelong's topography. That knowledge led to the purchase of the By Farr estate in 1994. His winemaking philosophy was shaped by ten vintages at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, where he learned the meticulous use of whole-bunch fermentation—a technique he still employs to lift aromas and build grainy tannin structure.

His son Nick joined him and has carved out his own stellar reputation, named Winemaker of the Year by Gourmet Traveller Wine in 2020. Nick trained at both Domaine Dujac and Au Bon Climat in California, bringing additional perspective to their shared winemaking vision.

The estate operates across multiple vineyard sites, each with distinct characteristics. The densely planted 'Côte' vineyard (7,000 vines per hectare) produces their GC Chardonnay from soils combining black volcanic material with limestone and loamy components. Just 300 metres away, the 'Farrside' vineyard experiences different conditions and is harvested 10–12 days later, producing Pinot Noir with its own character. In the cellar, they employ measured oak alongside whole-bunch pressing and natural cool fermentation techniques to achieve balance and complexity rather than weight.

Their Chardonnay programme reflects this careful approach. The Geelong Chardonnay comes from Sangreal; the GC Chardonnay from Côte blends components from diverse aspects and soil types. Their Viognier is barrel-fermented with skin contact to create richness and perfume. The Shiraz is co-fermented with a small percentage of Viognier, adding depth to both nose and palate. All Pinot Noir fruit is hand-picked, with high percentages of whole-bunch fermentation to develop the aromatic and textural profile they seek.

Wine by Farr Wines in Our Collection

The 2023 Sangreal Geelong Pinot Noir (96 points, The Wine Front) and 2023 Farrside Geelong Pinot Noir (96 points) represent the top expression of their Pinot work—buy these for serious occasions or when you want to understand the differences between their vineyard sites. Both show the light, perfumed character typical of Geelong, with the structure that whole-bunch fermentation provides.

The 2024 Geelong Viognier (95 points, The Wine Front) is a tropical, balanced alternative if you want something different from their core range.

The 2022 Geelong Shiraz (94 points, The Wine Front) and 2023 Geelong Shiraz (95 points) round out the portfolio with rich, intense reds that benefit from their Viognier co-fermentation technique.

Food Pairing

Their Pinot Noirs suit duck, mushroom risotto, roasted chicken, and soft cheeses—the grainy tannins and perfumed aromatics complement dishes with earthy or umami depth. The Chardonnays work with butter-based sauces, seafood, and poached or roasted white fish. The Shiraz pairs with roasted lamb, beef with herb crusts, and aged cheddar. The Viognier bridges white and red territory—serve it with richer fish dishes, roasted root vegetables, or semi-hard cheeses.

What makes Wine by Farr different from other Australian Pinot Noir producers?

They focus on small-quantity, single-vineyard expression rather than mainstream styles. Gary's ten vintages at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy shaped their meticulous whole-bunch fermentation technique, which lifts aromas and builds grainy tannin structure uncommon in Australian reds.

Why are there multiple Pinot Noirs with different vineyard names?

Each vineyard site—Sangreal, Farrside, Tout Près, RP, Barbarian—has distinct soil, aspect, and microclimate. Farrside, just 300 metres from Sangreal, is harvested 10–12 days later and produces markedly different expressions of Pinot Noir.

Are these wines made from their own vineyards?

Yes. The By Farr estate was purchased in 1994 and includes multiple vineyard sites. This estate control allows them to manage every stage from growing grapes to bottling, ensuring quality and consistency with their winemaking philosophy.

Who makes Wine by Farr wines?

Gary Farr, who has made wine in Geelong since 1978 and trained at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy, alongside his son Nick, Winemaker of the Year 2020, who studied at Domaine Dujac and Au Bon Climat.

What style of wine does Wine by Farr make?

Single-vineyard Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Viognier from Geelong. Their Pinots are light and perfumed with whole-bunch fermentation structure; the 2023 Farrside Pinot Noir scored 96 points.

How much does Wine by Farr wine cost?

Prices range from £42 to £87 per bottle. Standard releases sit around £62–£63, while single-vineyard and reserve bottlings reach £87.