The 2025 Gentle Folk Piccadilly Pinot Noir is the first wine from Woods Hill Vineyard at Summertown, an established site in the Piccadilly Valley that is new to Gentle Folk. It is the juiciest and lightest of the 2025 single-vineyard Pinots and the one to open first.
Woods Hill was planted in 1980 at 560 metres on a north–south slope of light loamy clay over sandstone, threaded with schist and quartz rubble. Five Pinot clones are planted: D5V12, MV6, 114, 115 and 777. The fruit came in on 17 March 2025 and was fermented as whole berries and whole bunches, then aged nine months in French oak (20% new) and three months in tank. Bottled 3 March 2026; 3,742 bottles.
Red fruit, wild strawberry and bramble with a fine, brick-dust tannin and a quietly juicy palate. Medium-bodied, long on the finish, and built to drink young.
94+ points, Gary Walsh, The Wine Front: a splendid debut; touch and go for 95.
Ben’s Recommendation:
Serve this a touch cool with salmon, roast chicken, charcuterie or a tomato-based pasta. Drink over the next four or five years; it does not need cellaring to show its best.
