Product Description
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Rouleur, Whitlands High Plateau, Strawberry Fields, Pinot Meunier, 2025, Yarra Valley, Australia
Producer Profile
Matt East grew up in the Yarra Valley and worked alongside his father in the family vineyard from a young age. He dedicated 10 years to grape growing with a focus on Pinot Noir and made wine in the shed growing up. He further honed his skills in local wineries during vintage and eventually left the Yarra Valley to study, travel and pursue a career in the broader wine industry.
As a keen cyclist all his life, Matt’s love affair with the bike matches his passion for making wine from exceptional sites across the Yarra Valley and elevated, alpine climbs of the Whitlands High Plateau. Rouleur (noun – Roller) was inspired by vineyards Matt discovered while riding – chance meetings with growers and local people that helped turn dreams into reality.
All Rouleur fruit is handpicked and sorted. White grapes are largely pressed as whole bunches, to new and old larger format oak. Variety dependent, Matt opts for subtle use of skin contact during fermentation, particularly with his Pinot Gris, a standout wine in the range. The Rouleur reds are mostly fermented with whole berries intact, while whole bunches are used in varying degrees when site, vintage and style dictate accordingly.
Viticulture
Handpicked grapes exclusively from the alpine, Whitlands vineyard. V25 was the perfect vintage for Meunier which tends to enjoy extra ‘hang time’ hence the variety was seasonally suited and allowed Matt to play a little differently this year in the winery.
Winemaking
40% of whole bunches were tipped to a single OTF, gassed/wrapped and fermented carbonically for 5 days. After which we footstomped and allowed an extra 2 days for those sugars to dry before pressing straight to 300L hogsheads. The remaining 60% of grapes were destemmed and fermented wild, on skins for 10 days before pressing to tank and allowing the juice to finish primary fermentation.
Wine remained in barrel for MLF and stayed on lees for only 6 months before racking to tank and settling in readiness for bottling. Opting not to filter Strawberry Fields, it’s a wine that looks lovely with a touch of solids derived grit, providing some extra weight and complexity. There’s 12% new oak in here but it’s hardly noticeable with a single Burgundian barrel, steam bent staves contributing little if any ‘oak character’ more of propping up varietal fruit and adding a touch of tannin too.
Tasting Note
Bright as a button, but with a hint of haze in the glass, the 2025 Meunier is simply delicious and perfect summertime / anytime drinking.
On the nose our Meunier presents lovely varietal rose petal florals, orange citrus rind over pomegranate and amped up brambly red fruits courtesy of the cab mac. The palate is juicy and fruit forward with hints of grit and lovely fruitfulness that flows to the finish backed by bright natural acidity.
There was little need to tinker with this wine when finishing, just a lovely wine, representative of a quality vineyard and vintage. Best served with family and friends – and as always, don’t be afraid to ‘chill down’ should the weather and occasion suit.
Goes well with
Known for its strawberry-forward palate, bright acidity, and light body, pairs best with dishes that complement its fruitiness and earthy undertones. Excellent choices include roasted duck, savoury pork dishes, mushroom risotto, or prosciutto charcuterie.
Cellaring
Don’t take our word for it
“Sourced from the Burder vineyard at 841m on the Whitlands High Plateau. 74% destemmed, 26% carbonic maceration. A light, bright ruby crimson. Perfumed with alpine fruits, hibiscus and a touch of thyme an undergrowth. The palate is light to medium bodied and gently poised, finishing with just the right amount of fine0grained tannins and brisk acidity. A delicious and refreshing red to drink now and over the next two to three years.” – 94 POINTS – Halliday Wine Companion, 24th March 2026
Features
Varieties: Pinot Meunier 100%
Colour: Red
ABV: 13%
Closure: Screwcap
Style: Still
Case Size: 12 x 75cl
Country: Victoria, Australia
Region: Yarra Valley
Vintage: 2025
