Mayer Wines

founded by German-born winemaker Timo Mayer in the Yarra Valley, is a small, family-run winery with a cult following. Mayer's winemaking philosophy can be summed up by his own motto: "Bring back the funk!" He is a pioneer of a minimal intervention style in Australia, with a particular focus on the traditional technique of whole-bunch fermentation. The winery's identity is intrinsically linked to its challenging, steep home vineyard, "Bloody Hill."

Winemaking Philosophy & Methods

Timo Mayer's approach is deeply influenced by his European background but is unapologetically Australian in its execution. He sees himself primarily as a farmer, believing that great wine is made in the vineyard and requires minimal interference in the cellar.

• Vineyard Management: The primary estate vineyard is called Bloody Hill due to its steep, difficult-to-work slope. This unique site is farmed manually on granite and decomposed rock soils. Mayer focuses on organic principles, dry-farming, and low yields to ensure fruit of high quality and concentration.

• Whole-Bunch Fermentation: This is the defining characteristic of Mayer wines. Timo was an early advocate for this technique in Australia, which involves fermenting the entire grape bunch, including stems. This adds a distinctive spicy, savory, and textural element to the wines. Many of his wines are made with 100% whole bunches.

• Fermentation & Additives: Fermentation is spontaneous and relies on indigenous yeasts. The wines are unfined and unfiltered to showcase the raw, pure expression of the land. Sulfur is used sparingly, if at all.

• Aging: Wines are matured in a combination of new and old French oak barrels, which are carefully selected to support the wine without overpowering the unique whole-bunch character.

Grapes & Wines

Mayer focuses on cool-climate varieties that thrive in the Yarra Valley, producing wines that are elegant, complex, and full of personality.

• Pinot Noir: This is Mayer's flagship variety. The Bloody Hill Pinot Noir is a classic expression, while the "Close Planted" and "Dr. Mayer" bottlings highlight different vineyard blocks and techniques. The wines are known for their bright red fruit, whole-bunch spice, and fine tannins.

• Syrah: Mayer's Syrah is a cool-climate style, often labeled as Syrah to distinguish it from bolder Australian Shiraz. The wines are elegant and peppery with a Rhone-like character.

• Chardonnay: Made in a textural and mineral-driven style, Mayer's Chardonnay has a unique flinty character from the granite soils of Bloody Hill.

• Other Varieties: Timo also experiments with other varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Gamay, Nebbiolo, and Merlot, often applying his signature whole-bunch fermentation technique to create distinctive and unexpected wines.