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On 7 October 2025, Australia’s most prestigious Pinot Noir award was announced at a gala dinner held at Maison Bâtard, Melbourne.
For the first time in the event’s history, the Yarra Valley claimed the national trophy, ending Tasmania’s five-year reign at the top of the Australian Pinot Noir Challenge (APNC).

Hosted by the Mornington Peninsula Vignerons Association, the APNC has become the definitive benchmark for Australian Pinot Noir since its inception in 2017, celebrating regional expression and stylistic diversity.
This eighth edition attracted more than 300 entries from 17 Pinot Noir-producing regions nationwide.

🏆 National Trophy Winner: Giant Steps 2024 Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir (Yarra Valley)

The Giant Steps 2024 Applejack Vineyard Pinot Noir was crowned the 2025 Australian Pinot Noir Challenge Champion, marking the first-ever overall victory for the Yarra Valley.

Head Judge Tom Carson, one of the country’s foremost Pinot Noir specialists, praised the wine as:

“Fragrant, detailed, poised, elegant, powerful, ethereal — the descriptors go on and on, just like the wine. Stunning.”

“Giant Steps winemaking team celebrates the 2025 Australian Pinot Noir Challenge Trophy at Maison Bâtard, Melbourne.”

Since taking the helm in 2021, Winemaker Mel Chester has led Giant Steps through an extraordinary run of accolades. Both the 2022 and 2023 Applejack Pinot Noirs were named Pinot Noir of the Year by the Halliday Wine Companion, cementing the pedigree of this exceptional vineyard.

“Applejack is a special site,” Mel said. “It’s a cool, high-altitude east-facing slope with hungry grey soils and gentle morning light. Winning this trophy for the Yarra Valley is a huge honour for our team and region.”

Situated in Gladysdale, Applejack’s unique combination of altitude, soil austerity and long, cool ripening produces Pinot Noir of remarkable depth, spice and finesse, consistently ranking among Australia’s most celebrated single-vineyard sites.

🌏 2025 Regional Trophy Winners

Chair of the Challenge Lindsay McCall noted:

“Tasmania has dominated for the past five years, so seeing the Yarra Valley break through for its first win is a significant achievement. It underscores the strength and world-class calibre of Australian Pinot Noir across multiple regions.”

🍇 A Multi-Regional Era for Australian Pinot Noir

The 2025 results mark a clear turning point: Pinot Noir excellence now spans Australia’s diverse cool-climate frontiers.

• Yarra Valley — elegance, lift and precision define a new-wave style;

• Tasmania — remains the benchmark for purity and balance;

• Mornington Peninsula & Adelaide Hills — deliver layered spice and texture;

• Western Australia & Central Ranges — continue to gain recognition for finesse under warmer yet moderated conditions.

As the climate warms and winemaking philosophies evolve, Australian Pinot Noir is moving from power to purity, from ripeness to restraint, and from uniformity to authentic regional identity.

📜 Past Winners at a Glance

Tasmania’s dominance has defined the past half-decade, but Yarra Valley’s breakthrough signals a new balance of power.