MV6 Pinot Noir in Australia – Part 1: Origins and Vine Heritage
( image source : https://www.wineaustralia.com/market-insights/regions-and-varieties/pinot-noir)
Heard of Pinot Noir? Great. Ever heard of MV6? Maybe not. But if you’ve enjoyed an Aussie Pinot, chances are you’ve already tasted it. In this first of two parts, we’ll introduce you to MV6 – the vine clone that helped build Australia’s Pinot Noir story. Simple, clear, and maybe with a glass in hand.
What is MV6?
MV6 stands for "Mother Vine 6," a clone of Pinot Noir brought to Australia in the 1830s from Burgundy, France – probably from the legendary Clos Vougeot vineyard. It was part of the vine collection brought over by James Busby, the father of Aussie viticulture. Out of the hundreds of vines he brought, MV6 turned out to be a star.
Unlike newer clones like 777 or Abel, MV6 has had time to adapt to Australia’s climate and soils. It’s kind of like the friend who came over for a visit and ended up staying for 180 years. It’s now considered Australia’s heritage Pinot Noir clone – the OG of Aussie Pinot.
( image source : https://www.wineaustralia.com/market-insights/regions-and-varieties/pinot-noir)
Why It’s a Big Deal in Australia
MV6 became popular in part because it was here first – and it turned out to be a great fit. It ripens later than many clones, which is helpful in Australia’s warmer regions, avoiding the heat spikes that can mess with grape flavour. It also doesn’t go overboard on yields, which is good news for flavour concentration (and winemakers’ sanity).
It’s been used for everything from sparkling base wine to premium single vineyard Pinot. And because it performs well in both warm and cool climates, you’ll find it in top Pinot regions like Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Geelong, Adelaide Hills and Tasmania.
MV6 in the Vineyard
Before we get too geeky, here's a fun fact: many Aussie winemakers love MV6 so much, they bottle it on its own. Want proof? Check out these three 100% MV6 Pinot Noirs available now on FinePinot:
-
Clyde Park Block F Pinot Noir (Geelong, VIC) – Old-vine MV6 planted in the 1980s, delivering depth, structure, and a brooding dark-fruited core.
-
Toolangi E Block Pinot Noir (Yarra Valley, VIC) – MV6 from a prized single block, known for its silky texture and lifted spice.
-
Yabby Lake Block 2 Pinot Noir (Mornington Peninsula, VIC) – Made only in top vintages, this wine shows MV6’s most elegant, floral and complex side.
In the vineyard, MV6 is dependable – the kind of vine that shows up on time and does its job well. It produces small, tight grape bunches with plenty of flavour and good colour. Its canopy can be a little floppy (lazy leaves!), but trellis it right and it’s easy to manage.
MV6 grapes tend to have a great balance between sugar, acid and tannin. That means the resulting wines are often vibrant, structured, and age-worthy – while still being deliciously drinkable when young. No wonder so many winemakers call it their go-to clone.
Coming up in Part 2: So what does MV6 wine taste like? And why do winemakers bottle it solo? We’ll also highlight a few standout bottles made with 100% MV6 you can try from FinePinot. See you there!
References & Further Reading
- Ed Merrison, The Joy of MV6 – how MV6 clone Pinot Noir went from Burgundy to Australian cool‑climate wine regions, Vininspo Wine Education, 2023. vininspo.wine
- Ata Rangi – Abel clone origin and vineyard history (Martinborough, NZ). atarangi.co.nz
- Bended Knee Vineyard – Pinot Noir: MV6 as the mainstay clone in Australia. bendedknee.com.au
- Clyde Park Winery – Block F Single Clone Pinot Noir (MV6), Geelong. clydepark.com.au
- Curly Flat Vineyard – Central block Pinot Noir (100% MV6), Macedon Ranges. curlyflat.com
- Wine Australia – MV6 as the most widely planted “premium” Pinot clone. awri.com.au
- Australian Wine Guide – Varietal review of popular Pinot Noir clones in Australia. australianwineguide.com.au
- Sirromet Winery – 2019 Clone MV6 Pinot Noir (Clone Series). sirromet.com