Ross Hill is a welcomed new territory for me, but the story behind these wines is worth a moment before diving in. Winemaker Chris Jessop joined the team two years ago, bringing experience from Mudgee, the Barossa, the Limestone Coast, Germany and his native New Zealand. His approach is all about gentle handling, wild ferments, lighter oak and letting Orange’s cool‑climate fruit speak clearly. It also marks Ross Hill’s tenth year as a certified carbon‑neutral winery, a philosophy that runs through both the vineyard and the cellar. The Pinnacle Series is one part of the resultant approach. Modern, thoughtful, and delightfully likeable wines that put fruit purity and texture front and centre.
Chardonnay is a bit of a calling card for cool‑climate regions, and Orange is no exception. High elevation, long ripening and natural acidity give the variety a clarity and precision that suits the more restrained, fruit‑first approach Chris Jessop is aiming for. Ross Hill ‘Pinnacle Series’ Chardonnay is a good place to start. A good example of the variety that shows the site, the minimal intervention and the winemaker’s deft touch in the finished wine.
Live simply. Laugh often. Wine a lot.
Region: Orange Region, NSW Price: $40 Source: Sample thanks kindly to Ross Hill Wines and Define Wine
It opens with lovely citrus and soft stone‑fruit aromatics, the kind that gives a sense of brightness and varietal expression. The palate offers up peach and melon characters with a ‘fleshy-fruit’ feel too, while some acidity adds freshness and balance. There’s a gentle creaminess, subtle oak influence and enough texture giving the wine a nice mouth-feel and a touch of weight on the palate. It finishes clean, cool and refreshing, inviting you to go back for another sip. A classy, modern cool‑climate Chardonnay and a strong introduction for me to the Pinnacle Series.
Words from a Wine Glass 