Pinot Masterclass sessions were conducted in Tasmania and Victoria in October 2012. The sessions aimed to provide insights into the viticultural and oenological findings from work funded by a $1.8M AusIndustry Industry Cooperative Innovation Program grant to improve vineyard management and winemaking techniques for the Tasmanian and cool-climate wine industry – with a particular focus on Pinot Noir and sparkling wines.
Along with presentation of the research findings, benchmark Pinot Noir tastings were also held (with Pinot Noir benchmark wines from Tasmania, Victoria, New Zealand, Oregon and Burgundy). The sessions were presented by Dr Richard Smart (Smart Viticulture), Dr Andrew Pirie (Tamar Ridge Wines), Drs Fiona Kerslake, Jo Jones and Ruben Wells (Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture), Angela Sparrow (Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture) and Dr Bob Dambergs (The Australian Wine Research Institute).
The sessions were held in Tasmania (Campbelltown) on 8 October, Yarra Valley (Yering Station) 10 October and Mornington Peninsula (Elgee Park) 11 October and invited Pinot Noir producers from all across South Eastern Australia. Just over 40 people attend each session: 127 in total across all three workshops. Feedback from the workshops has been very positive with particular comments surrounding the expertise in the room and the linking of research results with an actual tasting and explanation of what was in the glass.
The Pinot Masterclass agenda and wine analysis
| Presentation | Presenter |
| Pinot Noir research as a guide to improving wine quality | Dr Richard Smart |
| Canopy management for sparkling grape production | Dr Fiona Kerslake |
| Manipulating Pinot Noir quality with winemaking | Dr Bob Dambergs |
| The influence of vine stress and leaf health on Pinot Noir quality | Dr Reuben Wells |
| Pruning decisions for premium sparkling wine production | Dr Joanna Jones |
| Utilising the tannin compartments of Pinot noir grapes via differing winemaking practices | Angela Sparrow |