Halliday has crowned the 2024 Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio the ‘Pinot Grigio of the Year’ in the Halliday Wine Companion 2026 Awards.
Halliday has crowned the 2024 Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio the ‘Pinot Grigio of the Year’ in the Halliday Wine Companion 2026 Awards. Tar & Roses has been dedicated to creating a unique, Australian expression of Pinot Grigio along with other Mediterranean wine varieties since its establishment in 2006. The recognition is particularly timely, as Tar & Roses celebrates its 20th vintage with the release of the 2025 Pinot Grigio.
Earlier this year, Halliday awarded the 2024 Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio a gold medal, alongside a glowing 96-point review from Jeni Port. Of the Grigio, Port proclaimed “The style is set – from the warm blush colour and lightly spice-fuelled scent to the textural palate – and it’s a winner, especially at this price. It brings almost a gris quality with its smooth creaminess elevated in spiced stewed apple, pear, savoury citrus, white peach and spice. A grigio with a little more attitude than most.”
Tar & Roses Winemaker Narelle King attributes the decision to retain the distinct, signature blush hue of the Grigio to her late winemaking partner and friend, Don Lewis. For Narelle, his “captains call to not strip out the colour, was in hindsight, the best decision we’ve ever made”.
In response to the accolade, Narelle proclaims that “delivering a wine to consumers that they love brings me a lot of joy. The Pinot Grigio has become synonymous with the Tar & Roses brand and the loyalty that its drinkers give us is phenomenal. This is not lost on me, and each year we aim to make a wine better than the last.”
Narelle describes the award-winning 2024 Pinot Grigio to have “a delightful mix of structure and flavour. Good viscosity with a slight phenolic grip complemented by citrus and spice notes.” The 2024 vintage of Tar & Roses Pinot Grigio is limited, with the 2025 vintage set for imminent release.
The vision for Tar & Roses began in Priorat, Spain where the original winemaking team of Don Lewis and Narelle King immersed themselves within the classic Mediterranean wine regions & varietals, sparking an interest in how they could be expressed at home in Central Victoria. Ever since, Tar & Roses has crafted traditionally Mediterranean varieties from Victorian soils, producing Pinot Grigio, Sangiovese, Tempranillo & Nebbiolo alongside the more traditional Shiraz & Riesling.
With Don’s sad passing in 2017, Narelle continues their tradition & legacy by handcrafting these unique wines, including more recently, the vibrant and refreshing releases of Prosecco and Fiano.
