Sunbury in focus: Marnong Estate's latest releases under winemaker Alex Beckett

There’s a renewed sense of purpose emerging from Marnong Estate, with these latest releases marking some of the first wines to arrive under the stewardship of winemaker Alex Beckett. Drawn from the estate’s Sunbury vineyards, the quartet offers a snapshot of both site and style, balancing regional character with Alex's contemporary, careful approach in the winery.

The collection begins with the 2025 Single Vineyard Fiano, a variety that continues to find a comfortable home in Victoria. Jane Faulkner notes its “heady aromas and flavours of grilled pineapple, grapefruit and apricot kernel”, underpinned by textural lees work and bright acidity. The 2022 Reserve Blanc de Blancs highlights another side of the estate’s ambitions, delivering “a lovely balance between fresh lemon, grapefruit and white peach flavours."

With two pinot noirs, Alex offers two distinct expressions of the variety. The 2024 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is vibrant and immediately appealing, “flaunting all its varietal flavours” with red and morello cherry fruit at its core. Meanwhile, the 2024 Reserve Pinot Noir has been described by Jane as “almost delicate and quite compelling”.

Together, these wines signal an exciting new chapter for Marnong Estate, showcasing both the strengths of the Sunbury region and Alex's confident hand in shaping the estate’s future direction.

For more information, head to marnongestate.com.au. And you can read Jane's full reviews and shop the wines below.

Single Vineyard Fiano 2025, Sunbury

I enjoyed this so much that I drank a few glasses at dinner. It’s the heady aromas and flavours of grilled pineapple, grapefruit and apricot kernel, with the creamed-honey lees and a dash of oak spice. The talc-like acidity corrals all the flavours together for a convincing finish. – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, 94 points.   

RRP $35 | Drink to 2031 | Shop this wine

Reserve Blanc de Blancs 2022, Sunbury

Well, this is a pleasant surprise. Good sparkling is not easy to make, yet this is a terrific aperitif style. A lovely balance between fresh lemon, grapefruit and white peach flavours, some light buttered-toast complexity and a little nutty oak. It’s crisp, refreshing, brimming with acidity alongside plenty of fine bead and creamy mousse. Highly enjoyable. Tiraged in Oct ’22 with 35 months on fine lees before disgorgement. – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, 93 points.   

RRP $80 | Drink to 2032 | Shop this wine

Reserve Pinot Noir 2024, Sunbury

As with the other ’24 pinots, this Reserve is in a lighter frame, almost delicate and quite compelling. Morello and pink cherries, chinotto and blood orange, with a light coating of woodsy spices, roasted hazelnuts and a touch of pomegranate molasses. The tannins are lithe, the acidity refreshing, and it offers a lot of juicy appeal. Complexity should come in time. – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, 93 points.   

RRP $70 | Drink to 2031 | Shop this wine

Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2024, Sunbury

It has a lot of sassy appeal, flaunting all its varietal flavours, yet is bound in a spool of acidity. Red and morello cherries with some wild strawberries dusted in sumac and woodsy spices. The palate is lightweight, but it’s refreshing and enjoyable, with feathery, fine tannins adding some shape. A good red for warmer weather. – Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion, 90 points.

RRP $40 | Drink to 2030 | Shop this wine