Starward have collaborated with Yarra Valley’s first ever vineyard, Yering Station, for a limited release that celebrates the very best of Victoria. Our red wine barrel matured single malt whisky spent almost two years finishing in ex-pinot-noir barrels from the illustrious and acclaimed, Yering Station.
Featuring delicious notes of juicy blackberries, fresh cherries, and vanilla spice, Starward Pinot Noir Cask is velvety and bursting with flavour. Nothing is more inherently ‘Starward’ than our signature red wine barrel maturation. Our distillers were beyond excited for an opportunity to partner with local winery, Yering Station. Known for their award-winning Pinot Noir barrels. Using the best quality French oak, these rare puncheon barrels capture those deliciously bright and fruity Pinot Noir notes, bringing forward a new depth of flavour.
We took parcels of our red wine barrel matured single malt whisky and filled a combination of fresh and charred, French oak puncheon barrels that once held Yering Station’s Pinot Noir. Our whisky spent almost two years finishing in these barrels, which allowed the liquid to deeply develop notes of forest berries, black cherry, vanilla and subtle hints of oak.
Starward Production Director, Sam Slaney is looking forward to seeing how whisky lovers, wine lovers and Victorian travellers embrace this collaboration release; “We’re so excited to collaborate with a fantastic, local Victorian producer like Yering Station. Red wine barrel maturation has been a part of Starward’s DNA from the very start, and with Yering Station famously known as ‘the cool climate specialists of the pinot variety’, we knew we had something pretty special on our hands when we came across these barrels. I’m really looking forward to seeing how whisky fans, wine lovers and curious drinkers, enjoy this special release.”
Chief Winemaker at Yering Station, Brendan Hawker is thrilled with the final liquid, noting the delicious influence that Yering Station’s Pinot Noir has left on Starward’s whisky. “What a fantastic opportunity this has been for Yering Station to collaborate with such a progressive and iconic Melbourne producer as Starward. A lot of hard work and dedication from our vineyard and winery teams goes into the growing and making of our wines, and it is a thrill for the entire team to see the beautiful dark cherry and the black forest influence from our Pinot Noir contribute to this delicious drink.”
Those looking to get their hands on Starward Pinot Noir Cask can do so on exclusively through Melbourne Airport Lotte Duty Free Store this festive season, from 6 November 2023. If you’re not planning on travelling through Melbourne Airport, Starward Pinot Noir Cask can also be purchased directly from www.yering.com.
