Curly Flat Winery

Curly Flat was founded by Jeni and Phillip Moraghan in 1991 after they discovered fine wine, particularly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, while studying in Switzerland. After painstaking research Curly Flat was planted near Lancefield in the Macedon Ranges, a lesser known region at the time but one that has become increasingly well known for cool climate styles, particularly Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Sparkling wines.

The first releases of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the 1998 vintage hit the market in 2001 and immediately caused a stir. In later years, the second label, Williams Crossing, proved to one of very few truly varietal and complex styles found below $25. However, it is the Curly Flat Chardonnay and Pinot particularly from vintages post 2003 that have really put Curly Flat on the map as one of the finest producers of these varietals in the country as evidenced by a range of glowing reviews such as “a producer of some of the finest Australian Pinot Noir I have encountered” from Jancis Robinson MW.

Curly Flat Philosophy and Winemaking

Winemaker Phillip Moraghan leaves no stone unturned in his quest to make the finest wines possible from his cool site with all vines hand pruned and handpicked. There is also a strong adherence to biodynamic viticulture with composts as well as preparations 500 and 501 used in the vineyard. Phillip is also always looking for ways to improve the final products in the winery with recent efforts to widen his oak supply to a variety of coopers pursued to give greater complexity to the wines. Chardonnay is largely barrel fermented with no malolactic inoculation. Pinot Noirs ferment in tank on skins prior to transfer to barrel.

Curly Flat Wine Types

All fruit for Curly Flat wines is Estate grown with the finest barrels of Chardonny and Pinot Noir used for Curly Flat label, the remainder bottled as Williams Crossing. There is also an attractive unoaked Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio with good character.