Lightfoot & Sons

Gippsland, Victoria

SUSTAINABLE - MINIMAL INTERVENTION

Established in 1992, Myrtle Point Vineyard in East Gippsland is the foundation of Lightfoot & Sons, a family-run winery led by Rob and Tom Lightfoot. Their terra rossa over limestone soils, unique in Gippsland, sit 300 feet above the East Gippsland tablelands, offering ideal conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Originally planted in 1995, the vineyard features Dijon Clone 96 Chardonnay, MV6 Pinot Noir, and Coonawarra-sourced Shiraz, all thriving in the cool climate. Rob and Tom returned to the family business after careers in sales, marketing, and viticulture, bringing fresh expertise to refine their wines.

With winemaker Alastair Butt, they now vinify each block separately, applying techniques like carbonic maceration, whole bunch fermentation, and varied oak selection. Their focus on micro-terroir has led to the creation of three single-block wines, each showcasing the unique character of Myrtle Point Vineyard and their commitment to quality.

2022 LIGHTFOOT AND SONS ‘MYRTLE POINT’ CHARDONNAY - GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA

I like this modern style Chardonnay, light on the palate but still plenty of depth and complexity. Lemon pith and grapefruit with just a hint of French Oak and a creamy, barrel ferment texture.

2018 LIGHTFOOT AND SONS ‘HOME BLOCK’ CHARDONNAY - GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA

Excellent concentration of flavour. No lack of style. Green melon, white peach, a wealth of seductive/creamy oak, and a bit of dazzle dazzle to the finish…

The Home Block was the first planting of vines at the Myrt le Point property in 1995. Positioned on a limestone bluff high above the Mitchell River, the Home Block consistently produces Chardonnay of concentration and power.

2016 LIGHTFOOT AND SONS ‘RIVER BLOCK’ SHIRAZ - GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA

100 days post ferment maceration before going into French oak, 40% new. The effort was worth it. This is a pretty spectacular shiraz. Immensely peppery and textural with an excellent push of plush-feeling fruit and a highly complex, not to mention persistent, finish. It feels absolutely cool climate and bunchy but it also feels absolutely ripe and generous. It will no doubt age but there isn’t a lot of reason to wait; it’s beautiful now.

2023 LIGHTFOOT AND SONS ‘MYRTLE POINT’ ROSE - GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA - 100% PINOT NOIR

Pinot noir commands centre stage here in Gippsland. This wine has a lot of the classic Pinot fruit character of red berries and dark plum. It also shows the trademark hint of something a little meatier and more savoury that we see in Pinot from the Myrtle Point Vineyard. It’s a wine that is mostly about the pure expression of fruit character, but there is subtle texture and tannins in this wine and a touch of the barnyard/forest floor “funk”.

2016 LIGHTFOOT AND SONS ‘MYRTLE POINT’ SHIRAZ - GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA

“Estate-grown MV6 planted ’97, eight picking days 4-25 Mar, the majority destemmed, open-fermented with cultured yeast, 15% fermented with 30% whole bunches to allow some carbonic maceration, matured in new and used French oak, bottled unfiltered. This complex vinification has resulted in a very complex pinot, with red and purple fruits, abundant spices and savoury/earthy fine-grained tannins. This in turn leads to good length and texture.

Vintage	Wine	Availability
2016	LIGHTFOOT AND SONS ‘CLIFF BLOCK’ PINOT NOIR - GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA	SOLD OUT!
2022	LIGHTFOOT AND SONS ‘CHAMELEON’ WHITE PINOT NOIR - GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA	SOLD OUT!
2022	LIGHTFOOT AND SONS ‘BEAUJANGLES’ PINOT NOIR - GIPPSLAND, VICTORIA	SOLD OUT!