The Place for Pinot

Boat O’Craigo crafts two distinct single-vineyard Pinot Noirs, each drawn from our estate vineyards in the Yarra Valley, one nestled in a sheltered vale in Healesville at the foot of the Black Spur, the other from our higher-altitude site at Kangaroo Ground.

Each wine is thoughtfully crafted, with individual parcels of fruit kept separate by vineyard and clone throughout fermentation and maturation. This careful approach preserves the unique identity of each site, allowing it to shine through in the final blend and in every bottle.

Kangaroo Ground

Situated on the western edge of the Yarra Valley, Kangaroo Ground is a warmer site, characterised by rich black volcanic basalt soils and north-east facing slopes that maximise sun exposure throughout the growing season.

Elevated approximately 100 metres above our Healesville vineyard, Kangaroo Ground sits at the southern end of the valley and offers a truly distinctive terroir. The vineyard is planted on ancient volcanic soils — black basalt over clay — the remnants of long-extinct volcanic activity, which retain warmth and contribute to the depth and richness of the fruit.

Planted in 2000 and spanning 17 acres under vine, the vineyard is now well established, with vines that have matured into balance. This unique combination of aspect, elevation, and soil profile makes it the ideal home for our Black Cameron Shiraz, Braveheart Cabernet Sauvignon, and Kincardine Grenache, alongside 3.17 acres of Pinot Noir planted to MV6 and D4V2 clones.

The warmer conditions at Kangaroo Ground allow for a longer ripening period compared to our Healesville site, enabling the development of generous, full-bodied fruit with depth and structure. Careful vineyard management — including maximising airflow, utilising the heat-retentive properties of the soil, side-throw mowing to enhance under-vine warmth, and precise irrigation and timing of practices — ensures the vines remain in balance and consistently produce premium-quality fruit.

Healesville

Nestled in the foothills of the Black Spur Range, our Healesville vineyard is a cooler, more sheltered site producing refined, cool-climate wines. Set in the upper reaches of the Watts River, the vineyard sits elevated above the valley floor with a southerly aspect and is bordered by Graceburn Creek, creating a naturally moderated microclimate.

The soils are alluvial, layered with ancient river gravel and bedrock reefs, contributing to elegance, minerality, and purity of fruit expression. These conditions are ideally suited to early budburst and early ripening varieties, making Healesville the perfect home for Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay, alongside our only red varietal on site — Pinot Noir — with 9.4 acres planted to MV6, G5V15, and D4V2 clones.

Purchased in 2003, with vines originally planted between 1998 and 1999, the vineyard now encompasses over 20 acres under vine. Many of the older vines are dry-grown, encouraging deep root systems and enhancing site expression.

Cooler than our Kangaroo Ground vineyard and receiving more than double the rainfall, Healesville offers a markedly different growing environment. Since acquisition, the vineyard has undergone continual refinement, including the careful selection of varieties best suited to the site, the introduction of diverse clones to build complexity and flexibility in winemaking, and the ongoing evolution of viticultural practices.

This considered approach ensures the vineyard remains in balance and consistently delivers premium fruit defined by finesse, vibrancy, and a true sense of place.