Avatar photo

Jeni Port

Jeni Port is one of Australia’s top wine communicators. Based in Melbourne, Jeni created the first wine column in the (then) Sun News-Pictorial before moving over to The Age and becoming that paper’s longest-serving wine writer. Over the years she has written for most Australian wine magazines and these days calls WinePilot home. She is also a Tasting Panel member on the Halliday Wine Companion. She was named Wine Communicator of the Year and Legend of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival in 2014 and in 2018 Legend of the Vine. She is a founding board member of Australian Women In Wine and is the co-deputy chair of Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards and China’s Wine List of the Year Awards.
Parker Estate Block low res

Parker Estate 95 Block 2021

Combines Cabernet Sauvignon (74%) with Petit Verdot (26%) and the two Bordeaux grape varieties seem to really hit it off....
Parker Estate Terra Rossa Merlot Low Res

Parker Estate Terra Rossa Merlot 2022

My pick of the 2022 Parker Estate Terra Rossa trio. That lovely, velvety lush mouthfeel and gorgeous florals are exactly...
MonopoleShirazBottle

Hewitson Monopole Shiraz 2021

There’s history here, a lot of history to work through as you taste. Buds from a Shiraz vine planted in...
OldGardenMouvedreBottle

Hewitson Old Garden Vineyard Mourvèdre 2021

A special wine and no mere curio, Old Garden Vineyard is home to what is believed to be the world’s...
TheDorrienBankCabernetSauvignonBottle

Hewitson The Dorrien Bank Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Dorrien Cabernet Sauvignon has always had a touch of class, a memory first planted by the great Cabernets produced in...
BarrelBottle

Hewitson Barrel 1853 Shiraz Mourvèdre 2021

The top of the Hewitson wine tree is a blend of the best barrel of Monopole Shiraz and the best...
Rapunzel x

Black & Ginger Rapunzel Riesling 2023

Chances are many would have tasted the wonderful Rieslings previously sourced by a number of makers off the wonderful, old...
The Gypsy NV

Black & Ginger The Gypsy Vermentino 2023

Fresh from the Kilnhouse Vineyard in the Alpine Valleys and full of driving, crunchy acidity and a palate saline and...
Grenache Nouveau NV

Black & Ginger Grenache Nouveau 2023

Nouveau in name, nouveau in style. This is the innate joy of this Grenache so twist the cap open as...
Cinco Rojas NV

Black & Ginger Cinco Rojas 2022

Five Spanish/Portuguese red grape varieties combine, and the marriage made in Great Western brings forth some pretty impressive savoury oomph....
Persephone

Black & Ginger Persephone Rosso de Casa 2023

A rollicking flavour sensation from the three Italian amici : Nero d’Avola, Aglianico and Nero di Troia, born and raised...
Lilys Block Shiraz NEW NV

Black & Ginger Hounds Run Vineyard Shiraz 2022

A fair dose of Great Western class to this Shiraz with signature generous black fruits and spice drive, all rolled...
Petaluma ANOVA Cabernet Sauvignon

Petaluma ANOVA Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

The makers call the 2021 vintage in Coonawarra “extraordinary.” They’re not the only wine producers smiling. Around Australia, the vintage...
Bests Young Vine Pinot Meunier

Best’s Great Western Young Vine Pinot Meunier 2023

We know what Best’s Old Vine Pinot Meunier can do. Give it 10, 20, 30 years and it will be...
Best's Foudre Ferment Riesling PNG

Best’s Great Western Foudre Ferment Riesling 2023

Yes, oak was involved in the making of this ground-breaking Aussie Riesling, first produced in 2012. No, you won’t taste...
Bests Wines GW Pinot Noir PNG

Best’s Great Western Pinot Noir 2023

This keeps giving with every sip. Starts with a glistening red colour in the glass which attracts the eye. It’s...
Castelli Estate Chardonnay

Castelli Estate Great Southern Chardonnay 2023

I’m calling this attractive, flavoursome Chardonnay from Denmark the perfect date night wine. It’s price and quality are something you...
kilikanoon morts block riesling nv

Kilikanoon Mort’s Block Watervale Riesling 2023

The regional stamp of cut-lime fruit – intense cordial-like and zesty – runs strong in this Riesling. It’s there in...
NV Kilikanoon Prodigal Grenache

Kilikanoon Prodigal Grenache 2022

If we drink with our eyes, then this young Grenache is an immediate hit with its eye-catching vivid red-purple hues....
kilikanoon oracle shiraz nv

Kilikanoon Oracle Shiraz 2019

A bold, forceful presence in the glass that subtly changes, ever so slightly, over time. By day two it was...
NV Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz

Kilikanoon Covenant Shiraz 2019

A real crowd pleaser, and what a treat to see a classic-style Clare Valley Shiraz with a few years under...
Wynns BL OldVines Shz Coon FB AUS SC

Wynn’s Coonawarra Estate Black Label Old Vines Shiraz 2022

Sweet black berries rise from the glass followed by red fruits, aniseed and a whisper of woodsy oak before a...
Wynns BL CabSauv Coon FB AUS SC

Wynn’s Coonawarra Estate Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2022

Black Label is often referred to as a classic Aussie Cabernet. In part, that has to do with longevity –...
Wynns V&AL CabShz Coon FB AUS SC

Wynn’s Coonawarra Estate V&A Lane Cabernet Shiraz 2022

A rainy day in Coonawarra with the concentrated scent of the Australian bush heavy in the air. That’s the aroma...

Stories

Drone

Greek jewels from Alpha Estate and the emerging regions of PGI Florina (ΠΓΕ Φλώρινα) and PDO Amyndeon (ΠΟΠ Αμύνταιο)

Indigenous grape varieties – those multi-syllable ones that often trip the tongue and hail from ancient varieties off ancient lands...
Webicon

The Clare Valley Wine Guide 2026

By Jeni Port Clare Valley old vines dating back to the 1800s now share land and retail shelf space with...
Barrique Year image Viv Tom

Grampians Winemakers Shiraz The Barrique 2024

Each year, the Grampians winemakers pool together and blend their best Shiraz to send to auction at their annual Grampians...
n

Out of the fires

The tragic Central Victorian fires have had a devastating effect on many small wineries with ongoing financial and personal challenges...
IMG

Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Vertical

The Vasse Felix Tom Cullity project was impressive from day 1 with aspirations to make one of Margaret River’s greatest...
Tread Softly

Calling All Budding Next Gen Women Winemakers

Glass ceilings are made to be smashed. In the Australian wine industry, women know a thing or two about glass...
winepilot