Soumah of the Yarra Valley is a producer of fine wines from the region. A hidden gem located down a country lane, in the dress circle of the cool Warramate foothills of Gruyere. Soumah set out to make wine with the charm of northern Italy but the provenance of the Yarra Valley. Situated an average of 120 metres above sea level, the vineyard is elevated above the valley floor. The ancient sandy-clay loams with broken sandstone shape the small yield and define the detail in these precise, focussed expressions of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Soumah has a ‘supervised control’ philosophy in relation to viticulture practices. The basis for this philosophy is to reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides as these will eventually degrade the soil and make a weaker vine. They endeavour to use natural elemental sprays of sulphur and copper to fight mildew and reduce synthetic sprays where possible. Mulching is also being introduced on a progressive basis across the entire vineyard, having the combined benefit of reducing evaporation in the summer and promoting a softer and more sustainable soil profile.

The Yarra Valley, located just an hour east of Melbourne, is one of Australia’s premier cool-climate wine regions. Nestled among rolling hills and river valleys, it boasts a diverse landscape with varying elevations, creating a range of microclimates ideal for premium viticulture. The region experiences a cool to moderate climate with a long growing season, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and develop complex flavours while retaining natural acidity.

Soils in the Yarra Valley range from fertile alluvial loams on the valley floor to well-drained volcanic and clay-based soils on the slopes, providing ideal conditions for a variety of grape types. The region is best known for its elegant Pinot Noir and refined Chardonnay, which thrive in the cooler sites, offering flavours of red cherry, raspberry, and spice in reds, and citrus, white peach, and flint in whites.

Cabernet Sauvignon also performs well in warmer pockets, delivering medium-bodied wines with blackcurrant, mint, and earthy notes. Additionally, the Yarra Valley has gained recognition for its high-quality sparkling wines, often made using traditional methods.

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most celebrated and challenging grape varieties, renowned for producing elegant, complex wines. Believed to have originated in Burgundy, France, over 1,000 years ago, it thrives in cooler climates where its thin skin and early ripening nature are best suited. Viticulturally, Pinot Noir is notoriously difficult to grow: it is susceptible to rot, mildew, and pests, and requires precise canopy management to balance ripening with acidity retention.

Pinot Noir is planted across the globe, with notable expressions found in Burgundy, Champagne, Oregon’s Willamette Valley, California’s Sonoma Coast, New Zealand’s Central Otago, and Germany’s Baden and Pfalz regions. In Champagne, it is a key component of sparkling wines, typically blended with Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. The wine's diverse geographical range means that you might also find it labelled as Red Burgundy, Pinot Nero, Blauburgunder, or Spätburgunder.

The grape produces wines of delicate colour but remarkable aromatic depth. Typical flavour profiles include red fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and strawberry, often layered with floral notes, earthy undertones, and hints of spice or forest floor as the wines mature. Styles range from light and silky to more structured and age-worthy, depending on climate and winemaking choices. Pinot Noir’s ability to express terroir with precision makes it a favourite among wine lovers, despite — or perhaps because of — its demanding nature in the vineyard.