Marcus Satchell, a veteran wine grower based in Gippsland, Australia, has unveiled his latest vintage under the Dirty Three label, marking 15 years of focused winemaking within a 20-year career. Known for his commitment to expressing the character of vineyard sites, Satchell’s recent 2025 releases highlight a deepening understanding of the region’s varied terroirs.
Dirty Three was co-founded by Satchell and two partners, who later departed to launch Four Pillars, a successful gin enterprise. Since then, Satchell has worked closely with his wife Lisa, who transitioned from finance to join the wine venture. The label’s philosophy centers on the belief that site specificity shapes the final product above all else.
Satchell describes his ongoing relationship with Gippsland vineyards as a long-term learning process, acknowledging that while it takes years to develop insight, complete knowledge remains elusive. The 2025 vintage, harvested under calm and steady conditions, is regarded by Satchell as among the best he has crafted so far.
The new releases include two distinct single-vineyard Pinot Noirs and a blended Pinot, alongside strong examples of Chardonnay and a Sangiovese named Aldo, honoring Lisa’s father. The Pinot Noirs particularly exemplify the unique qualities of Gippsland’s terroir.
“Dirt One,” sourced from the Berrys Creek vineyard near Leongatha, sits on deep red volcanic soils with a north-facing aspect. It delivers a robust profile marked by black cherry, ripe raspberry, layered spice, and floral notes, balanced by granular tannins. The wine is described as muscular yet controlled, showing gradual development in the glass. It carries an alcohol content of 13.5% and is rated at 95 points.
“Dirt Two,” from the nearby Tilson vineyard, contrasts with an east-facing aspect that imparts a cooler, more refined character. This wine offers wild raspberry, sour cherry, blood orange, rhubarb, and subtle spice, with delicate tannins likened to ground chalk. It is lighter in alcohol at 13% and received a score of 96 points.
The “All The Dirts” Pinot Noir blend brings together fruit from Berrys Creek, Tilson, and the Lauriston vineyard on Phillip Island. It presents dried strawberry, cranberry, sour cherry, and pomegranate flavors, with a light, textured mouthfeel and finely powdered tannins. This wine has an alcohol level of 13.5% and was awarded 93 points.
Satchell’s 2025 Dirty Three portfolio reflects a nuanced expression of Gippsland’s varied vineyard sites, reinforcing his ongoing dedication to showcasing the influence of terroir through precise vineyard-focused winemaking.