The Beginnings
In 2000 we purchased a small property in Geographe, near Capel and planted Merlot grafted vines on Tuart sandy loam soils. The vines enjoy cooling breezes from the nearby Indian Ocean and run down a west-facing slope into a creek and towering Tuart forest.
Dream Position Realised...
Later in 2002 we found and bought our dream property, 25 hectares in Rosa Glen, 15km east of Margaret River. Growing on rolling hills of Treeton sandy loam, the Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon vines are fronted by a dam and backed by remanent bush of Jarrah and Marri. The rammed earth family home enjoys views of the vines book ended between the rose garden and tall trees, with magical sunrises and vocal birdlife. The vines grew from cuttings predominantly planted in 1984. Since our purchase, we have focused on improving the quality of the fruit by installing new trellising and irrigation. Our first harvest of Geographe Merlot was in 2003, the year we embarked on winemaking.