Firstly, what a fun vintage in the winery, spirits were high based on the favourable growing conditions which allowed the fruit to be picked at perfect ripeness and flavour and without too much hurry. A classic start date to vintage (early-mid Feb) meant that our vintage casuals were able to explore the region enjoy some good beach time before vintage got under way. Our combination of two French and one young Aussie casuals also fueled plenty of banter and lots of laughter. Monsignor Pressoir (Press Master) and Madam Pichet (Madam bucket) certainly brough the best of France to our little pocket of the world.
We also enjoyed the first season with our new Europress, a very precise and efficient German press! I am confident the quality of our wines will improve with our new addition to the team.
A warm January provided perfect ripening conditions for the whites and we started on Feb 7 with Chardonnay from Karridale for our Blanc de Blanc. Withing 3 days we were picking our newest block of Gin Gin Chardonnay on the Wilyabrup home block, grafted a few years back and showing great promise early, from there Chardonnay was all in by 26th February. Fiano and Sauvignon Blanc also shone, with intense flavour and big personality. I am really happy with the quality of the whites in general, there is great intensity and beauty in the wines. The natural acidity is fleshed out perfectly by great fruit intensity and texture, and they are maturing nicely.
Tempranillo and Malbec were the first of the reds, with Tempranillo benefitting from the low crops and showing excellent generosity. Malbec was a real hero in 2025 with a range of styles from our various blocks from deep, inky and complex to light bright and fragrant. There is so much to blend with here, I can’t wait!
March was the warmest month in 2025 which is slightly unusual and certainly benefitted the old Shiraz block, showing the black fruits and spice typical of excellent Shiraz vintages.
And finally to the Cabernet and friends. Cabernet Franc shows excellent potential this season, it is very lifted and has lovely silken tannins. Petit Verdot was also strong with that late warmth and has great colour and violet lift, and some fantastic fleshy and berry fruited Merlot was also made this year. We started picking Cabernet on April 2nd in Wilyabrup. It is another solid year for these old vines, with great depth and complexity, fine tannin structures and great length. It is always a waiting game with Cabernet to see how it grows in barrel but they show huge potential as young wines, and the class of this site is definitely evident in the quality of the fruit.
A vintage full of promise, energy, and great wine to come.