Western Australia Flashcards
What are the zones of Western Australia?
South West Australia
Greater Perth
Central Western Australia
West Australian South East Coastal
Eastern Plains, Inland & North of Western Australia
What GIs are in South West Australia Zone?
Margaret River GI
Geographe GI
Blackwood Valley GI
Manjimup GI
Pemberton GI
Great Southern GI
- Denmark GI
- Albany GI
- Porongurup GI
- Frankland River GI
- Mount Barker GI
What GIs are in the Greater Perth Zone?
Peel GI
Perth Hills GI
Swan District GI
- Swan Valley GI (est. 2003)
Peel GI
- State
- Zone
- Major Towns
- Size
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Feature
- Producers
- First commercial planting
Peel GI
- State: Western Australia
- Greater Perth Zone
- Major Towns: Mandurah, Pinjarra, Singleton, Waroona
- Total Hectares Under VIne: 100 ha (2012, Wine Australia)
Grapes
- Red Grapes (60%): Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Grenache
- White Grapes (40%): Chardonnay, Semillon
- Soil Types: gravel and granite soils inland, limestone sands and fluvial sediments on the coast
- Darling Plateau, Indian Ocean
- Key Producers: Peel Estate
- First Commercial Plantings: 1857 (A single vineyard near Pinjarra was planted, but grubbed up in 1898.)
- First Modern Commercial Plantings: 1974 (Peel Estate)
Perth Hills GI
- State
- Zone
- Size
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Producers
- First Commercial Plantings
Perth Hills GI
- State: Western Australia
- Greater Perth Zone
- Total Hectares Under Vine: 250 ha (2012, Wine Australia)
Grapes
- Red Grapes (40%): Shiraz
- White Grapes (60%): Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Semillon
- Soil Types: gravelly loams with clay and ironstone
- Darling Range
- Key Producers: Western Range Wines
- First Commercial Plantings: 1880s
Swan District GI
- State
- Zone
- Subregions
- Size
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Producer
- First Planted
Swan District GI
- State: Western Australia
- Greater Perth Zone
- Subregions: Swan Valley GI (est. 2003)
- Total Hectares Under Vine: 31 ha (Wine Australia)
Grapes
- Red Grapes (46%): Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
- White Grapes (54%): Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Chardonnay
- Soil Types: alluvial soils
- Swan River, Darling Range, Indian Ocean
- Key Producers: Houghton Wines, Sandalford, John Kosovich Wines
- First Commercial Plantings: 1829/1830
Blackwood Valley GI
- State
- Zone
- Unofficial Subregions
- Size
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Producer
Blackwood Valley GI
- State: Western Australia
- South West Australia
- Unofficial Subregions: Boyup Brook, Bridgetown, Nannup
- Total Hectares Under Vine: 350 ha (2012, Wine Australia)
Grapes
- Red Grapes (59%): Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
- White Grapes (41%): Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay
- Soil Types: gravelly soils on divides, yellow soils and red earths on valley slopes
- Major Natural Features: Darling Plateau
- Key Producers: Blackwood Crest
Geographe GI
- State
- Zone
- Unofficial Subregions
- Towns
- Size
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Producers
Geographe GI
- State: Western Australia
- South West Australia Zone
- Unofficial Subregions: Ferguson Valley, Donnybrook, Capel-Busselton, Harvey
- Towns: Harvey, Bunbury, Busselton, Yarloop
- Total Hectares Under Vine: 1,030 ha (2012, Wine Australia)
Grapes
- Red Grapes (58%): Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz
- White Grapes (42%): Semillon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
- Soil Types: sandy soils in coastal areas, heavier gneiss and richer loam inland
- Geographe Bay/Indian Ocean (western border), Darling and Whicher Ranges
- Key Producers: Capel Vale, Willow Bridge Estate
- First Commercial Plantings: 1974 (Capel Vale)
Great Southern GI
- State
- Zone
- Subregions
- Size
- Grapes
- First Planted
Great Southern GI
- State: Western Australia
- Subregions:
— Denmark GI
— Albany GI
— Porongurup GI
— Frankland River GI
— Mount Barker GI
- Total Hectares Under Vine: 2,490 ha (2012, Wine Australia)
Grapes
- White Grapes (41%): Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon
- Red Grapes (59%): Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon
- Major Natural Features: Southern Ocean
- First Modern Commercial Plantings: 1965 (Pearse Vineyard at Forest Hill)
Manjimup GI
- State
- Zone
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Producers
Manjimup GI
- State: Western Australia
- South West Australia Zone
Grapes
- Red Grapes (28%): Pinot Noir, Merlot
- White Grapes (72%): Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay
- Soil Types: red gravelly loam
- Major Natural Features: Warren River Valley
- Key Producers: Peos Estate, Yanmah Ridge
- First Commercial Plantings: 1987 (Yanmah Ridge)
Margaret River GI
- State
- Zone
- Unofficial Subregions
- Towns
- Size
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Producers
- Degree Days
Margaret River GI
- State: Western Australia
- South West Australia
- Unofficial Subregions: Yallingup, Carbunup, Wilyabrup, Treeton, Wallcliffe, Karridale (proposed in 1999 by Dr. John Gladstones)
- Towns: Margaret River, Augusta, Dunsborough, Cowaramup
- Total Hectares Under Vine: 5017 ha (2012, Margaret River Wine Industry Association)
Grapes
- Red Grapes (41%): Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot
- White Grapes (59%): Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay
- Soil Types: gravel and sandy loam over granite and gneiss
Geographic Features - Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, a band of rolling hills running 90 km north-south from Cape Naturaliste to Augusta
- Indian Ocean to the west
- Southern Ocean to the south
- Geographe Bay to the north
- Key Producers: Leeuwin Estate, Cullen, Cape Mentelle, Vasse Felix, Moss Wood (collectively known as the “first five”
- )Degree Days (°C): 1690 (Region III)
Pemberton GI
- State
- Zone
- Size
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Key Producers
Pemberton GI
- State: Western Australia
- South West Australia
- Total Hectares Under Vine: 410 ha (2012, Wine Australia)
Grapes
- Red Grapes (32%): Pinot Noir, Shiraz
- White Grapes (68%): Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon
- gravelly loam (found on higher slopes), karri loam, a fertile red soil
- Major Natural Features: Warren and Donnelly Rivers
- Key Producers: Salitage
Albany GI
- State
- Zone
- GI
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Producers
Albany GI
- State: Western Australia (within Great Southern GI)
- South West Australia Zone
- Great Southern GI
Grapes
- Red Grapes: Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
- White Grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
- Soil Types: gravelly or granitic sandy loams
- Major Natural Features: Southern Ocean
- Key Producers: Montgomery’s Hill, Wignalls Wines, Two People’s Bay Wines
- First Commercial Plantings: 1975 (Redmond Vineyard - now part of Phillips Brook Estate)
Denmark GI
- State
- Zone
- GI
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Producers
Denmark GI
- State: Western Australia (within Great Southern GI)
Grapes
- Red Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Pinot Noir
- White Grapes: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling
- Soil Types: gravelly or granitic sandy loams
- Major Natural Features: Southern Ocean
- Key Producers: Singlefile Estate, Harewood Estate, Moombaki, Howard Park, Yilgarnia
Frankland River GI
- State
- Zone
- GI
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Producers
Frankland River GI
- State: Western Australia (within Great Southern GI)
- South West Australia Zone
- Great Southern GI
Grapes
- Red Grapes: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir
- White Grapes: Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon
- Soil Types: red soils derived from granite and gneiss
- Major Natural Features: Southern Ocean
- Key Producers: Alkoomi, Ferngrove Vineyards, Frankland Estate
- First Commercial Plantings: 1968 (Westfield - now Houghton’s Netley Brook Vineyard)
Mount Barker GI
- State
- Zone
- GI
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Producers
Mount Barker GI
- State: Western Australia (within Great Southern GI)
- South West Australia Zone
- Great Southern GI
Grapes
- Red Grapes: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
- White Grapes: Riesling, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
- Soil Types: poor marri soils, gravelly/sandy loam
- Plantagenet Plateau, Mount Barker Hill
- Key Producers: Forest Hill Vineyard, Plantagenet
- First Commercial Plantings: 1965 (Forest Hill Pearse Vineyard)
Porongurup GI
- State
- Zone
- GI
- Grapes
- Soil
- Geographic Features
- Producers
Porongurup GI
- State: Western Australia (within Great Southern GI)
- South West Australia GI
Grapes
- Red Grapes: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir
- White Grapes: Riesling, Chardonnay, Verdelho
- Soil Types: deep karri loam, derived from granite
- Major Natural Features: Porongurups Range
- Key Producers: Castle Rock Estate, Gibraltar Rock
- First Commercial Plantings: 1974 (Bolyanup Vineyard)
Who is this producer?
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Chardonnay, Margaret River
- Moderate, Mediterranean conditions allow the vines to grow under very little stress, on top of a gravelly soil profile. Fruit is hand picked, fermented in new French oak barriques and matured in the same barrel for 11 months. Bâttonage protects the wine and enhances texture, complexity and structure.
The Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay is a timeless representation of the Margaret River region. Tricia and Denis Horgan purchased the land in 1969 as a cattle farm, and under the advice of Napa Valley winemaker Robert Mondavi, who identified it as ideal for premium wine production, transformed it into Leeuwin Estate.
The unirrigated Block 20 Vineyard is planted with the Gin Gin clone and is Margaret River chardonnay’s mother vineyard. Now more than 40 years old, many cuttings from this vineyard were used to establish the region’s wineries, with the pristine fruit definition and winemaking philosophies of Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay inspiring other local producers to follow suit. The Gin Gin clone and Margaret River chardonnay are inseparably linked as a result of the Horgans’ vision.
Top Vintages
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1987.
Bottled under screwcap since the 2004 vintage.
Who is this producer?
Moss Wood
Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
- Predominantly comprising cabernet sauvignon (95%), a small portion of cabernet franc (4%) and petit verdot (1%) also make up the blend. Hand picked fruit is de-stemmed and open fermented, followed by maturation in new (14-30%) and seasoned French oak barrels for 24 months.
Established by Doctor Bill and Sandra Pannell in 1969, the inaugural release of the Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon was in 1973, where only 250 dozen bottles were produced. The wine has since become highly celebrated, largely due to its reputation for graceful ageing.
The unirrigated, dry-grown 15-hectare vineyard is located on north-east-facing, gently sloping sandy and gravelly red-brown loams over clay. Now owned by winemaker Keith Mugford and his wife Clare, the vineyard’s management is focused on sustainable farming practices and optimisation of fruit quality.
Top Vintages
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1990, 1987, 1973.
Who is this producer?
Cullen
Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot, Margaret River
- Grapes are harvested by hand at optimum tannin ripeness, flavour profile and acid balance. Partially barrel fermented, then matured in new (30–70% depending on vintage) and seasoned, tightly grained French oak. The wine constitutes majority cabernet sauvignon (93%), merlot (5%), and a tiny portion of malbec and petit verdot, with each varietal adding complexity.
Founders Diana and Kevin Cullen planted their first commercial vineyard at Wilyabrup in 1971, on the advice of Doctor John Gladstones, after first running sheep and cattle on their Margaret River property. Further plantings took place in 1976 and 1988. Today the mature 28-hectare dry grown vineyard represents a model of biodynamic and sustainable farming with the belief that individuality of site can be achieved through working with nature rather than against it. Winemaker Vanya Cullen believes this translates to a profound consistency in the quality, freshness and character of the fruit.
Top Vintages
2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994.
Bottled under screwcap since the 2001 vintage.
Vintages prior to 2001 catalogued as Cullen Cabernet Sauvignon.
Who is this prodoucer?
Woodlands
Family Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
- The exquisite estate-grown Woodlands Family Series Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced primarily from dry-grown 1973, 1974, 1976 and 1985 south-facing plantings at Wilyabrup. Named the Family Series because each vintage honours a family member or friend, the name changes on the wine label each release. Batch vinification occurs in stainless steel fermenters and small parcels of malbec optimise fruit complexity. Typically it shows cassis and red fruits, cedar aromas, fine-grained tannins and underlying savoury oak.
Top Vintages
2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 1992, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1979. Not made in 2000, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1991, 1989 and 1988.
Who is this producer?
Vasse Felix
Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec, Margaret River
- Sourced from the original vines planted in 1967 by Doctor Tom Cullity, the Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec represents a multi-generational journey of innovation based on trial and error. Based on Houghton clone cabernet sauvignon and malbec, refined vinification techniques and maturation for 18 months in French oak, this wine validates and continues the Heytesbury narrative. Vibrant blackcurrant and herb garden aromas, fine-grained tannins, sous-bois (forrest floor) notes, generous concentration and integrated new oak mark the style.
Top Vintages
2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2004, 2002, 1996, 1995.
Who is this producer?
Pierro
Chardonnay, Margaret River
- The superbly concentrated, complex and mineral Pierro Chardonnay epitomises the Margaret River genre with its extraordinary fragrance, suppleness, al dente texture and remarkable lasting aftertaste. Vinified in Burgundian fashion, barrel fermented in new (50%) and one-year-old French oak, and matured for around 12 months in the same barriques. It offers lemon curd, grapefruit, white peach and cashew nut aromas and flavours, lovely mid-palate richness and underlying new oak.
Top Vintages
2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002.
Who is this producer?
Leeuwin Estate
Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Margaret River
- Leeuwin Estate Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of the Houghton clone and a touch of malbec. Batch vinification is followed by maturation in new (50%) French oak and one-year-old “chateau” barrels for up to 24 months. In classic southern Margaret River style, this wine is typified by blackcurrant, cassis and tobacco leaf aromas, underlying savoury, new oak and muscular, fine tannin structures.
Top Vintage
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 1997, 1995, 1991.
Who is this producer?
Howard Park
Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon, Mount Barker and Margaret River
- The sustainably farmed Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet is a multi-vineyard, multi-regional blend, embracing the best of the Great Southern and Margaret River areas. Traditional techniques including open fermenters, basket pressing, and maturation in new (70%) and seasoned oak between 18 to 24 months lead to a distinctive house style typified by voluminous cassis, dark chocolate fruit, fine grained tannins and underlying savoury oak.
Top Vintages
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2004, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1996, 1994, 1992, 1987. Not made in 2006.
Who is this producer?
Houghton
Jack Mann Cabernet Sauvignon, Great Southern GI, Frankland River GI
- The earthy-scented Jack Mann Cabernet Blend predominantly derives from cabernet sauvignon vines planted in 1971. The vines are descendants of the mysterious Frenchman’s Block, a long-forgotten patch of Swan Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Small-batch vinification and maturation in new (50%) and one-year-old French oak barriques for 16 to 18 months typically leads to a wine with crushed blackcurrant, mulberry and herb garden aromas, voluminous richness and muscular but round tannins.
Top Vintages
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2007, 2004, 2001, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1994.
What is Australia hottest GI?
Swan Valley GI
What is diminishing vineyard area in Swan Valley GI?
Northern Suburbs of Perth
What was the first commercial wine produced in Margaret River GI?
1971 Dr. Tom Cullity’s Vasse Felix label produced the first commercial Margaret River wine—a Riesling
What are the subregions of Margaret River?
Who, when and how were they determined?
Yallingup, Carbunup, Wilyabrup, Treeton, Wallcliffe, Karridale - proposed in 1999 by Dr. John Gladstones
- in 1999, Dr. Gladstones proposed six unofficial subzones, cataloged not by soil profile but by the drainage direction for the region’s numerous rivers and creeks, which corresponded to the direction of air flow systems
- he coastal zones, from north to south, are Yallingup, Wilyabrup, Wallcliffe, and Karridale.
- Carbunup lies on the Geographe Bay east of Cape Naturaliste in Yallingup, and Treeton is an inland region, with the warmest summer daytime temperatures but also the greatest diurnal variation.
- The heart of the appellation is Wilyabrup
Who are the “first five” of Margaret River and where are they located?
Vasse Felix, Cullen, and Moss Wood - Wilyabrup
Leeuwin Estate and Cape Mentelle - Wallcliffe, a cooler subzone that follows the course of the Margaret River as it flows westward into the Indian Ocean
What river flows through Wallcliffe?
Margaret River
What river flows through Karridale?
What is this region known for?
Blackwood River
- home to some of the region’s best Sauvignon Blanc—crisp, cool, and often reflecting a pure snow pea character.
What are the soils in Wilyabrup and what grows best there?
Cabernet Sauvignon from the red gravelly loam soils of Wilyabrup is the star: in warm vintages they are ripe yet moderate in weight, with bright acidity, dark berry, savory bay leaf herbal flavors and red capsicum notes
What is best suited for Wallcliffe?
South of Wilyabrup, the cooler Wallcliffe often produces more austere and herbal Cabernet Sauvignon wines, but the sub-region excels with Chardonnay
What is the golden triangle?
The “Golden Triangle” within Wallcliffe
- coined by James Halliday, the Golden Triangle comprises Leeuwin Estate, Cape Mentelle, and Voyager Estate
- has been home to top Australian Chardonnay for two decades, and the entire region today delivers inspiring examples
What is the dominant Chardonnay clone in Western Australia?
What other clones are grown?
Gingin clone, a hen-and-chicken Chardonnay clone named after a town north of Perth, but better known as Mendoza elsewhere
- While some producers are moving to Bernard (Dijon) clones in Margaret River, Gingin provides the base for the region’s classic style of rich, phenolic wines framed with taut acidity, accented by flavors of peach and lime
Where does Great Southern GI fall on the Winkler Scale?
Region I and II
Who produced the first dry red from Great Southern GI?
Great Southern’s first red wine from Forest Hill Cabernet grapes in 1972
What are the 5 Sub GIs of Great Southern GI?
Mount Barker GI
Frankland River GI
Porongurup GI
Denmark GI
Albany GI
Decribe the climates of the subregions of Great Southern GI
- Climate in Albany and Denmark is strongly influenced by cool ocean breezes moving northward from the Antarctic, and diurnal temperature range is minimal. Both areas produce promising, if not totally evolved, examples of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- In the inland areas of Porongurup and Mount Barker the climate turns more continental, and Riesling and Shiraz are the most dominant varieties.
- Mount Barker, the Great Southern’s most established sub-region and its center of production, is home to the regional pioneers Forest Hill Vineyard and Plantagenet.
Who first planted Geographe and when?
Capel Vale, Geographe’s most important producer today, planted the region’s first vines in 1974
What is Geographe named after?
le Géographe, vessel of the French explorer Nicolas Baudin, who mapped its coastline in 1800
- also the name of the bay it sits in
What are the subregions of Geographe?
Donnybrook, Ferguson Valley, Harvey, and the Capel-Busselton
What are the subregions of Geographe?
Donnybrook, Ferguson Valley, Harvey, and the Capel-Busselton
What is most planted in Geographe?
The focus in Geographe has always been on red varieties, with Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon leading the pack, but Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc blends are gaining steam as their popularity inflates next door in Margaret River
What is most planted in Geographe?
The focus in Geographe has always been on red varieties, with Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon leading the pack, but Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc blends are gaining steam as their popularity inflates next door in Margaret River
Who is this producer?
Cape Mentelle Shiraz
Who is this producer?
Cape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon
Who is this producer?
Cape Mentelle Chardonnay
