Woodlands Wines

The somewhat cooler 2021 season allowed an extended harvest. For 2021 Wilyabrup Valley Chardonnay, ferments proceeded without additions, with some malolactic fermentation occurring though not promoted.

Woodlands Cabernet Sauvignon is produced from our original vines on our south facing slope. Each year we name it after a family member of family friend. For 2015 we have named our Cabernet ‘Russell’ after Russell Cook. Famous not just for his winemaking but also for his Ironman pedigree, Russell has been a tireless supporter and an enormous help for our family for over 20 years. This wine is a powerhouse, and a great standard bearer for the 2015 vintage. It’s dense without being sweet, and complex while remaining fresh. Best enjoyed from 2025 to 2030.

Woodlands have produced this Cabernet Franc Merlot blend since 2008. Cabernet Franc is often disobedient in our Cabernet Sauvignon blends, tending to thin out the palate. However, when blended with Merlot, the variety really comes into its own. Each year we produce around 20 barrels of this blend, sourced entirely from the Wilyabrup Valley.

This is a great wine, and a stunning example of the potential of our close planted Chardonnay plot at Woodlands Brook.

Clémentine’ is our Woodlands Brook Vineyard Cabernet blend. Produced since 2015, the wine takes its name from Andrew and Marie’s daughter; and much like that lovely little girl we love and are getting to know, over time we’re learning more about this site.

Each year the Woodlands Cabernet Sauvignon is named after a family member or friend. The 2017 vintage is named ‘Chloe Anne’ after Stuart and Shelley’s eldest daughter. Chloe was born in 1999, and at the time she became the inspiration for our Woodlands Vineyard Chardonnay. However, with no Cabernet Sauvignon to her name, we feel that the 2017 vintage is an excellent opportunity to right this wrong, and to mark Chloe’s 18th birthday!

Woodlands ‘Margaret’ is sourced entirely from the Woodlands Vineyard. The Cabernet Sauvignon portion comes from a slope on the south of Woodlands that wraps around a 90-degree radius from east to north. The fruit on this slope receives a great deal of direct sunlight from morning to mid-afternoon, leading to rich full-bodied wines.

Each year the Woodlands Cabernet Sauvignon is named after a family member or friend. The 2018 vintage is named ‘Xavier’ after Andrew and Marie’s son. Born just at the tail end of vintage in May 2018, Xavier has grown to be a charming young man who is currently into dinosaurs, tractors… and Spider-Man! Xavier particularly enjoys eating strawberries, blueberries and raspberries, and in being completely full of fruit he has that in common with this wine.

‘Emily’ is produced from the 5 Bordeaux grapes on our Woodlands Brook Vineyard – Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot. This wine is made in very limited quantities, an average of 300 cases being produced each year.

Each year our Cabernet Sauvignon is named after a family member or friend. 2016 marked the birth of Andrew and Marie’s daughter Clémentine Eloise Watson. “Birth” year wines are always very special for us – our 2016 vintage joins the rare club of 1978, 1981, 1983, 2002, 2012 and 2014.

Our Wilyabrup Valley wines are sourced from a combination of our estate vineyards and other vineyards within the Wilyabrup Valley. This wine was harvested between 27th March and 23rd April, an extended harvest that enabled us to pick each parcel at optimal ripeness. Once in the winery, the fruit was hand sorted berry-by-berry, crushed and then transferred to tank. 30% of this wine fermented without yeast, which we feel enhanced the aroma and overall balance. Following fermentation, the wine was transferred to French barrels where it spent 14 months. 15% of the oak barrels were new. 2019 Wilyabrup Valley blend is 64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec, and 2% Cabernet Franc. Intense crimson in colour, the nose is flush with rose petals, crunchy red cherries, mulberry and toasty oak notes. The pallet is silky smooth, with supple tannins aligning the red fruits, blackberry and liquorice. Absolutely charming, its approachability should not fool you - this wine will definitely benefit from extended cellaring! Match this wine with beef bourguignon or beef sausages and mash. For vegetarian option try butternut squash ravioli in marsala cream sauce.