Outside of France, Australia has become the biggest producer of Shiraz as it is grown in almost all regions across the country. In particular the Barossa Valley Shiraz, from which Australian Shiraz has become most famous is a big muscular, high tannin, high alcohol...
The white grapes Semillon and Sauvignon blanc have a long history together. The marriage of these varieties originated in Bordeaux, France, but over the past 30-odd years it’s become a staple of Australian white wine. Margaret River in southern WA is a local...
Capel Vale’s Stirling Vineyard was planted by Peter Pratten in 1974. He planted a mixed salad of varieties. There wasn’t a blue print as to what grapes would grow best in the region. Today we have mature plantings of Merlot, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Malbec. Malbec has...
The Whispering Hill Vineyard in Mount Barker is heaven for Riesling grapes and over looks the Porongurup Mount Ranges to the north east. This region is an ancient archaeological place. The Porongurup’s don’t have any foot hills and are largely eroded. The very old...
Dr Peter Pratten, Capel Vale’s founder is a Pioneer of south west Western Australia multi regional viticulture and wine making, planting vineyards in Geographe, Mount Barker and Margaret River. Margaret River is a young region in the context of wine growing regions...
