Cullen Winery- Wilyabrup

Cullen Wines had been recommend by the chap at Vasse Felix because of our interest in Organic Wines.

Cullen wines is a premier biodynamic and organic winery in Margaret River.
An award-winning wines crafted with sustainability and passion, from vineyard to bottle.
Put simply, biodynamic viticulture is a philosophy combining the maintenance of sustainable soil fertility and the recognition of the link between plant growth and the rhythms of the cosmos. It is a method of farming that treats the vineyard as a living system, which interacts with the environment to build a healthy living soil that helps to nourish the vines and general environment.

Cullen Wines has five separate biodynamic kitchen gardens specifically for use in their Biodynamic Carbon Neutral Wine Room, These gardens house the produce used in their 4-course set menu.

When you first see the wine labels there extremely striking , each one different and very earthy, the names also well done eg dancing in the moonlight, ephrin, apparently it’s a family friend who designs the labels.

Counter tasting was a great introduction to Cullen with a selection of up to five of their certified biodynamic wines, at $15 per guest, redeemable with purchase.

We made our way through the menu to come away with a bottle of 2023 Ephraim with the intention to cellar it for many years.

Ephraim Mayo Clarke, Kevin John Cullen’s grandfather, property owner and Member of Parliament, who established the first winery in the southwest in Bunbury in 1896. Hand harvested grapes of the best blocks of biodynamically certified Mangan Vineyard Malbec and Petit Verdot were naturally fermented and basket pressed and then matured in 35% new oak for 8 months.

The resultant blend is 70% Malbec and 30% Petit Verdot. A naturally fermented wine with no additions other than minimal sulphur dioxide to catch the terroir of Mangan vineyard in Wilyabrup. The 2023 vintage was excellent especially for red and colour and this wine is no exception. No fining.

VINEYARD - 100% MANGAN VINEYARD
VARIETIES - 70% MALBEC, 30% PETIT VERDOT
HARVEST - 23RD MARCH – NEW MOON SUPER MOON FLOWER DAY, AND 30TH MARCH – FLOWER DAY OAK
13.5% ALCOHOL

Vintage Notes
Vintage 2023 was a low yielding vintage which resulted in some stunning grapes and hence quality wine. In particular Cabernet Sauvignon exhibited the best typically of varietal manifestation. The 52 year old vines consistently yield well year on year out.

The growing conditions until December were cold and wet and due to the negative Indian dipole and La Niña effects finishing in December 2022 we had an unprecedented dry spell from December until the end of harvest.

Small berry size particularly in white grape varieties produced beautifully balanced wines; Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet and Malbec all outstanding.
8 MONTHS IN 35% NEW OAK

Tasting Notes
COLOUR - Vibrant ruby, Garnet purple.. dense and concentrated
CELLAR - Enjoy now or for up to 20 years
BOUQUET - Dense flavours of berry, cherry, salty plum, violets
FOOD - Lamb, venison, chicken
PALATE - Cherry, mulberry, salty plum, sage, thyme… This wine has rich fruit concentration. Delicious on the first encounter, finishing with a vibrant chocolate berry lift.

About Cullen Wines -
Cullen Wines sits upon the ancient soils of Wilyabrup, the place of red ochre, the “sweet spot” of the Margaret River wine growing region.

Dr Kevin John Cullen and Diana Madeline Cullen were ready to plant lupins in 1965 when a good friend Dr John Gladstones advised against it. He’d just completed a study on wine growing and knew the Cullens had the land to make the best quality wines.

Dr Gladstones described Wilyabrup as being the sweet spot of the Margaret River region, most favorable for growing Cabernet Sauvignon. It benefits from cold winds from the south and warm winds from the north. Gladstones’ now-famous 1966 report compared our climate to that of Bordeaux, and many regard him as the founder of Margaret River’s wine region.

Kevin John Cullen called the first grape growers meeting in Busselton and initiated trials with the Minchins, Sue and Geoff Juniper and other families involved.

Cullen planted vines in 1971, and our two Wilyabrup vineyards are certified biodynamic and carbon negative.

Wilybrup is a region in its own right, with distinct flavours and climate, and in 1999 Cullen and Moss Wood held the first sub regional tasting to celebrate the history and future of the Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay grown here.Læs mere