Sourced from Swinney’s Margaret River vineyard on the banks of Wilyabrup Brook, just three kilometres inland from the Indian Ocean, this Chardonnay comes from mature Gin Gin clone vines planted in 1984. The original planting material was sourced from Leeuwin Estate, with the vines established on deep, gravelly loam soils at a density of 2,800 vines per hectare. McGregor’s Cottage, built in 1881, still stands at the entrance to the property. Meticulous farming, including repeated shoot- and bunch-thinning passes, kept yields below two tonnes per hectare and ensured only pristine fruit was harvested.
The 2025 season brought another warm, dry harvest following a mild winter. Moderate vigour and balanced vine health saw picking begin one to two weeks earlier than average, producing intensely flavoured fruit with excellent natural balance. Chardonnay was harvested in ideal ripening conditions, with outstanding quality potential reported by the producer.
The hand-picked fruit was chilled and whole-bunch pressed directly into French oak barriques, 25% new, for spontaneous fermentation. The wine then rested on its lees and underwent 25% malolactic fermentation before racking and bottling. Made with the minimum effective addition of sulphites and minimally filtered, it is 100% Chardonnay, bottled under screwcap at 13% alcohol.