LOCATION:

We are the first vineyard on the ocean side of Caves Road, when travelling south from Yallingup.

GRAPE VARIETIES AND SOIL TYPES:

Cabernet Sauvignon 2.5 hectares, Sauvignon Blanc 2 hectares, Semillon 1.3 hectares, Merlot 1.1 hectares and Shiraz 1.4 hectares. Each variety has been selected for specific paddocks, soil types and aspects.

• Sauvignon Blanc - Quartz gravel, alluvial and sandy loam over limestone
• Semillon – Alluvial flats
• Merlot - Sandy loam over limestone
• Cabernet Sauvignon - Quartz gravel, alluvial, sandy loams and non wettable soils
• Shiraz - Sandy loam over limestone

The property now known as Cape Naturaliste Vineyard started life as the coach inn for travellers journeying between Perth and Margaret River on horse and buggy, a history going back 140 years.  Some years later the property then became a dairy known as Thorn Hill. 

In 1970 the surrounding land was discovered to be rich in mineral sands.  A mining company purchased the land with the intention to mine the valley. Fortunately the government stepped in and declared it an A zone national park.

Cape Naturaliste Vineyard was planted in 1997 by the owner, Craig Brent-White, who purchased the land from the mineral sands company in 1980. Vines are a natural choice for this area and we wish to preserve the beauty of our valley with a bio-organic philosophy.

VITICULTURAL PROGRAM:

Pruning techniques, cropping levels, canopy treatment and restricted intrusion into the vineyard itself by vehicles/tractors are just some of the criteria implemented to ensure the best chance of this unique vineyard producing some of the finest fruit our area has to offer.

The undulating topography is one of the contributing assets regarding drainage.  Water from a natural spring fed soak, of rain water quality, helps ease the thirst in the early part of the season and post harvest. Water is used sparingly during the growing season; however some of our paddocks are dry grown due to the presence of under ground springs.

Cover crops of; oats, rye grass, clovers, canola and barley have been rotated over the years together with the broad acre spreading of compost with a ph of 7.  This ensures that the microbial balance of the soil is sustained. Cover crops are mulched back as bio-mass.

No diseases are present and weeds are controlled by cover crop shading and mowing. Netting and fruit trees are used as deterrents for birds during fruit ripening. 

All reds are hand picked, basket pressed and secondary ferment in barrel, aged for up to 24 months in French barriques. Red varieties are cropped around 5 ton / hectare

The Semillon grapes are hand picked and the Sauvignon Blanc is harvested by machine. White varieties are cropped between 8 – 10 ton / hectare.

The Sauvignon Blanc / Semillon blend has been a signature wine for us. We have always made a 50% blend on which we have built our name. Situated 1 km from the ocean these are two varieties that grow well in the northern micro climate.