The Frankland Wine Region of Western Australia

Ferngrove Winery

Ferngrove is a remarkable success story built on the vibrant dream of a prominent Western Australian south coast pioneering family. In 1996, with nearly 90 years of beef and dairy farming history behind his family, Ferngrove founder Murray Burton decided to move into premium grape growing. He mortgaged the family farm to purchase land at Frankland River, 360 kilometres south of Perth in Western Australia, where he knew the productive soils, pristine environment and temperate Mediterranean climate were ideal for viticulture. His commitment to quality paid off immediately. The vines thrived and more land was acquired just a few kilometres away, leading to the establishment of Ferngrove Vineyard in 1998.

In 1999, a winery was established at Ferngrove and the first commercial vintage was produced in 2000. In line with Ferngrove's commitment to quality, the modern tourism-oriented winery sets a high standard in design and technology in the region. The rammed-earth building, corrugated iron roof, wide verandas, extensive use of local timber and a lookout tower with sweeping views of the spectacular Stirling Ranges connects the winery to its farming history, and reinforces Ferngrove’s brand positioning of being authentic, modern, accessible and unique.

Ferngrove's commitment to quality continues to pay dividends. Ferngrove has established a reputation as a premium wine producer in the Frankland River region, and the winery is fast becoming recognised for its production of outstanding, cool climate wines from estate-grown fruit. A strong portfolio of brands has also enabled Ferngrove to become established in the key markets of Australia, UK/Europe, Asia and North America.

In its short but highly successful start to premium winemaking, Ferngrove has been awarded an impressive number of trophies and gold medals. In the 2004 National Wine Show Circuit, seven wines from two vintages received a total of 11 gold medals including the trophy for the Best Western Australian Dry Table Red Wine at the Royal Perth Wine Show. This success continued in 2005 with a total of 32 medals being won on the National Wine Show Circuit including 8 gold and the trophy for the best blended red at the Royal Hobart International Wine Show in Tasmania. Also in 2005, Ferngrove's Senior Winemaker Kim Horton was named Young Winemaker of the Year in the inaugural Australian Wine Selector’s Shining Lights awards, for his exceptional winemaking ability. Later in 2005, prominent Australian wine critic James Halliday awarded Ferngrove's winery 5 stars for the second consecutive year.

Ferngrove is well on its way to the fulfilment of its ultimate goal – to gain international status as one of Australia’s great wine producers.

Alkoomi Wines

Alkoomi Wines is the oldest producer in the cool climate Frankland River wine region of Western Australia. Alkoomi is renowned as a consistent producer of elegant, flavoursome wines of the highest standard.

Frankland Estate

Frankland Estate was established by Barrie Smith and Judi Cullam in 1988. The Isolation Ridge vineyard was developed on part of a 3000 acre property in the Frankland River region on which the family has run a wool growing enterprise since 1974. Today the family continue to have significant wool-growing interests and manages a flock of some 10,000 merinos. The decision to diversify their farming interests from wool into wine was inspired, in part, by a tour of French vineyards Barrie and Judi undertook in 1985. They returned to France in 1990 and 1993 to gain further experience in the industry by working vintages at Chateau Senejac in Bordeaux. As a result, winemaking philosophies at Frankland Estate have been considerably influenced by the approach used in Bordeaux.

A new winery was completed in time for the 1993 vintage allowing Frankland Estate to become totally self-sufficient in all aspects of wine production. Commencing with the 2003 vintage, Frankland Estate began to purchase grapes from surrounding vineyards in the Frankland River region. This allowed the introduction of the Rocky Gully range of wines to complement the Isolation Ridge Vineyard wines that continue to be exclusively estate grown wines.