Traditionally a sheep grazing property, the passion for growing fine wool, ultimately lead to the desire to produce fine wine.
Our small vineyard (2.5ha) is planted with 16,000 vines including the traditional Bordeaux varieties of Cabernet Sauvignon, small parcels of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petite Verdot plus Riesling. This high density planting is designed to produce low yields of exceptional quality. Only 350 cases of Cabernet Sauvignon and 250 cases of Riesling are made each year.
From fertilisers through to pest control, organic principles are embraced and applied which results in both healthy vines and soil, ensuring we keep the growing process as natural as possible. This in turns helps to reduce vigour and maintains a balanced micro-ecosystem in the vineyard, exposing the true ‘terroir!
Like many small unique vineyards it is a family affair with all 16,000 vines being hand propagated & planted by the Edginton & Sinclair families. The vines continue to be hand tendered throughout the season from pruning right through to harvest. Attention to detail is of utmost importance and hand picking the grapes ensures quality fruit produces quality wine.
Established in 1998, the vineyard is positioned on a north east facing slope above the 1860’s homestead overlooking the Swan River. This site was chosen for its good cold air drainage down to the river, thus reducing the risk of frost but exposing the vines to maximum sunlight hours, essential for the long slow ripening of cool climate wines. The soil at The Bend is a mixture ironstone and red clay loam which exists over most of the site with the bottom section, planted to Merlot, a black clay loam. Vine rows running north to south allow full sun exposure, ensuring ripe full flavoured fruit.
