Woodlands Wines

Founder David Watson had spectacular success with the Cabernets he made in 1979 and the early 80s. Commuting from Perth on weekends and holidays, as well as raising a family, became all too much, and for some years the grapes from Woodlands were sold to other Margaret River producers. With the advent of sons Stuart and Andrew (Stuart primarily responsible for winemaking), the estate has bounced back to pre-eminence. The wines come in four price bands, the bulk of the production under the Chardonnay and Cabernet Merlot varietals, then a series of Reserve and Special Reserves, then Reserve de la Cave, and finally Cabernet Sauvignon. The top-end wines primarily come from the original Woodlands Vineyard, where the vines are over 40 years old. JAMES HALLIDAY