| Region of production: | Western Australia |
| Winery Location: | Margaret River |
| Year Established: | 1970 |
Vineyard Holdings
150 ha
- Wallcliffe Vineyard: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel, and Shiraz.
- Trinders Vineyard: 56 acres purchased in 1988, planted to Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Shiraz.
- Chapman Brook Vineyard: 98 acres planted in early nineties to Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, and Viognier.
Top Wines Produced
- Shiraz
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Chardonnay
Average Total Production
- 1,260,000 bottles
Summary
Cape Mentelle was one of the first wineries established in Margaret River. The Hohnen brothers, beginning with 40 acres, founded the winery in 1970. The winery is known to many as one of Australia’s leading Cabernet Sauvignon producers, along with their Shiraz and Zinfandel. David Hohnen studied at California’s Fresno State University and became entranced with the state’s popular Zinfandel variety. His 1974 Zinfandel plantings were the first commercial plantings in all of Western Australia. The winery and its well-known sister winery, New Zealand’s Cloudy Bay, are now part of the LVMH Group.
Style & Vinification Techniques
Red wines are destemmed, berry sorted, and cold soaked before fermentation in stainless steel tanks. After gentle basket pressing, wines are aged in a combination of French and American oak, averaging 50% new each year.
Producer Website: Cape Mentelle