Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay, Margaret River

Description

Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay is an Australian wine icon, the flagship white wine from this pioneering Margaret River wine estate. It is widely recognised as one of Western Australia’s finest Chardonnays.

Vasse Felix, Founded by Dr Tom Cullity

Vasse Felix was founded in 1967 in Wilyabrup by Dr Tom Cullity. It was the very first winery to be established in the Margaret River wine-growing region of Western Australia. The winery is considered a true pioneer of the region. Dr Cullity had searched widely for his first vineyard site and eventually selected 8 acres in Wilyabrup before planting Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, and Riesling in 1967, the oldest vines in Margaret River.

Acquisition by the Holmes à Court Family

In 1984, the Gregg family acquired Vasse Felix, before the Holmes à Court family took ownership in 1987. The Holmes à Court family embarked on an ambitious expansion, acquiring additional vineyards while staying true to founder Dr. Thomas Cullity’s vision of crafting “the best possible wine.”

Today, Paul Holmes à Court, the second generation of his family to lead Vasse Felix, oversees the estate. He assumed management in 2005 and became the sole owner of Vasse Felix and its parent company, The Heytesbury Group, in 2008.

Vasse Felix produces a diverse portfolio, ranging from the approachable Premier, Filius, and Classic tiers to its prestigious Icon wines, including the acclaimed Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon / Malbec and the Heytesbury Chardonnay.

Winemaker of the Year

Virginia Willcock has been the winemaker since 2006 and has twice been nominated for the Australian Gourmet Traveller ‘Winemaker of the Year’. She was awarded the trophy for ‘Winemaker of the Most Outstanding Red or White Wine in Show’ at the 2011 Royal Adelaide Wine Show.

Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay Winemaking

• Sourced from the estate’s most distinctive small vineyard sections, where clone, aspect, and soil combine to create exceptional varietal and wild yeast characters
• Hand-harvested grapes, chilled, whole-bunch pressed
• Unclarified juice was transferred directly to the barrel
• Fermented using 100% indigenous yeasts from the vineyard
• Aged for 8 months in French Oak Barriques (56% new, 44% 1-4 years old), 7 months blended in tank
• Some battonage during maturation
• 100% Chardonnay, Gingin clone
• Vegetarian and vegan friendly