Willyabrup, October 1985
This newly established vineyard is set in 65 acres of beautiful undulating bushland. Willyabrup Brook, runs through the property and forms the dam which provides irrigation to the vines. The first grapes were planted in 1980, the same year as the cellars were built. At present there are about 11 acres planted with Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Rhine Riesling, and Pinot Noir. The vines have been grown closer together than normal following an old European method. The amount of vines Pierro have planted would normally cover 25 acres. With this method the vines have to compete and this produces a finer flavoured fruit.
In March 1983 the vineyard had its first vintage, producing a spicy crisp Blanc de Blanc, a superb Chardonnay and a smooth rich Sauvignon Blanc. Pierro's third year of Spatlese Riesling was made from their own grapes and the 1983 Pinot Noir has just been released for cellar sales. From 1979 to 1983 Pierro wines were made from grapes grown in the Margaret River area, plus some from the Franklin River.
The cellars are made from rammed earth. The gravel and the soil come from the property and ten percent cement was added to the mix. The walls, which are 12 inches thick, together with the high slanted roof, provide a deliciously cool interior, even on the hottest summer days. Inside the local jarrah hardwood has been used to line the whole ceiling of the winery and in the tasting area the beautiful jarrah bar provides a warm contrast with local stone and the rammed earth walls.
Winemaker Dr. Michael Peterkin graduated in Medicine from the University of W.A. in 1972. He then attended Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1976 and 1977 and gained a degree in grape growing and wine making. Whilst establishing Pierro vineyards he acted as consultant winemaker to a number of premium wineries in the Margaret River and Lower Great Southern districts.
We would like to thank for visiting this vineyard and hope that you will come again when next in the Margaret River area. We hope very much that you have enjoyed our wines and that the tasting has given you the opportunity to sample some of the newest and finest wines from Western Australia's fasted growing premium wine producing area.
Cheers,
Michael Peterkin