The Wilyabrup Valley is a place with a history of being “different”, recognised well before wine. The combination of laterite topsoil and gravel subsoil, the mix of the Southern Ocean with the Indian, and the watercourses that have given the land its slopes, all make a place with its own voice.
Fine wine is a subtle thing. Often the difference between one terroir and another is that “from time to time it rains there, but it doesn’t rain here”, or “a warm wind comes through the valley here, but not there”. It all adds up, if you’re paying attention, and if you can capture it.
We’ve always believed in Wilyabrup. Woodlands wines will only ever come from 100% Wilyabrup Valley fruit – not for any perception of quality, it is simply who we are. This is where we’re from, and that’s why Wilyabrup Valley is front and center on the label. We hope our Wilyabrup Valley series can take you here, to our little valley.
The Wilyabrup Valley is a series of gentle slopes found alongside tributaries to the Wilyabrup Brook. Vines prosper on the Wilyabrup soils.
The gravel subsoil ensures good drainage, while the high clay content enables good water retention throughout summer.
The weather in the Wilyabrup Valley is characterised by high winter rainfall and long dry summers. The Indian Ocean surrounds the region to the north and west, providing a moderating effect on the temperature.
The Wilyabrup Valley is a series of gentle slopes found alongside tributaries to the Wilyabrup Brook. Vines prosper on the Wilyabrup soils.
The gravel subsoil ensures good drainage, while the high clay content enables good water retention throughout summer.
The weather in the Wilyabrup Valley is characterised by high winter rainfall and long dry summers. The Indian Ocean surrounds the region to the north and west, providing a moderating effect on the temperature.
Chardonnay
Fruit solely from the Wilyabrup Valley
The 2018 growing season was a viticulturists dream. Near-perfect conditions persisted throughout the region from mid-December all the way through to the end of harvest. The resultant fruit produced wines of exceptional flavour, and robust acidity.
Chardonnay
The Winemaking Process
Once harvested, the fruit is hand sorted and whole bunch pressed. This process is very gentle and enhances clarity of the fruit and finesse to the finished wine. After being pressed, settled, and racked, the wine was fermented in French barrels without any additions. Following fermentation, some batches were transferred out of barrel to stainless steel for freshness, whilst the majority of the wine remained in barrel. After 8 months the two portions were then blended together before filtration and bottling.
Chardonnay
Tasting Note
Translucent and pale gold in colour. A seamless wine where fruit and minerality mingle in unity. Honey dew, white nectarine and nashi pear are interlaced with high-tone notes of yuzu and lime rind. Jasmine and honeyed wildflowers lift the tempo, whilst complex hints of creamy lees and roasted nuts compete the scene.
Chardonnay
Food Pairing
Ample with texture and length, this wine sings with purity- of the valley and the terroir from which it is grown.
Our 2018 Chardonnay would pair beautifully with a mild Sri Lankan Seafood Curry or a Cured King Fish Ceviche.
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Fruit solely from the Wilyabrup Valley
2017 presented some unusual weather patterns throughout the region. With very wet conditions leading into winter. We experienced the coldest September – October on record, the coldest in 11 years, which delayed the start of the growing season. Our summer was a very mild one that year, with La Nina conditions keeping the temperatures low and avoiding any extremes of heat. This resulted in a longer flowering and growing period across the region, around 2-3 weeks later than normal. This was more in line with the historical phenology of the region. We experienced some heavy rains mid-February through to March; however our non- irrigated vines were able to flourish and with our timely and fastidious vineyard practices, we were able to produce fruit of exceptional quality despite what nature presented us with.
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
A Bordeaux Blend
Our 2017 Wilyabrup Valley blend is comprised of 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Merlot, 6% Malbec, 2% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc, and has matured in French oak for 14 months.
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Tasting Note
Bright and brambly- forged with an array of Jaffa, stewed plums and dark fruits. The palate is defined by a bouquet garni of savoury acidity, embracing the wine. Graphite and dusty cacao tannins speak of the land, finishing with a silky defined edge.
Cabernet Franc Merlot
Fruit solely from the Wilyabrup Valley
2017 presented some unusual weather patterns throughout the region. With very wet conditions leading into winter, and Spring being bitterly cold. Our summer was a very mild one this year, with La Nina conditions keeping the temperatures low and avoiding any extremes of heat. This resulted in a longer flowering and growing period across the region, around 2-3 weeks later than normal. This was more in line with the historical phenology of the region. We experienced some heavy rains mid-February through to March; however our non- irrigated vines were able to flourish and with our timely and fastidious vineyard practices, we were able to produce fruit of exceptional quality despite what nature presented us with.
Cabernet Franc Merlot
The Winemaking Process
Like all red wines at Woodlands, this wine was destemmed and sorted by our gravity fed system. Once harvested and in the winery, the fruit was gently destemmed, then passed over a vibrating sorting table, before making its way to small stainless-steel fermenters. Following fermentation this wine was matured in French oak barrels for 14 months.
Cabernet Franc Merlot
Tasting Note
Our 2017 Cabernet Franc Merlot is a blend of 51% Cabernet Franc and 49% Merlot and is a deep and intense crimson in colour.
The nose sits pretty, with a woven braid of satsuma plums, crushed violet, and an array of oriental spices; cloves, Szechuan pepper, cinnamon and ginger. Underneath, the refreshing scents of rainforest and yellow cedar elicit a walk through aromatic timbers.
The palate is medium bodied, with the spirited acidity of Cabernet Franc combining with a playful pop of red fruits. Lattice-like tannins provide an energetic structure to this wine, finishing with the toasted spices of aniseed and cherry.
Cabernet Franc Merlot
Food Pairing
While it appears to be an easy drinking red, do not be fooled! This wine has some intelligence and depth, and will be best enjoyed from 2018 to 2023.
Try with;
Chinese five spiced squid
Crispy Skinned Ocean Trout with a spicy Quinoa salad
Chicken and Green olive Moroccan Tagine
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Fruit solely from the Wilyabrup Valley
2016 is in our opinion a stellar vintage, and certainly one that will reward extended cellaring. Winter rainfall was lower than average, October was warm and dry, and flowering was short. A heavy deluge of rain in mid January was appreciated, and dry mild conditions continued through an extended ripening period. Although we (as always) sorted the fruit berry by berry after harvest, all the reds came in clean and vibrant, with excellent natural acidity.
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
A Bordeaux Blend
Our 2016 Wilyabrup Valley blend comprises 46% Cabernet Sauvignon, 41% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 1.5% Petit Verdot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc, and has matured in French oak for 14 months.
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
Tasting Note
In the glass the wine displays a vibrant garnet. The nose opens to display bright varietal characters of blackcurrant, combined with subtle lifted aromatics of strawberries and the floral scent of rose. Deeper layers then emerge bringing black tea, aniseed, maple and cocoa. At the heart of the nose lies the beauty of fresh clay, capturing the essence of the earth itself. The palette has the zing of raspberry and some spiciness of black pepper and gentle oak.
This is a youthful and lively wine, balanced with fine tannins to create an excellent structure and a savoury finish. To appreciate this wine fully, we suggest opening one hour before drinking. To be enjoyed most between 2020-2026.