Perth indeed is a wonderful state that I miss to visit long time ago when I was in Australia. Till recently, took the opportunity to visit a few my friends there whom one of them currently own one of a famous Malaysian cuisine that recently made a big hit in the neighborhood known as Lepak Kopitiam. My Perth adventure will not be complete if I do not visit one of their state best area which is to drive 3 hours down south from Perth City to this well known town Margaret River which house tons of vine yards, olive yards, chocolate yard and beer boutique yard and of course to take the opportunity to visit one of my favourite wine yard – Cape Mentelle.
On the sunny winter day, slowly driving thru huge tall tress along the road and saw a small sign Cape Mentelle that make me excited. Upon turning in, you are greeted with this path with both vine tress that sit in between, just head straight about 300 meters into the visitor area.
Upon parking, for instant moment, it gives me an impression I am visiting a national park, with its lush greens sits in front before the office.
Every vineyard to have their tour and it cost about AUD 80 for 2 hours session including wine tasting. You have to book it thru their website or send an email to them as the slots are pretty limited.
By opening the office door, you will be greeted with a rack of Cape Mentelle signature wines and there are a few that only available in this vineyard, not even the regions of Australia.
Warm and lovely heating area during winter.
Right behind the registration area, there is another art cellar that house nice paintings on the wall with barrels in between and sits a tall bar table that house only private tasting for special arrangement.
Cape Mentelle is also known as one of the most successful wine brand in the region and also one of a few Australian brands that made it top world wide.
Some of the info for you if you need any tour or degustation tasting.
During winter, its a crazy weather that they have year, as the vineyard sits one of the most prominent soil in Margaret River with its height and landscaping condition that enable the produce grapes enjoy a fantastic weather with strong sea breeze all the way from Indian Ocean.
A bit of history on Cape Mentelle as David Hohnen and his brothers Mark and Giles established Cape Mentelle Vineyards in 1970 whom made them the first 2-3 families in the region to start off with. Starting off with only 16 hectares of vines planted on what is now referred to as the ‘Wallcliffe Vineyard.
Then made their first flagship Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced primarily from the original Wallcliffe Vineyard. Not long after that, the vineyard won their first awards in 1983. Since then they are getting well known for their strong bold character of wine and won them several more down the years. (read more here)
Till date, they now own around 200-250 hectares of vineyard around the area. Imagine that, the growth of this brand and also being acquired by LVMH Group.
Then was told in this area, its their best well known during summer as they have wine pairing with famous chef around the world, a huge cinema screen with bean bags and their winds on your hand sipping thru, chatting with your friends and enjoying some bbq food is just perfect place you would want to be. Summer is coming, they do have tons of line up for you to run thru and its constantly book out! do make your reservations early. Check them out here: Cape Mentelle Movies
After on the plantation side, then we move to their processing part where winter there are not much movement, as the best time to visit the vineyard is during Summer or Autumm where the process and harvest is.
After process wine, they are being stored in this huge warehouse for a few months.
There is this wine expert that do test it randomly on each barrel to ensure it is being process and aged according to their quality and taste.
This is new, where they have move to a bigger production. . .
The last stage is here where the final tasting and sits a few more weeks before heading into bottling.
This is the best part of all when it comes to Cape Mentelle wine tasting. Its the whole list that I am tasting that comes to about 12 different types. Only 4-6 bottles are being ship out world wide and another 2-3 bottles around the region and another 2 more is exclusive only in the vineyard.
I am not a Rose drinker but this bottle of Cape Mentelle 2015 – Rose turn the whole twist around. Its so easy to drink, pack with mild floral flavor and girls would love it. I thought of buying 6 bottles back as they do ship it out to your respective country too. I was then advise that its a bit hard to ship into Malaysia for its complex and complicated kastam clearance. (that’s so disappointing)
Next one of their best seller is Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2014 which seems have better quality grapes and flavour and texture came out that suits many peoples palate.
In the end, at this vineyard I bought 6 bottles, 2 to drink at home, 2 to brought back to Malaysia and 2 for my friend. My personal 2 favorite which is their exclusive bottles which is only available at their vineyard only are Rose & Cape Mentelle – Wilyabrup 2012 – only left limited quantity (only if you love dry wine, strong body, smooth).
Its sad that in this trip I could not meet Cameron Murphy himself whom he is the one that introduce this brand to us during a wine paring lunch as on during that time, as he is on tour at Malaysia. Thanks to Manon for arranging everything for me .
Its a vineyard that you would not want to miss to visit if you are heading there.
Summer is coming and its going to be fun at the vineyard that going to pack with Cape Mentelle – for the International Cabernet Tasting (21st November) or for the Movies at Cape Mentelle (15th December 2015 until 3rd April 2016).
For more info, contact them at : http://www.capementelle.com.au/
