Cullen Wines

Cullen Wines traces its origins to trial vines planted in 1966 by Dr. Kevin Cullen and his wife Diana in the Wilyabrup subregion of Margaret River, roughly three miles from the Indian Ocean. The estate was formally established in 1971, initially operating under the name Wilyabrup Wines before adopting the family name. The original plantings focused on Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, and Gewürztraminer. The Mangan Vineyard was added in 1995, expanding the estate's holdings. Vanya Cullen, the founders' daughter, assumed winemaking responsibilities in 1989 and became Managing Director in 1999, continuing a family connection to wine that dates back to the 1880s.

• Trial vines planted 1966; estate formally established 1971
• Originally branded as Wilyabrup Wines before renaming
• Mangan Vineyard added 1995, bringing total to 45 hectares
• First winery in Wilyabrup to pair wines with food (1976)

Cullen Wines converted to organic farming in 1998, then progressed to full biodynamic certification for the vineyard in 2004 and the winery in 2008, achieving an A Grade Biodynamic Certified status. The biodynamic philosophy at Cullen incorporates lunar-cycle harvesting and active biodiversity enhancement across the estate. Vanya Cullen began sustainability initiatives in 2006, and in 2019 the estate received Carbon Positive and Carbon Neutral certification, making it the first Australian winery to reach this milestone.

• Organic certification achieved 1998
• Biodynamic vineyard certified 2004; winery certified 2008
• Carbon Neutral certification achieved 2019 after initiatives begun 2006
• Biodynamic practices include lunar-cycle harvesting and biodiversity programs

The estate's 45 hectares of operating vineyards sit in the Wilyabrup subregion, comprising 28 hectares at the Cullen Vineyard and 21 hectares at the Mangan Vineyard. Soils are dominated by granite and gravelly sandy loam overlaying lateritic subsoils, classified as Forest Grove soils with gravelly granite topsoil. The climate is a mild Mediterranean style with strong maritime influence from both the Indian and Southern Oceans. Annual rainfall exceeds 1,000 mm, falling predominantly in winter, while warm, sun-filled growing-season days are moderated by ocean breezes and a low diurnal temperature range.

• Soils: granite and gravelly sandy loam over lateritic subsoils
• Mediterranean climate with 1,000+ mm annual rainfall, mostly in winter
• Maritime cooling from Indian and Southern Oceans moderates summer heat
• Located three miles from the Indian Ocean in Wilyabrup subregion

Cullen produces a broad range of varieties including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Chenin Blanc. The house style emphasizes long-lived, elegant expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay alongside Bordeaux-style blends. Winemaking is minimal-intervention, relying on wild yeasts and natural fermentation. The flagship Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot holds Langton's 'Exceptional' classification, the highest tier in Australia's most respected secondary-market classification system. The Kevin John Chardonnay was awarded World's Best Chardonnay at the 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards.

• Diana Madeline Cabernet Merlot: Langton's 'Exceptional' classification (2005, 2010)
• Kevin John Chardonnay: World's Best Chardonnay, Decanter World Wine Awards 2010
• Winemaking uses wild yeasts and natural fermentation throughout
• Style targets elegance and longevity across Cabernet and Chardonnay programs

Vanya Cullen has become one of Australia's most decorated winemakers. She was named Australian Winemaker of the Year in 2000 and became the first Australian to receive the Woman of the Year award from The Drinks Business in 2008. In 2023 she was awarded the Order of Australia, one of the country's highest civilian honors. Her leadership transformed Cullen Wines from a respected regional producer into an internationally recognized benchmark estate in Margaret River.

• Australian Winemaker of the Year 2000
• Woman of the Year, The Drinks Business 2008 (first Australian recipient)
• Order of Australia awarded 2023
• Chief Winemaker since 1989; Managing Director since 1999