Vasse Felix
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Margaret River's founding estate, established in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity, setting the benchmark for Australian Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Vasse Felix is Margaret River's founding wine estate, established in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity as the region's first vineyard and winery. The Holmes à Court family has owned the estate since 1987, with Virginia Willcock leading winemaking since 2006. Original 1967 vines remain the oldest in Margaret River.
- Founded in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity as Margaret River's first vineyard and winery
- Original 1967 vine plantings remain the oldest in the Margaret River region
- Four vineyard sites: Wilyabrup (Home Vineyard), Gnarawary, Karridale, and Wallcliffe
- Total estate covers 140 hectares with elevations of 80-110 m at the Home Vineyard
- Heytesbury Chardonnay 2010 won 11 trophies, among the most awarded wines in Australian history
- Named New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast in 2018
- Certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
History and Founding
Dr Tom Cullity established Vasse Felix in 1967, planting the first commercial vineyard in what would become one of Australia's most celebrated wine regions. The first vintage in 1971 proved difficult, with bunch rot and bird damage challenging production. By 1972, the estate found its footing, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling earning gold medals. The Holmes à Court family acquired Vasse Felix in 1987, with Paul Holmes à Court serving as current owner and CEO. Virginia Willcock has been Chief Winemaker since 2006, guiding the estate's quality-led approach.
- 1967: Dr Tom Cullity plants Margaret River's first commercial vines
- 1971: First vintage, hampered by bunch rot and bird damage
- 1972: First successful wines; Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling win gold medals
- 1987: Holmes à Court family acquires the estate
Vineyards and Terroir
Vasse Felix farms 140 hectares across four sites in Margaret River: the Wilyabrup Home Vineyard, Gnarawary, Karridale, and Wallcliffe. The Home Vineyard at Wilyabrup sits at 80 to 110 metres elevation on gravelly loam over clay, with lateritic gravel and ironstone laterite subsoils. Margaret River's Mediterranean climate brings mild wet winters and warm dry summers, moderated by cool maritime breezes from both the Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean. These conditions produce the restrained, structured wines for which the estate is known.
- Gravelly loam over clay with ironstone laterite subsoils at the Home Vineyard
- Elevation of 80-110 m at Wilyabrup provides drainage and temperature moderation
- Maritime breezes from Indian Ocean and Southern Ocean moderate summer heat
- Original 1967 plantings at the Home Vineyard remain productive today
Varieties and Winemaking
Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay stand as the estate's flagship varieties, supported by Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Vasse Felix produces approximately 80,000 cases annually, applying a small-batch, quality-led philosophy with minimal intervention and an emphasis on restraint, structure, and terroir expression. The Gingin clone Chardonnay is a signature local adaptation used across the Chardonnay program. The Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec scored 99 points from James Suckling in 2017, and the Heytesbury Chardonnay 2010 accumulated 11 trophies.
- Flagship varieties are Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
- Gingin clone Chardonnay is a defining local adaptation
- Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec scored 99 points (James Suckling, 2017)
- Heytesbury Chardonnay 2010 won 11 trophies, among Australia's most awarded
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Look it up →Recognition and Visitor Experience
Vasse Felix received the title of New World Winery of the Year from Wine Enthusiast in 2018, cementing its international reputation. Beyond wine production, the estate operates an acclaimed restaurant, cellar door, wine museum, and art gallery, making it a cultural as well as viticultural destination in Margaret River. The estate holds certification from Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, reflecting a commitment to responsible land stewardship.
- Named New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast (2018)
- Certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia
- On-site restaurant, cellar door, wine museum, and art gallery
- Founding producer of the Margaret River wine region
Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon shows classic Margaret River structure: firm, fine-grained tannins, cassis and blackcurrant fruit, and restrained use of oak. Chardonnay displays stone fruit, citrus, and subtle nuttiness with natural acidity and elegant texture. Both flagships emphasise restraint and terroir expression over ripeness or extraction.
- Vasse Felix Classic Dry White$18-22Entry-level Semillon Sauvignon Blanc showcasing Margaret River's signature white blend with fresh, zesty character.Find →
- Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon$30-40Estate Cabernet expressing Margaret River's hallmark structure and cassis fruit from the founding vineyard.Find →
- Vasse Felix Heytesbury Chardonnay$75-95Flagship Chardonnay using Gingin clone; the 2010 vintage won 11 trophies and is among Australia's most awarded.Find →
- Vasse Felix Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec$120-150Top-tier Cabernet Malbec named for the founder; 2017 vintage scored 99 points from James Suckling.Find →
- Vasse Felix (1967) is the founding estate of Margaret River, established by Dr Tom Cullity as the region's first commercial vineyard and winery
- First vintage 1971 was difficult; 1972 Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling won gold medals, confirming the region's potential
- Four vineyard sites: Wilyabrup (Home Vineyard), Gnarawary, Karridale, Wallcliffe; 140 ha total
- Holmes à Court family ownership since 1987; Virginia Willcock Chief Winemaker since 2006
- Heytesbury Chardonnay 2010 won 11 trophies; Tom Cullity Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec scored 99 points (James Suckling, 2017)