Winery of the Month July 2023
In 1967, the illustrious Dr. Tom Cullity, a visionary pioneer of the region, established Vasse Felix, the very first wine estate in Margaret River.
Nestled among the world's great wine regions, Margaret River boasts an extraordinary environment and climate, an enchanting haven for both winemakers and wine enthusiasts. From its initial plantings to the present day, our relentless quest at Vasse Felix has been to embrace and express the utmost essence of the Margaret River region.
Our wines embody the essence of Margaret River, with a particular focus on Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, complemented by delightful Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon blends. These exquisite grapes flourish in our three remarkable Margaret River vineyards and are expertly vinified and bottled within our state-of-the-art winery, beautifully situated at our Home Vineyard, overlooking the serene Wilyabrup Brook.
Vasse Felix is an extraordinary place, distinguished by the magnificent environment and climate of Margaret River, our cherished family heritage, and the priceless value of our vineyards. Above all, our entire team is dedicated to upholding Dr. Cullity's original vision for Vasse Felix: to craft the finest wines imaginable.
The Founder, Dr. Thomas Brendan Cullity, was a highly intelligent and somewhat eccentric Cardiologist hailing from Western Australia. During his travels to Britain in the 1950s, while working at the National Heart Hospital, he discovered the exceptional table wines of Europe. Inspired, he returned home with a fervent mission to create outstanding wines in Western Australia.
Driven by his unwavering passion, Tom embarked on a tireless search for the perfect parcel of land, guided by the research of esteemed scholars like Professor Harold Olmo (1955) and Dr. John Gladstones (1965). His pursuit led him to a small piece of land, now known as the Vasse Felix Home Vineyard, nestled beside the tranquil Wilyabrup Brook. Here, he planted 8 hectares of vines, including the revered Houghton clone Cabernet Sauvignon, which forms the heart of Margaret River's finest Cabernets.
Balancing a demanding career and a large family, Tom spent most of his spare time navigating the challenging journey from Perth to Margaret River, traversing gravel roads to tend to his young vine plantings. At this site, merely 4km from the majestic ocean, Tom established rudimentary winemaking facilities, ingeniously recycling medical contraptions in a modest shed that also served as his sleeping quarters. Despite skepticism from some and colorful labels of "crazy" from locals, Tom persevered, relying on his intellectual brilliance and unconventional approaches, including a brief foray into falconry, to overcome the myriad of challenges he encountered.
Through Tom's steadfast determination and enduring persistence, he succeeded in crafting Margaret River's first commercial wines. His pioneering role in establishing the Margaret River Wine Region is forever etched in our memories.
