Cullen Wines & Restaurant
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Quality, Integrity, Sustainability.
Grown in the ancient soils of Wilyabrup, Cullen wine comes from the heart of the land rather than the mind of the winemaker. The only biodynamic and carbon positive winery and restaurant in the region. You are welcomed to taste their wines at the Biodynamic Carbon Positive Wine Room.
A Brief History
Winegrowing began on the Cullen property in Margaret River 50 years ago. Studies in the early 1960s showed that Margaret River had some very special qualities. The climate was particularly suited to growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. On the advice of eminent agronomist Dr John Gladstones, Dr Kevin and Diana Cullen planted a trial acre of vines at Wilyabrup in 1966. The encouraging results of this led to the planting of 18 acres of vines on their sheep and cattle farm in 1971.
Winegrowing began on the Cullen property in Margaret River 50 years ago. Studies in the early 1960s showed that Margaret River had some very special qualities. The climate was particularly suited to growing Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. On the advice of eminent agronomist Dr John Gladstones, Dr Kevin and Diana Cullen planted a trial acre of vines at Wilyabrup in 1966. The encouraging results of this led to the planting of 18 acres of vines on their sheep and cattle farm in 1971.
Wine Growing
Cullen wine comes from the heart of the land rather than the mind of the winemaker. At Cullen, they take seriously their job as custodians of the land, to acknowledge the Wadandi people as the previous custodians with respect, and to look after the ancient Wilyabrup soils. Certified biodynamic, they add BD preparation 500 to their soil to create microbiologically active, intelligent soil. They harvest the grapes on auspicious planetary aspects, usually about the Moon, and press them in the winery with no additions at all. This is the purest form of winemaking with respect to place, on some of the oldest, most beautiful land. Wilyabrup’s Mediterranean maritime climate makes it possible to do that year in, year out, and have consistent quality grapes. Some try to tweak nature to make it perfect, Vanya Cullen knows nature is perfect already.
Biodynamics
Since the Estate was planted, chemical intervention was minimal and the family's concern for the environment paramount. In 1998 the change to total organic viticulture was made. Diana and Vanya went intuitively towards healing the soil by putting back what had been taken out. As a result, the Cullen Vineyard gained A Grade Organic Certification in 2003, followed by A Grade Biodynamic Certification in 2004 (Vineyard) and 2008 (Winery) by the Biological Farmers Association of Australia.
Awards
Cullen Wines is one of Australia’s most awarded wineries. Named Best Winery in Australia 2020 by The Real Review and one of the Top 9 Most Beautiful Biodynamic Wineries in the World by USA Architecture magazine in honour of Earth Day 2017. Vanya Cullen was awarded Halliday Wine Companion Winemaker of the Year 2020 and Women in Wine Winemaker of the Year 2019. Diana Madeline was named Wine of the Year 2020 by Ray Jordan, The Best Red Wine in Langton’s 2020 Top 6, awarded 99 points by Ray Jordan and James Suckling’s Australian reviewer Nick Stock, included in Decanter’s 2020 Top 20 Wines as well as many other high scores.
Cullen Dining
The Cullen Biodynamic Wine Room overlooks the historic vineyard. The building's unique construction from granite and timber blends harmoniously with the surroundings and provides a relaxing place to enjoy a glass of wine, lunch or coffee. In keeping with the organic/biodynamic philosophy in the vineyard, all food is prepared using fresh, biodynamic and organic produce, 90% of which is sourced from the Estate's own garden.
Cullen Homestead
Cullen Wines extend to you an invitation to stay in their Homestead. In all, it contains six bedrooms, two bathrooms and a large living area with a large stone fireplace. Visitors have the opportunity of wandering over to the Cullen Winery for a tasting or lunch. The Homestead also has the advantage of being located in the heart of the wine-growing sub-region of Wilyabrup, only 15 minutes by road from the beach at Gracetown, Cowaramup Bay, the township of Cowaramup, and is only 20 minutes from Margaret River town.
