Vasse Felix Vineyard

Statement of Significance

Vasse Felix Vineyard is of significance: • As the site of the first commercial plantings of vineyards in the region. • As the site of the first successful commercial production of wine in the Margaret River region. • For its direct association with the establishment of an important new local industry, viticulture, which has since made Margaret River a world-renowned wine producing region and major tourist attraction. • For its continuity of use as the Vasse Felix Winery since the early 1970s.

Physical Description

This place record specifically refers to the original vineyard plantings, as defined in the plan, above.The larger vineyard site, which is located on the north-eastern corner of Caves Road and Tom Cullity Drive, continues be used as a vineyard and winery, with a cellar door and restaurant at the Tom Cullity Drive frontage.The main publicly accessible area has been landscaped with lawns and a pathway along a water course, which link the main carpark with the two storey cellar door and restaurant building. This is a highly articulated building constructed of timber, stone, rendered masonry and glass, with gabled, hipped and raked roof forms with varied pitches.At the beginning of the pathway from the carpark to the cellar door, there is a small stone plinth, which directs views towards some of the original vines. This has a plaque that reads: VASSE FELIX These are the oldest vines in the Margaret River wine region.In 1967 the founder of Vasse Felix, Dr Tom Cullity, planted these original Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, Verdelho and Riesling vines on the estate and, in doing so, became the pioneer of modern viticulture in Margaret River.The site was chosen for have well draining, gravel and loam soils and its North Easterly aspect.The first vintage in 1971 from four year old vines was disheartening, with most of the fruit either destroyed by rot or eaten by native birds. The next vintage was a success and produced a small quantity of Reisling, which received a Gold Medal at the Perth Royal Agricultural Show.To protect the grapes from bird damage during harvest, falconry was attempted. The exercise, however, proved unsuccessful, as the first tome the falcon was released to circle the vineyards it disappeared into the surrounding forest, never to be seen again.

History

The land now known as the Vasse Felix Estate was originally selected for group settlement in the early 1920s.Vasse Felix is one of two farm blocks selected by Dr Thomas Cullity and Dr Kevin Cullen (of Willyabrup Wines). It was Dr Cullity who purchased the land following the publication of a 1965 thesis by a research officer with the department of Agriculture, John Gladstone, and based upon the advice and encouragement from Dc Cullen. After discussions with the District Officer in Charge for the Agriculture Department, Stan Dilkes, it was found that this land contained the typical soil and micro-climate suggested in the Gladstone thesis.Cullity, Cullen and Geoff Junipers first attempt at the experimental planting in 1966 of the vines on a property owned by Henry Wright, which was opposite the present Vasse Felix Vineyard was unsuccessful. It was actually the second attempt by Dr Cullity alone during the following year that it was successful. Dr Cullity then established the first commercial vineyard of Vasse Felix. They removed the original group house and built the first wine making premises.In 1972 Vasse Felix won an award with its first wine and released its first commercial wine in the following year. Within a few years more vineyards had been established in the region and were producing wine under a range of labels including Cape Mentelle, Sandalford and Leeuwin Estate. Margaret River is now the largest wine producing region in Western Australia. There are nearly 5,000 hectares under vine and well over 200 wine producers in the region. Although the region contributes only 3 per cent of the country’s wine grapes, it commands over 20 per cent of today’s premium wine market.The original wine making shed at Vasse Felix has been developed and added to over the years and now houses a restaurant and wine selling/tasting area. The majority of the infrastructure relating to the winery and cellar door has been developed since the current owners acquired the property in 1987.

Integrity/Authenticity

High: The original use has been maintained. Medium: The place has had some alterations, but the original intent/character is still clearly evident.

Condition

Good *Assessed from streetscape survey only

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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