The Hillbille property has been in the Bettridge family since the late 1980s and has a total area of 59 hectares. After many years supplying local wineries, Hillbille began making wines under its own label in 2003.

The Wines

The wines of Hillbille are all clean and austere, very much directed towards the European palate, and are all estate-grown. The Hillbille 'Estate' range is contemporary in style, providing excellent structure and balance to a range of classic grape varietals. Within this range are the Hillbille Chardonnay, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Merlot and Shiraz varieties.

The 'James Brittain' signature range is dedicated to the family's great-great-grandfather James Brittain, whose 'signature' is evident across the City of Perth on such heritage buildings including the Town Hall, Barracks Arch and Cloisters. This series of wines are from only premium fruit, and produced in very limited quantities. Varieties within the range include Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz Viognier.

The wines are available to purchase on the Hillbille website and are also exported to Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Cellar Door

The cellar door at Hillbille is open from 10am-4pm on weekends and public holidays.  

Sitting high on the granite ridges of the Blackwood River Escarpment and set inland from the Margaret River Township, Nannup Ridge Estate is host to 31 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz.

The first vines were planted in 1998, with subsequent plantings taking place in 2000 and 2006. During the growing season, the vines are perfectly situated so they enjoy long hours of sunshine during the day and coastal breezes and cool evenings in the afternoon. Additionally, abundant water, granite loam soils and low frost and disease pressure all contribute to reliable quality and consistent vintages. 

The 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon won Best in Show and Gold at the 2018 Timber Towns Wine Show. This Cabernet is highly perfumed with a leafy black fruit combination on the nose. It can be enjoyed now, however, medium term cellaring will enrich is complexity. 

Nannup Ridge Estate's 2016 Shiraz won Silver at the Timber Towns Regional Wine Show 2018. This generous and soft Shiraz displays a good depth of fruit. Cloves and plums are the notes on the nose, with a little sprinkle of spice. The palate holds a dry earthiness with the chalky tannins creating a gravelly loamy character.

Winner of Silver at the Royal Hobart Wine Show 2013 and Silver at the Qantas WA Wine Show, the 2012 Merlot is a rich wine abound in aromas of red currant, macerated plums and hints of violets.

The 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon won Silver at the Australian Cool Climate Wine Show, Sydney Royal Wine Show and the Royal Adelaide Wine Show. This wine displays the bright fruit aromas of dark cherries and mulberries. It holds a palate laden with dark tones of leather, cassis and cedar. The finish boasts a succulent balance of fruit acidity and purity. Bringing the wine to an elegant and persistent close is the ripe velvety tannins. 

Red Gully was established in 1997 to primarily grow red wine grapes and produce great wines that are based on the long ripening periods in this part of Western Australia. Owned and operated by the Walter family, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties were originally planted, alongside small blocks of Pinot Noir, Merlot, Chardonnay and Semillon.

The Wines

Red Gully focuses on making Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, which are available to order online with free delivery to the Perth Metropolitan area.

Owned and operated by Maree Tinker and Steve Johnstone, Whimwood Estate is situated alongside the Blackwood River near the old timber milling town of Nannup. The original vineyard was planted with Chardonnay vines in 2004. It was reduced significantly (and some wines grafted to Shiraz) in 2010 to focus on quality, closely monitor the fruit and select the very best grapes. Considerable effort is placed on the oak program, working with single forest selections from France to ensure the right spice, toast and flavours.

The Wines

Varieties offered at Whimwood include Rose, Chardonnay, Shiraz and a Sparkling Blanc de Blancs. The Whimwood wines have received multiple accolades from competitions including the Perth Royal Wine Show, the Royal Melbourne Wine Awards, and the National Wine Show of Australia. Wines can be tasted and purchased from the cellar door and or on the Whimwood website.

Cellar Door 

Steve and Maree welcome you to their cellar door at Whimwood, overlooking the majestic Blackwood River valley.  The cellar door  is open weekends and public holidays, 11am to 4pm and provides light lunches, including locally sourced and produced platters that compliment the range of wines.  Wine tastings and wine sales. The cellar door area is family and dog friendly.

Halliday Rating

4 Stars