Leeuwin Estate, in the picturesque Margaret River district of Western Australia. Established in 1973 by Denis and Tricia Horgan and now under the direction of two generations, Leeuwin Estate has earned a reputation for producing wines ranking alongside the world’s finest and exports to 30 markets.
James Halliday has written, “Leeuwin Estate is a class act, every facet of its business working with the precision of a Swiss watch. It stands at the very forefront of estate-based, family owned wineries…” With point scores as high as 98/100, US Wine Spectator has included Leeuwin in the editor’s annual top 100 list on five occasions and the 2011 Art Series Chardonnay was named wine number 5 in the 2014 Top 100 wines.
The winery has been a pioneer in the business of wine tourism and incorporates a multi-award winning restaurant, tastings, behind the scene tours and stages numerous special events throughout the year, culminating in the annual series of spectacular summertime alfresco concerts featuring an eclectic array of the world’s greatest performers. Celebrating the Art of Fine Wine, Leeuwin adorns the labels of its premium wines with paintings commissioned from Australia’s leading artists, with the original artworks displayed in the Estate’s Art Gallery. Leeuwin is also the venue for the Gourmet Village, the hub of the acclaimed Margaret River Gourmet Escape food and wine festival, held each November.
98 Points James Halliday
A very youthful bright green-quartz colour sets the scene for a riveting wine of exquisite purity and finesse. It almost floats in the mouth, so effortless is its invocation of all things Chardonnay: white flowers, white stone fruits and immaculately balanced acidity. Oak? Well, yes it’s there, but rendered mute by the fruit. Has greater staying power than any other Australian Chardonnay.