Amidst the lush vineyards of Fraser Gallop Estate in the heart of the Margaret River region, a picturesque scene unfolded before me—a table elegantly set with a bottle of sparkling wine and gleaming glasses, poised against a vibrant vineyard backdrop. As our solar-powered wine buggy gently steered toward this inviting setup, I found myself lost in anticipation, daydreaming about the next glass of exquisite rosé, just like the one we savored at our first stop.
Fraser Gallop Estate’s “Wines & Vines” tour offers a wine tasting experience unlike any other. Instead of the traditional cellar door visit, guests are invited to hop aboard an eight-seat electric buggy, led by the knowledgeable Michele Lane, the estate’s cellar door manager. As we cruised through the vineyard, Michele shared fascinating insights into the meticulous process behind Fraser Gallop’s premium single-vineyard wines.
The tour showcases the essence of Fraser Gallop Estate, a sprawling 25-year-old vineyard nestled among the rolling valleys and slopes of Margaret River. This region is celebrated for producing some of Australia’s finest wines, and Fraser Gallop’s award-winning Parterre range is a testament to its exceptional terroir.
Nigel Gallop, the estate’s vigneron, firmly believes that to truly appreciate the Margaret River region, one must immerse themselves in its natural beauty. The 20-hectare vineyard, with its immaculate plantings, offers visitors a chance to experience the essence of Wilyabrup in every glass. Despite the challenges posed by a regional drought, the vineyard’s vines remain resilient, though dust from the dry conditions clings to the landscape.
“I’ve lived here since 1999,” Michele shared as we continued our tour, “and I’ve never seen it this dry. We’re expecting a deluge eventually, and we desperately need it, but the vines are holding up beautifully. Our yield was down about 20 percent this year, which I believe is the case across the entire Margaret River region due to the early heat. We had to pick nearly a month earlier than usual, which is unheard of, but this heat is unprecedented. We haven’t had any rain since mid-October.”
The dedication to quality at Fraser Gallop is evident in their approach to harvesting. All the fruit is hand-picked, and the entire vineyard is netted during fruit-bearing seasons to protect the grapes from the native twenty-eight parrots, whose vibrant presence would otherwise decimate the crop.
As our buggy navigated another turn on the dusty track, we were greeted by a breathtaking sight—267 claret ash trees lining the estate’s driveway, their leaves beginning to turn a deep claret red. “They’ve just started to change in the past two weeks,” Michele explained, “and over the next month, they’ll transition to shades of yellow, purple, and red, creating a stunning autumn rainbow. But then a big storm will come through, and all the leaves will be blown away.”
Continuing through the vineyard rows, we caught sight of the grand estate house perched on a distant hillside. Although Nigel Gallop was raised in Perth, the design of this impressive Georgian-style building draws inspiration from his UK origins. Our buggy veered left for a tasting of the estate’s single-ferment chardonnay—a sip that instantly captivated my senses.
I savored my final sip of chardonnay alongside a perfectly paired cheeseboard, leaving Fraser Gallop Estate with a renewed appreciation for the art of winemaking. This unique experience, blending the beauty of the Margaret River region with the exceptional craftsmanship of Fraser Gallop’s wines, is one that I’ll cherish for years to come.
