Since its founding year in 1976, making it one of Margaret River’s pioneering vineyard-winery estates, Clairault has been creating a living heritage of wines that reflect the uniqueness of its terrior.
Combining minimal intervention winemaking and exceptional quality estate-grown grapes, cultivated through the deployment of sustainable biological farming practices, enables Clairault to make wines that are; consistent in quality, well balanced, of distinct and lasting elegance, and express purity of fruit.
Owned and operated by The Martin Family, Clairault is a wine grower dedicated to; ”nurture an appreciation of quality that is enjoyable and life enhancing…” an aspiration which underpins the family's approach to all they do and how they relate.
THE VINEYARD ESTATE…
With this land comes a responsibility to preserve, and where possible improve, its biodiversity and environmental integrity. It is our aim and desire to keep to a minimum the impact that our vineyard, winery and tourism operations may have on the quality and sustainability of our land, water resources, and the wider environment. Through the guidance of Freshcare Environmental Codes of Practice and Entwine Australia Sustainability Accreditation we minimize any impacts through a programme of continuous improvement and environmental monitoring.
These improvements include, but are not limited to; the deployment of biological farming, low intervention-high precision viticulture, a selective expansion programme, and strategic investment into mature vine management
Biological farming, a passion of Clairault’s Vineyard Manager, Brian Martin, is a mix of organic and conventional farming techniques that place a strong emphasis on soil biology. These techniques result in high quality crops, while using significantly less herbicide, no insecticides and no synthetic fertilisers. The biological farming, sustainable, and low intervention techniques deployed on the estate ensure that only the purest of fruit is produced…thus achieving optimum flavour. This, along with the outstanding winemaking skills of Will Shields, has helped create wines that are truly distinctive to Clairault’s vineyard.
THE WINES & THEIR MAKER…
Clairault’s Winemaker, Will Shields strives to create “a living heritage of wines that reflect the uniqueness of Clairault’s terrior”…wines that are consistent in quality, well balanced, of distinct and lasting elegance, and which express purity of fruit. This approach, combined with minimal intervention winemaking practices and exceptional quality estate grown grapes, ensures that we achieve the best wine Clairault has to offer.
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon are the dominant varietals grown on the estate and have proved worthy time and again. At the 2009 London International Wine Challenge, Clairault’s flagship 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon won Gold and Double Trophy for The Best Cabernet Sauvignon in Australia and The Best Western Australian Red Wine.
VINEYARD-WINERY AWARDS & ACCOLADES…
Clairault continues to enjoy much success at prestigious wine shows within Australia and overseas
A comprehensive list of individual wine accolades can be found on our website…
THE EXPERIENCE…
Clairault has also earned an enviable reputation as one of the region’s most popular tourism destinations. Set in exquisitely breath-taking surroundings, the tasting room overlooking our vineyard and winery is the ultimate way to experience the fruits of our labour…or stay a bit longer and enjoy our wines over a long leisurely lunch! Clairault’s talented chefs create signature dishes made from estate-grown and fresh local produce to match perfectly with our acclaimed wine…a truly memorable experience delivered with impeccable service from our knowledgeable and friendly staff.
“A poster boy for the Margaret River lifestyle…”
Rob Broadfield, The West Australian Newspaper, Aug 2010
PARTNERSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES…
As the wines continue to receive an increasing number of accolades from International and national shows and wine critiques, Clairault wines are selling in more export markets than ever before, including; Ireland, U.K., Sweden, Canada, select states of the USA, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, India, Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, Hong Kong and China.