From one original vineyard in Wilyabrup to four special sites across the wider Margaret River region, Clairault | Streicker Wines has spent more than 40 years maximising its dream surrounds. As viticulturist Chris Gillmore says, the region is blessed each vintage with incredible growing conditions, thanks to its maritime climate.
Today, under the ownership of John Streicker, the winery has two distinct brands – the regionally expressive Clairault Wines, and the single-vineyard Streicker Wines designed to reflect their specific terroir. The wines are sourced from across the four sites, comprising the original Cape Clairault vineyard next to their cellar door, the Ironstone Vineyard, also in Wilyabrup, Karridale’s Bridgeland Vineyard and another vineyard in Yallingup.
Chris loves the variety involved in tending to each of these diverse sites, with a particular soft spot for the original vineyard that was planted in 1976. “For me, it’s about how healthy these vines are, their quality and resilience,” Chris says. “They have this great balance each year, where heat and cold stresses don’t affect them.”
Chris works closely with winemaker Bruce Dukes, identifying the best fruit and ideal picking times each year, which translates to the best possible wines. And while cabernet and chardonnay remain regional heroes, Chris says the Streicker Syrah is among his personal favourites. “It’s in that lighter northern Rhone style and tends to hold on to that spicy red-fruit character, like dark sour cherry. It’s great with food and ages really well too.”
Coming soon
Clairault | Streicker Wines will be releasing a new flagship label early next year: the Streicker Nysa. This 2015 blend of cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon is named after the home of the god of wine, Dionysus, and showcases some of the winery’s oldest fruit from its Cape Clairault site. $120
For all the details of this exceptional Margaret River range, visit clairaultstreickerwines.com.au
