Silkwood Estate Winery
At Silkwood Estate, we believe that the best wines can only come from the healthiest vines grown on good soil in the right climate.
Our Pemberton winery vineyard is nestled amongst magnificent and picturesque Karri and Jarrah forest, where the gentle undulating landscape, temperate climate and rich gravelly loam soils that overlay the clay base produce wines of exceptional quality.
Following a year of soil preparation, three hectares of Shiraz and two hectares Sauvignon Blanc were planted in 1999 in a north-south orientation to maximise their exposure to the sun.
Eight a half hectares of Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon were added in 2000, then in 2007 a further seven and a half hectares of Chardonnay, Semillon, Viogner, Verdelho and Malbec were planted.
Our focus on quality is of the utmost importance and with this in mind our aim is to produce beautiful boutique wines that our clients will be proud to share with their family and friends.
All Silkwood Estate wines are crafted with individual attention and focus on expressing the distinct varietal characteristics that the Pemberton region is renowned for. The flagship varietals from our region are Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Noir.
2018 The Walcott Malbec
Best WA Alternative Variety Wine 2020
Best Other Single Variety Red Wine 2020
The Vineyard
Set in Pemberton’s premier wine growing region amidst towering karri forests, Silkwood Estate 23.75 hectare vineyard is blessed with gravelly soils and cool, even temperatures during the ripening periods.
Following an extensive search of Western Australian wine regions, Pemberton was chosen in 1998 as the most suitable to establish Silkwood Estate.
The selection process was based on finding both an ideal climate and soil to produce quality wines, particularly the flagship Pinot Noir, Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc varietals.
The prevailing temperate climate and cool temperatures during ripening periods, rich gravelly loam and gently undulating landscape featured strongly in our selection and make Pemberton a premium cool-climate wine region.
The Plantings
In 1999 the first vines were planted in a North-South orientation to ensure maximum light interception. The trellis system is VSP (Vertical Shoot Position).
Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc were planted first, followed by Riesling, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon in 2000.
Having already won widespread acclaim for our premium wines, in 2007 Chardonnay, Semillon, Viogner, Verdelho and Malbec were added, expanding our range of single vineyard varietals.
Grafted rootstocks were selected for plantings to ensure protection against fungal diseases such as phylloxera, which can destroy entire vineyards. Grafted rootstock also reduces excessive vigour in the vines, which focuses the plants energy to producing grapes.
The 23.75ha Vineyard is made up of the following:
- 4.46ha Shiraz
- 1.02ha Cabernet Sauvignon
- 1.04ha Merlot
- 2.71ha Sauvignon Blanc
- 3.32ha Chardonnay
- 1.04ha Semillon
- 1.02ha Verdelho
- 1.02ha Viognier
- 3.61ha Pinot Noir
- 2.3ha Riesling
- 1ha Zinfandel
- 1.34ha Malbec
- 0.37ha Cabernet Franc
*All varieties are machine harvested as we process everything in our onsite winery which ensures minimal time from when fruit is harvested to it being processed.
Annual pruning incorporates either single wire spur pruning or cane pruning. This is dependent on variety performance at the time.
State of the art facilities and an expert vineyard team ensure the fruit has maximum flavour intensity and regional varietal flavours.
Pest and Disease Management
Guinea fowl have been introduced to the property to control grasshopper outbreaks, and beneficial predatory insects are introduced to the vineyard. The decision to introduce predators is based on our vine monitoring results which we conduct weekly.
Midrow management is practiced to control undesirable weeks and improve organic matter in the soil.
