Cape Mentelle Vineyards

Cape Mentelle Vineyards (often referred to simply as Cape Mentelle) is an Australian winery founded by wine industry pioneer David Hohnen based at Margaret River, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. One of the oldest wineries in the region, it came to prominence by winning the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy in both 1983 and 1984.[1]

This article is about the winery. For the limestone headland, see Cape Mentelle.

Cape Mentelle Vineyards
Location331 Wallcliffe Road, Margaret River, Western Australia 6285, Australia
Coordinates33°58′03″S 115°02′16″E
Wine regionMargaret River
Founded1970 (1970)
First vintage1976
Parent company
  • Estates & Wines
  • (owned by LVMH)
Known forCape Mentelle Cabernet Sauvignon
VarietalsChardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon blanc, Semillon, Shiraz, Zinfandel
DistributionInternational
TastingOpen to public
Websitecapementelle.com.au


History

Founded in 1970 by David Hohnen, Cape Mentelle was one of the five founding vineyards of Margaret River winemaking region.[2] The winery takes its name from the nearby Cape, named by the French ‘Baudin Expedition’ which charted the coast of Western Australia in 1801. They named the Cape after two notable French scientists, geographer Edmund and his cartographer brother Francois-Simon Mentelle, who lived in Paris in the early 1700s.

The winery's first vintage was made by David Hohnen, in a small, experimental, rammed-earth shed. Hohnen's brother, Giles, and architect Tom Roberts wanted to prove that rammed earth was a viable material for the area.[3]

The vineyard's early years were characterised by experimentation to improve the quality of the vines and resulting wines. It is during this time that Cape Mentelle became known for producing their signature wine Cabernet Sauvignon.

In 1983 Cape Mentelle won the coveted Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy for the best one year old dry red wine, and cemented its position as a premium wine maker with another win in 1984.

In 2010, Cape Mentelle was the first winery in Western Australia to obtain the Entwine accreditation (today Sustainable Winegrowing Australia).

In 2020 Cape Mentelle celebrated its 50 Year Anniversary. To mark the occasion they invited Bondi based Ocean photographer Aquabumps to photograph the vineyard and Margaret River area and create an exhibition that documents the region's 50th year.[4] This exhibition was displayed at the North Bondi Surf Lifesaving Club.

Wines

Cape Mentelle is renowned for crafting fine wines, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, which contributed significantly to putting Margaret River on the global map and establishing the region's reputation in fine winemaking.

  • Cabernet Sauvignon : first varietal planted by the Hohnens in the 1970s and the Estate's first wine, which was commercially released in 1976. Since then, Cabernet Sauvignon has been at the heart of Cape Mentelle winemaking philosophy, from the 1982-83 vintages that won Jimmy Watson awards to the annual International Cabernet Sauvignon Tasting.
  • Chardonnay
  • Shiraz
  • Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
  • Rosé
  • Cabernet Merlot
  • Shiraz Cabernet
  • Zinfandel

Events

Movies At Cape Mentelle

Movies At Cape Mentelle


During summer, Cape Mentelle gardens turn into an outdoor cinema "Movies At Cape Mentelle" at the heart of the Estate vineyards.

The attraction, acclaimed in the Margaret River region, features a programme which offers both new releases and old favourites. Local food and Wine are available on site.



International Cabernet Tasting

International Cabernet Tasting

In 1982, Cape Mentelle hosted its first International Cabernet Tasting, which has since become an annual tradition at the Estate.

This extended blind tasting showcasing outstanding Cabernet from around the world continues to attract some of the most influential people in the field, bringing together experts, journalists and wine aficionados.

The guided tasting is followed by a catered pairing lunch with local ingredients from Margaret River.






See also

References

Notes
  1. Scott & Negus 2011, p. 26.
  2. "The History of Cape Mentelle"
  3. Wiltshire 2000, p. 87
  4. "Cape Mentelle x Aquabumps"

Bibliography
  • Halliday, James (1985). The Australian Wine Compendium. North Ryde, NSW: Angus & Robertson. pp. 473–477, 490–507. ISBN 0207151377.
  • Halliday, James (2008). James Halliday's Wine Atlas of Australia (rev. ed.). Prahran, Vic: Hardie Grant Books. pp. 234–239. ISBN 9781740666855.
  • Jordan, Ray (2002). Wine: Western Australia's Best. Osborne Park, WA: The West Australian. pp. 50–99. ISBN 0909699887.
  • Scott, Jane; Negus, Patricia (2011). Stories from the Cellar Door: Fifty Margaret River Wineries Tell Their Tales. North Fremantle, WA: Cape to Cape Publishing. pp. 26–27, 106–110. ISBN 9780980333763.
  • Wiltshire, Trea (2000). Margaret River. Australian Wine Regions series. Singapore: R. Ian Lloyd Productions. ISBN 9810426747.
  • Zekulich, Michael (2000). Wine Western Australia (all new ed.). Perth: St George Books. pp. 122–235. ISBN 0867780614.



This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.