Cullen Wines

In the early 1960s, Kevin and Diana, owners of a piece of land in Wilyabrup, Western Australia, began contemplating alternative uses for their property. It was during this time that they stumbled upon the idea of growing lupins. Intrigued by the potential of their land, they decided to reach out to Dr. John Gladstones, a senior lecturer at the University of Western Australia known for his expertise in lupins.

Dr. Gladstones, however, had recently shifted his focus to viticulture and had conducted extensive research on the climate and soils of southwestern Australia in relation to wine grape production. In his 1965 paper titled “The climate and soils of southwestern Australia in relation to vine growing,” he identified the Margaret River region as having remarkable similarities to some of the finest wine regions across the globe. This was followed by his 1966 paper titled “Soil and climate of the Margaret River – Busselton area; their suitability for wine grape production,” further solidifying his findings.

The reputation of Margaret River wines grew steadily, gaining recognition both nationally and internationally. The region’s temperate climate, coupled with the maritime influence from the nearby Indian Ocean, proved to be ideal for producing elegant and complex wines. The unique combination of terroir factors, including the gravelly soils and cooling sea breezes, added distinct characteristics to the wines, setting Margaret River apart from other wine regions in Australia.
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