WORDS | Bernie Worthington, President Peel Wine Association
IMAGES | Peel Wine Association
The Peel Wine Association (PWA) was established in 2001 as an initiative of the Peel Development Commission to collectively recognise wine producers within the Peel region.
The PWA has been active for 19 years and currently has a membership of eight wineries within the Peel.
Gaining formal recognition initially entailed an exhaustive and stringent formality for the region’s producers mapping and profiling the soils, climate, and growers in the Peel. In 2002 the Australian Wine and Brandy Spirit Association granted the Peel Geographical Indications Committee (GIC) Status, a status which has worldwide legal standing.
The objectives of the PWA are to collaborate as an industry group, share knowledge and to collectively market and promote the fine wines of the Peel to consumers.
Members meet regularly and are bound by a code of conduct to ensure the integrity of the wine produced from within the region. Most, but not all, producers and growers within the Peel Wine Area are members of the PWA and by default, members of Wines of Western Australia.
Whilst a tiny Association, in terms of the number of wineries, by most GIC standards, the Peel wine region is unusually vast extending from just south of Rockingham in the north west, to Preston Beach on the south west cost and eastwards to Boddington.
The PWA largely (but not specifically) follows the local Government boundaries of the five Shires within the Peel, but there are some exceptions. Millbrook Winery which is in the Peel local government area is not within the Peel wine region as it had previously been included in the ‘Perth Hills’ GIC. Similarly, Vineyard 28 and Skipworth Wines are on the southern boundaries of the region but actually located within the ‘Geographe’ GIC.
Notwithstanding, the PWA generally liaises closely with these wineries iconic and world class wineries particularly with collaboration and cross promotion activities in addition Associate business members of the PWA.
Whilst most wineries in the Peel are small family owned and operated businesses, as an Association we are proud to have an iconic winery in Peel Estate at Baldivis which produces outstanding, world class Shiraz and internationally renowned Sparkling Verdelho. Coupled with producers such as Drakesbrook Fine Wines near Waroona and Tanglefoot wines at Wandering producing excellent examples of new and emerging alternative varieties, as well as the more well-known grape varieties including Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Lake Clifton Wines specializes in fruit wines such as mango and plum. This small yet significant region offers diversity of flavour and heritage to all palates.
Wines from the Peel punch well above their weight. Visitors to the cellars in the region are genuinely amazed by the quality, variety and diversity of fine table wines produced by our region on the southern doorstep of the Perth metropolitan area.
There are excellent cellar door facilities with welcoming picnic, concert and function capabilities at Peel Estate and Drakesbrook and a café at Tanglefoot.
Most recently the PWA participated in the development of the Western Australia Wine Tourism Strategy 2018–21 which aims to drive the alignment of effort across wine regions, operators and agencies through a shared vision:
The fine wine regions of WA will grow wine sales and exports from increasing international tourist visits by collaborating to cross promote WA fine wine, food and tourism destinations and experiences.
The PWA is committed to continuing to actively engage in the parent wine peak body (Wines of Western Australia (WoWA). Continuing to work closely with WoWA in strategy development to undertake projects designed to improve the quality and consistency of our regional wine tourism offerings, and capture synergies within the wine, food and tourism sectors at a local level.
As a united and growing Association, our intention is to showcase a selection of the Peel’s finest wines, including classic varieties along with new styles, brands and producers into the future.
Members
Current active members within the Peel wine region include:
- Karnup — Peel Estate, Peel Ridge, Stakehill Estate
- Lake Clifton — Lake Clifton Wines
- Waroona — Drakesbrook Fine Wines
- Wandering — Tanglefoot Wines, Wandering Brook Estate
Dwellingup — Redgum Wine Estate (formally Newbliss Wines — closed for refurbishment
MORE INFORMATION
For more information visit www.peelwineassociation.com.au/About
This article was first published in the Peel Magazine, Spring/Summer – vol 5.2 – to read and download the full magazine, click here.