Vintage 2026 begins with exceptional fruit
The first Chardonnay for Vintage 2026 has officially come off the vines this week, marking the start of the season across our Margaret River vineyards.
Gingin Chardonnay fruit from parcels located beside the Cellar Door and in front of Masseria Restaurant has arrived at the winery in excellent condition, showing vibrant aromatics and promising natural balance from the outset.
A stretch of mild days combined with cool nights through the ripening period has created near-ideal conditions so far, providing a strong foundation for the weeks ahead.
You can watch a short video from the first day in the vineyard here:
Watch the video →
As Larry Cherubino noted:
“The conditions are some of the best I’ve seen since 2002. The cool nights have made a real difference — the fruit is able to hang on the vine longer, ripening more gently and evenly. That said, it’s still early days. Vintage always keeps you humble, and a lot can still change from here.”
Matt Fox, Senior Viticulturist at Cherubino, has been leading vineyard operations throughout the week and echoed this early optimism while assessing the first parcels:
“The fruit looks absolutely spectacular — some of the best I’ve ever seen.”
The Chardonnay currently being picked will contribute to a range of upcoming wines, including parcels destined for our premium Margaret River Chardonnay releases.
While Vintage 2026 is only just beginning, the quality seen in the vineyard so far provides an encouraging indication of what may lie ahead. We look forward to sharing more updates as the season progresses.
