Frankland Estate
What is Frankland Estate Wines all about?
Frankland Estate is one born in the isolated natural terrain of South West Australia, and the foresight of a prominent scientist. In 1956 renowned US viticulturist Dr Harold Olmo identified the potential of the Frankland River region to produce wines comparable to those of Bordeaux, France. Working two vintages in Bordeaux and touring French vineyards cemented Barrie and Judi’s vision to establish Frankland Estate in 1988 and pursue their dream to create wines of uncompromising quality.
Now in the hands of second-generation siblings Hunter and Elizabeth Smith, with Brian Kent (Elizabeth's winemaking husband) they farm organically and create some of the best wines of the region focusing on Riesling, Syrah and Cabernet Franc wines that speak of their home on the Isolation Ridge Vineyard.
Frankland Estate Riesling
2021
Grapes are pressed immediately on arrival at the winery with the juice left to settle in tank over night before being racked. The wine was then fermented in stainless steel tanks at relatively low temperatures (less than 14 deg C) over 4-6 weeks with minimal intervention from our winemakers in order to obtain the purest expression of the pristine, organically grown fruit. The wine was then left on its fermentation lees prior to bottling.
Our People
Judi Cullam co-founded Frankland Estate with late husband Barrie Smith in 1988, in a move to diversify their long-established wool-growing interests in the Frankland River region.
Judi has been integral to the success and growth of Frankland Estate within Australia and into major export markets. A tireless contributor to the Australian wine scene, she was awarded the Len Evans Award for Leadership by Gourmet Traveller WINE magazine in 2018.
Barrie, meanwhile, was raised in a wine-producing region and was renowned for his deep respect for the land. Over more than 30 vintages at Frankland Estate, he was instrumental in pushing the potential of the Isolation Ridge vineyard.
Awards & Accolades
Frankland Estate partnered with the GSDC for the 2021 GSDC Medal Awards Ceremony.
Our Vineyards
This place is special, and we hope you taste its life, joy and detail in our wines.
Founded in 1988 by Barrie Smith and Judi Cullam, Frankland Estate is buried deep in the heart of Western Australia’s most isolated wine region.
It’s located 330km south of Perth, 250km east of Margaret River and some 50km inland from the wild and picturesque Great Southern coastline.
We named our vineyard Isolation Ridge on account of its rugged remoteness.
The key soil profile of this undulating site is what we call “coffee rock” - ironstone gravel over a clay subsoil. These fragile, fairly infertile soils demand a great deal of care, and reward it with wines that bear a distinctly savoury, ferrous stamp that marries beautifully with pristine, generous fruit flavours and natural acidity.
Our Community
Our isolated location means we don’t have a steady stream of visitors to our part of the world.
As such our Cellar door experience is a little different to those of the main tourist winery areas. Those that seek us out are asked to let us know in advance via phone or email at least 24 hours before coming so we can be available to show you our winery and wines. One of the family usually conducts our tastings and people who come often say it is one of the best winery experiences they have had as we can spend one on one time with you and your group and answer any questions you have. We love that people make the effort to come and visit so please let us know if you are heading our way.
