Tasting Notes 🍇

• Colour: Very pale straw with youthful green tinges
• Aromatics: Passionfruit, cut grass, gooseberry and lime with flinty, herbaceous notes
• Palate: Zesty citrus and pineapple flavours with a spicy grapefruit twist through the mid-palate. Hints of tropical fruit linger on a fine, crisp finish that’s both refreshing and long.

Winemaker’s Note

“Our goal was to capture the Great Southern’s natural brightness—fruit purity, crisp acidity and that classic flinty edge. It’s fresh, seamless and vibrant from start to finish.”

Viticulture & Winemaking

🔹 Region: Denmark, Frankland River & Mount Barker – Great Southern, WA
🔹 Varietal: 85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Semillon
🔹 Fermentation: Cold-fermented in stainless steel to preserve aromatics
🔹 Maturation: Unwooded for ultimate freshness
🔹 Alcohol: 12.5% Vol
🔹 Style: Dry, crisp and fruit-driven

Sustainability & Vineyard Care 🌱

🔹 Sustainably managed vineyards with minimal intervention
🔹 Cool nights and moderate days retain natural acidity and varietal expression
🔹 Gentle handling and stainless-steel production for clarity and purity

Storage & Serving Tips ❄️

• Serving Temperature: 8°C – crisp and refreshing when chilled

• Decanting: Not necessary; serve straight from the bottle

• Cellaring Potential: Enjoy now for vibrant freshness or within 2–3 years

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Grilled prawns with lime and coriander

• Freshly shucked oysters with citrus dressing

• Goat’s cheese and rocket salad

• Thai seafood curry or spicy calamari

FAQ Wine Terms 🧐

❓ Why make it unwooded?
Fermenting in stainless steel preserves fruit purity and ensures crisp, refreshing acidity—no oak influence means the natural aromatics shine.

❓ What makes Great Southern Sauvignon Blanc stand out?
The region’s cool-climate conditions deliver intense flavour with elegant restraint—bright acidity, citrus drive, and a flinty mineral edge.

❓ How does it compare to Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc?
Great Southern styles are leaner and zestier, focusing on minerality and citrus over the tropical richness typical of warmer regions.

Lean about Picardy

Our Story

Picardy is a leading boutique winery located in the Pemberton region of Western Australia, founded in 1993 by Bill, Sandra, and Dan Pannell. The Pannell family’s winemaking legacy began with the establishment of Moss Wood vineyard in Margaret River in 1969. Moss Wood was instrumental in establishing Margaret River as a premier Australian wine region. Picardy aims to continue this tradition of excellence. Dan Pannell, who grew up in the wine industry, furthered his expertise with a Bachelor of Science (Oenology) from The University of Adelaide.

Picardy produces a range of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Every wine under the Picardy label comes exclusively from Pemberton, reflecting the Pannell family’s commitment to quality.

The Site

The Picardy vineyard is situated on a gentle north-facing slope at an altitude of 200 metres, 35 kilometres from the Southern Ocean. This location was carefully chosen by Bill Pannell for its well-drained loam and gravel soils, which are ideal for producing high-quality cool-climate wines, especially Pinot Noir. The site’s elevation and proximity to the ocean provide cooling summer breezes, creating optimal conditions for premium wine production.

Viticultural Approach

Picardy employs a careful viticultural approach to maximise grape quality. The vines are closely planted to encourage competition and deeper root growth, and are trained low to benefit from the heat radiating from the gravelly soils. Sustainable practices are integral to Picardy’s philosophy, including the use of cover crops like clover and annual grasses, composting with vine prunings, and a non-cultivation policy to maintain soil structure and promote a healthy ecosystem.

Other practices include Vertical Shoot Positioning (VSP) trellising, shoot thinning, hedging, and leaf plucking to ensure optimal airflow through the vine canopy. The vines are crop-thinned at veraison, and any damaged fruit is removed before harvest. Hand harvesting ensures that only the highest quality fruit is selected, minimising handling and preserving the integrity of the grapes.

The Burgundian Clones

During their time in Burgundy in the 1980s, Bill and Sandra Pannell became involved in a significant clonal selection trial for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This trial identified several exceptional clones, including four Chardonnay clones (76, 95, 96, and 277) and three Pinot Noir clones (114, 115, and 777). These were chosen for their potential to produce outstanding wines rather than their yield.

The Pannells have since imported additional Pinot Noir clones from Corton, selected based on their wine quality. This selection includes Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, all chosen to enhance the complexity and character of Picardy’s wines.

The Oak

At Picardy, oak is used to complement, rather than dominate, the fruit of the Pemberton region. In 1998, Bill and Sandra Pannell visited Burgundy to find a high-quality barrel producer and discovered Tonnellerie Meyrieux Fils, which has since become a key supplier for Picardy. About 80% of Picardy’s barriques are sourced from this French cooperage. The Picardy cellar features oak from seven producers with various toast levels and forest types, and ongoing trials continue to refine and enhance the quality of their wines.

Read Picardy Wine Reviews Here

If you are planning a Pemberton trip, make sure to visit the Pemberton Wine Region official page HERE

If there is a Picardy Wine you would like us to order in please email us on info@partnersinwine.com.au