FAQ: Wine Terms Explained 🤔

Sauvignon Blanc – A zesty white grape variety known for its fresh, aromatic character. It often displays citrus, green apple, and tropical fruit flavours. Sauvignon Blanc wines are typically crisp and refreshing, with vibrant acidity.

Semillon – A white grape variety that adds texture and richness to blends, contributing subtle honeyed notes, citrus, and stone fruit flavours. Semillon’s natural acidity gives wines great ageing potential.

Lees – The dead yeast cells and other solids left after fermentation. Maturation on lees can add complexity and texture to the wine, often contributing to a creamy mouthfeel.

Acidity – A key characteristic in white wines, acidity provides freshness and balance. It enhances the wine’s ability to pair with food and ensures a clean, refreshing finish.

Food Pairing Suggestions 🍽️

• Thai green curry with spring vegetables
• Grilled prawns with garlic and lemon
• Fresh goat cheese with crackers and herbs

Learn About Byron & Harold

After 60 years in the fine wine business, we proudly put our names on the Byron & Harold label as our solemn pledge to discover, curate, and share the wines we adore with all who appreciate the romance, history, and sheer pleasure fine wine brings to a shared meal.

We have elected to establish ourselves in Western Australia, with a particular focus on the Margaret River and Great Southern regions. These areas are among a select few wine-producing regions in Australia that benefit from a genuine cool climate, thanks to our southerly latitudes and the strong influence of the surrounding oceans on our vineyards.

Paul Byron and Harold (Ralph) Dunning firmly believe that exceptional winemaking originates in the vineyard. They meticulously seek out parcels of Western Australian fruit that they genuinely believe wine enthusiasts desire to savour. These are wines brimming with flavour, true to their varietal nature, and bearing the distinct provenance that reflects the exceptional Margaret River region and the remarkable vineyards of the Great Southern. Accolades will continue to come their way with excellent reviews from Wine Companion & Ray Jordan.

Great wine encapsulates the essence of its origins, acting as a canvas for terroir to convey its story to the drinker. The natural beauty of Western Australia’s wine regions yields wines of exceptional quality, and our talented winemaker, Rory Parks, masterfully captures this essence in every glass of Byron & Harold wine. He works with elegant cool-climate fruit that defines our signature Great Southern wines, as well as the bold, richly structured grapes from Margaret River, renowned for their intensity. With access to this exceptional array of world-class vineyards and the concentrated grapes they produce, Rory skillfully crafts wines that reflect the distinctive characteristics of these prestigious regions.

Summer in the Vineyard

Summer is a crucial time in this process, as the vineyards of Margaret River and Great Southern prepare for their annual vintage. Timing the harvest is vital; picking too late can expose grapes to the intense February heat, jeopardising the essential acidity that ensures freshness and structure in the final wine. Conversely, harvesting too early might compromise flavour intensity, as some grape varieties need additional time to achieve full ripeness. Thanks to Rory and his team’s expertise, we can harvest at just the right moment, capturing the grapes at their peak of ripeness and balance.

While summer is a bustling season for our wineries, it also offers a delightful experience for visitors to the region. Long, sun-drenched days and pleasant evenings create the perfect backdrop for outdoor activities and alfresco dining. People from around the globe come to enjoy these experiences and explore the local offerings.