Aylesbury Estate
Aylesbury Estate is Located in the Ferguson Valley within the Geographe wine region, our property is home to a 200-strong Angus beef breeding herd, complemented with vineyard plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Merlot. This fruit is used in the Pater Series, QO5, and Waterfall Gully ranges.
Aylesbury Estate
Aylesbury Estate: A Legacy of Quality and Innovation
Nestled in the picturesque Ferguson Valley, Aylesbury Estate epitomises the harmonious blend of agriculture and viticulture, showcasing an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. Located within the renowned Geographe wine region, our estate features traditional vineyard plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc, complemented by a unique array of alternative varietals. The fruits harvested from our vineyards contribute to our distinguished ranges, including the Pater Series, QO5, and Waterfall Gully.
Spanning 200 hectares, with approximately 9 hectares dedicated to vineyards, Aylesbury Estate paints a vibrant landscape of lush pastures and flourishing vines. The estate is also home to a thriving Angus beef breeding herd, reflecting our philosophy of intertwining agriculture with viticulture, which infuses our wines with a genuine sense of place.
Our journey is deeply rooted in family heritage while embracing the importance of continual growth and evolution. With a forward-looking perspective, we have cultivated varietals such as Tempranillo, Grenache, Vermentino, and Touriga Nacional, enriching our offerings with grapes ideally suited to our terroir. This commitment to expanding our repertoire highlights our dedication to crafting exceptional wines that resonate with our environment.
The climate of Aylesbury Estate mirrors that of Western Europe, characterised by cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers that shape the character of our grapes. Elevations ranging from 160 to 220 metres above sea level invite refreshing sea breezes from the Indian Ocean, contributing to the unique terroir of our wines. Our fertile soils, rich in chocolate loam with underlying clay, nurture our vines, while pristine waters from surrounding forests sustain their vitality throughout the growing season.
A Rich Family Heritage
The story of Aylesbury Estate is one of rich history, deeply intertwined with the Gibbs family. Named after the town of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, England, the estate traces its origins back to James Dagley Gibbs, who emigrated to Western Australia in 1844. James settled in the Ferguson Valley, where his son Samuel became a pioneer in the region. Over five generations, the land has evolved from citrus orchards and stone-fruit fields to dairy farms and, now, a haven for beef cattle and premium wine grapes.
The very soil that Samuel tended in 1883 now flourishes as Aylesbury Estate, a testament to the enduring legacy of the Gibbs family. Today, Ryan Gibbs, the fifth-generation custodian, along with his wife Narelle and their children, continues to uphold the spirit of Aylesbury, ensuring that its legacy thrives for future generations.
The vineyard was established in 1998 by Ryan’s father, who envisioned creating wines that capture the essence of the Ferguson Valley. The focus has always been on sustainable practices, preserving the land’s clean soil and water to foster healthy vines and fruit.
The Ferguson Valley’s climate, reminiscent of the Mediterranean, provides the perfect conditions for grape cultivation. With its cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers, the estate’s north-facing slopes are ideally suited for Bordeaux varietals. The fertile soils, combined with the cooling sea breezes from the Indian Ocean, create an environment where our grapes can thrive.
At Aylesbury Estate, we remain committed to honouring our heritage while looking to the future, crafting wines that reflect our unique terroir and the legacy of the land.
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Learn About Western Australian Wine Regions
Encompassing the The Swan Valley, Chittering & Surrounds the key varietals grown here include Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc & Verdelho.
What you might not know is it is Australia’s 2nd oldest wine region and has the hottest climate of any wine region in Australia. It is actually too hot here to produce certain varietals like Pinot. So, if you find one here, the fruit will probably be from down south.
Being on the doorstep of Perth we often forget it’s only a 25 minute drive from the city. We are so lucky to have a major wine region so close to the city.
An untapped resource that we are excited to showcase. We encourage you to take a drive up through the Bickley Valley. Not only are there some great wineries, but it’s a lovely drive with some fantastic views!
Most wineries here in the Bickley region are quiet young and a little different, with some varietals somewhat uncommon in WA. It has its own microclimate, producing differences in a Cabernet or Shiraz found down on the coastal plain. Up here you will find other varietals like Durif, Tempranillo, Mourvedre, and some Pinot Noir & Merlot.
The region stretches from Jarrahdale, through Bickley and the undulating landscapes of the Darling scarp.
The first commercial vineyard began operation in 1974 by Peel estate, which is still there today and producers some wonderful wines! Shiraz is the area’s strong suite.
The sea breeze comes much sooner than the swan valley keeping the temperatures a little cooler. Unfortunately, a region with few wineries that have a cellar door at present.
The Ferguson Valley and surrounds sits about 15 mins East of Bunbury and is home to a number of small boutique wineries. It’s majestic rolling hills, and the changes between the prevailing summer easterlies to the afternoon sea breeze makes for a diverse set of microclimates.
The region also encompasses the coastal plain, and down to Donnybrook providing different styles. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon & Sauvignon Blanc are the kings of this area, but wineries are experimenting with new plantings.
World renowned Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay live here, but there is still diversity in the climate that creates different styles from a winery 30km North of Margaret River, to 15km’s south of Margaret River.
There are 70 wineries with a 5 star rated (James Halliday) Cabernet. Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon are also strong in the area. Margs wipes other Australian regions off the table when they blend a Sauvignon Blanc and a Semillon.
If you have not been a fan of Chardonnay in the past, I suggest you give it another go. Styles change, and the regions Chards is rated amongst the best in the country.
Situated to the East & West of Bridgetown the area is exposed to cooler temperatures and a higher elevation compared with Margaret River.
The Blackwood Valley mainly produces quality aromatic Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. You can expect to find a vivid shiraz full of black fruits, and a textured, medium-bodied cabernet sauvignon. There are much fewer wineries in the Blackwood Valley compared with Margaret River.
The first vineyards in the region were established in 1976 and the area is now home to several award-winning wine producers and grape growers who supply some of Australia’s finest restaurants.
This is Karri Forrest country, and the rich soil is loved by Vineyards and Avocado’s galore! Its cool and wet in Pemberton for about 6 months, receiving far more rainfall than most other wine regions in WA.
The area can receive over 1.2 meters of rain per year. It is not uncommon in summer for Perth to be Sunny and 33c, while Pemberton is partly cloudy with cool ocean breezes from the South East and only 24c.
This lush soil combined with cool weather helps Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay thrive here, and keep an eye out for a lovely floral Cabernet Franc as well.
Much debate has been had over splitting up the Manjimup and Pemberton regions. Manjimup has a warmer climate and less fertile soil whereas Pemberton’s soil is richer.
The Warren River runs through the middle to split up the regions. The area is reasonably young in plantings, dating back to the late 80’s. The wines produced in this area are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and a few Cabernet Franc’s. For me, the Manjimup and Pemberton regions produce the states best Merlot. If you haven’t been a Merlot fan, it could be you are yet to try one from these regions.
The biggest single wine region in Australia – I bet you did not know that! There is such diversity in terrain, climate and soil type that just about anything thrives down here.
Denmark, Mount Barker and the Porongurup’s are the key areas, Some of WA’s finest Shiraz comes from north of Denmark in the Frankland River area, while most of Australia’s best Rieslings come from the Porongurup’s. Just ask James Halliday who says it himself!
Due to the sheer size of The Great Southern and its varied terrain, it has the capacity to produce world-class wines from a range of classic varieties. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay. There are 5 star wineries littered throughout the region. I need no convincing in taking a trip to Denmark for their wineries.