Picardy Wines
Located in Pemberton, Picardy is renowned for its exceptional Pinot Noir, which we proudly stock in Perth. As one of Australia’s leading premium boutique wine producers, Picardy wines was established in 1993 in the Pemberton region of Western Australia.
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Picardy Wines Pannell Family
Our Story
Picardy is a renowned boutique winery situated in the Pemberton region of Western Australia, established in 1993 by Bill, Sandra, and Dan Pannell. The Pannell family’s winemaking legacy began with the creation of Moss Wood vineyard in Margaret River in 1969. Moss Wood was instrumental in establishing Margaret River as a leading Australian wine region, and Picardy continues this tradition of excellence. Dan Pannell, immersed in the wine industry from an early age, holds a Bachelor of Science (Oenology) from The University of Adelaide, furthering the family’s expertise.
Picardy’s portfolio features an array of wines, including Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. Each wine under the Picardy label is crafted exclusively from their single vineyard in Pemberton, reflecting a commitment to quality and distinction.
The Pemberton Region
Pemberton, one of Australia’s newer wine regions, is located in the South West of Western Australia. The first grapes were planted in 1977, with commercial plantings expanding through the 1980s. Pemberton is renowned for its ideal viticultural conditions, including its southern latitude and high altitude, which create a relatively cool climate and provide grapes with a sustained ripening period.
The region’s loamy, gravel soils and cool climate have proven to be among the best in Australia for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Pemberton is also well-suited to producing refined cool-climate wines from a variety of grape types.
The Site
The Picardy vineyard is thoughtfully situated on a gentle north-facing slope at an elevation of 200 metres, about 35 kilometres from the Southern Ocean. Bill Pannell selected this site for its well-drained loam and gravel soils, which are ideal for producing premium cool-climate wines, particularly Pinot Noir. The vineyard’s altitude and proximity to the ocean contribute to the cooling summer breezes, creating optimal conditions for exceptional wine production.
Viticultural Approach
Picardy employs a detailed viticultural approach to enhance grape quality. The vines are closely planted to promote competition and deeper root growth and are trained low to benefit from the heat radiating from the gravelly soils. The winery adheres to sustainable practices, including the use of cover crops like clover and annual grasses, composting vine prunings, and a non-cultivation policy to maintain soil structure and foster a healthy ecosystem.
Additional 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 guarantees minimal handling and preserves the grapes’ quality.
The Burgundian Clones
In the 1980s, Bill and Sandra Pannell’s involvement in Burgundy led to a significant clonal selection trial for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This trial identified several superior clones, including four Chardonnay clones (76, 95, 96, and 277) and three Pinot Noir clones (114, 115, and 777). These clones 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 for their high-quality wine production. The current selection also includes Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon, all chosen to enhance the complexity and character of the wines.
The Oak
At Picardy, oak is used to complement rather than overshadow the pure fruit of the Pemberton region. In 1998, Bill and Sandra Pannell sought out a top-tier barrel producer in Burgundy and discovered Tonnellerie Meyrieux Fils, which has since become a key supplier. Approximately 80% of Picardy’s barrels are sourced from this French cooperage. The Picardy cellar features oak from seven different producers with various toast levels and forest types, and ongoing trials aim to continually enhance the quality of their wines.
Picardy Wines
Picardy produces wines with finesse and complexity, including Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc. The wines are crafted to be enjoyable in their youth but also reward careful cellaring. The red wines are particularly noted for their vibrant colours and fine-grained tannins, a hallmark of the Pemberton region. The Chardonnay is produced in a delicate, refined style, reminiscent of great Old World wines.
While reading the August 1999 edition of Gourmet Traveller Magazine, Bill Pannell encountered a quote by Huon Hooke that perfectly encapsulates the Burgundian direction of Picardy’s winemaking approach:
“It puzzles many people why Australian pinot noirs are so different from the red wines of Burgundy, home of pinot noir. Often, one is pitted against the other in blind tastings, where inexperienced tasters rate good burgundy lower than some of the highly regarded Australian pinots. The up-front fruity charm of the Aussies, more accessible in their youth, seduces these tasters and they down point the burgundies for being closed, tannic, or apparently lacking fruit. In fact, most fine burgundy is made to be drunk later rather than sooner, and has quite different structure. It is more tightly wound, tannic and firm, and its charm takes time to reveal itself. It ages much longer than the Australian equivalent, evolving into a wondrously complex drink. While a good grand cru is hitting its peak at say, 20 years, Australian pinots have long since collapsed.”
Quote from Gourmet Traveller Magazine
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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.