Explore Wignalls Wines
With the planting of the first ten acres of vines in 1982, Wignalls King River vineyard was up and running as a prestigious Australian small label. Wignalls Wines is a traditional winery operated by Bill Wignall, his wife Pat and son Robert. Growing grapevines was completely new for the family and for the new internationally recognised GI sub wine-growing region, “Albany” of the “Great Southern”.
The Wignalls judgement proved correct, and results were not long coming. The very first vintage in 1985 created a lot of excitement – the Pinot Noir won a major Gold Medal and subsequently the 1985 Chardonnay won Australia’s richest wine prize (an all expenses paid trip to France’s famous wine regions) for Western Australia’s “Best Table Wine”.
Development of the Albany vineyard has proceeded steadily with approximately 35,000 vines or 22 hectares in loving care.
Wignalls believe that localised conditions or “Terroir” is the main reason for the numerous successes that we have achieved. Perfect attention to detail, with a sophisticated trellis system to maximise sunlight access and air circulation do assist with vineyard growing practices. Pruning (June, July) and picking (March, April) is by hand, thus the wine is as natural and clean as is possible. Also Wignalls have had a strict policy of not spraying pesticides since 1988 and work on a “Permaculture” system of were the vineyard works with nature and not against. Also Wignalls only produce straight varietal styled wines and have no intention of ever making a “classic white or red” wine.
In 1997 the Wignall family decided to erect a modern winery at the vineyard to maximise the benefits of the superior grapes they were producing. With a number of vintages now in bottle, the move has proven to be a wise one. As a result the future looks very promising for this family operated “Boutique” winery.
2002 sees a new era in winemaking for the brand with a major upgrade of the Wignalls label. 20 years since establishment was a perfect opportunity for a new label to be released and also to welcome Bills son Rob to senior management.
October 2004 has now seen the family succession taking place with Robert and Claire Wignall now taking the full reign of Wignalls wines over from parents, Dr Bill and Pat Wignall.
Biography on Wignalls Winemaker – Micheal Perkins
Micheal Perkins (alias Mick) joined Wignalls just before vintage 2007. Mick was originally employed in the mining industry as an industrial chemist then joined an exciting industry called the wine industry! Mick has been in the wine industry in the Great Southern since 1997, in bottling technology, then progressed to cellar hand, laboratory technician and progressed to production winemaker for Goundrey wines. Since then, Mick has attended the Australian Wine Research Institution in “advanced assessment course” in 2004, topping the class for red wine assessment. Mick lives in nearby Denmark with wife Janet and three fantastic boys all in schooling in Denmark.
