“Amber” Wilyabrup 2022 – Cullen

The idea behind the “Amber” Wilyabrup Cullen is to make a white wine like a red wine. A portion of the Sauvignon Blanc grapes were placed into open and closed fermenters, as well as amphorae where they were left on skins for 10 days to create layers and complexity to the wine, before pressing. The wine was then matured for an average of three months in used French oak, before bottling.

The soils at Cullen are old granite and gravelly sandy loam, overlaying lateritic subsoils. The vines were planted from 1976-1978, and are grown on Scott Henry and Lyre trellising systems, allowing for healthy fruit to grow on vigorous vines with dense canopies. A small portion of this wine has come from younger Sauvignon Blanc vines, planted in 1988, contributing to the strength of character in the fruit profile.

Cullen Wines is a certified biodynamic, carbon neutral and naturally powered estate, with their philosophy summed up in three simple words; ‘Quality, Integrity and Sustainability’. It is one of the oldest and most awarded family wineries in Wilyabrup, in Western Australia’s famous Margaret River region. First established in 1971 by Dr Kevin and Diana Cullen and now run by their daughter Vanya, the winery has built an outstanding reputation for fine certified biodynamic wines that receive critical national and international acclaim. In 2019, celebrating 30 years at the helm, Vanya received double Winemaker of the Year honours at both the Australian Women in Wine Awards and the Halliday Wine Companion Awards.