Margaret River’s first cellar door reopens with a new intimate wine experience
Established in 1975, Gralyn Estate has reopened its original cellar door, Margaret River’s first, adding a new intimate wine experience for visitors.
Wine lovers have the rare chance to get a behind the scenes experience in a small group setting to taste museum wines that date back to 1980, perfectly preserved in Gralyn Estate’s temperature-controlled cellar.
Annette and Scott Baxter, second-generation Gralyn Estate owners, viticulturists, and winemakers, will lead small group experiences at their Wilyabrup vineyard and winery, taking visitors from grape to glass.
“Opening up the old Gralyn Cellars, which was the region’s first cellar door back in 1978, is something we’ve been looking forward to for some time,” says Scott Baxter.
“When Annette and I took the helm after Annette’s parents retired, we found perfectly preserved barrels of aged wines and fortified wines, carefully stored at the back of the climate-controlled cellar.
“What we have here is unique, the first cellar door in its original state, tucked away for years beneath our modern cellar door - there’s people who remember that space, which is pretty much as it was with a few modern touches.
“Now we’re sharing it with new generations of wine drinkers who are curious to see it and taste museum wines that might be as old or older than they are – the whole experience gives a real sense of our journey at Gralyn Estate.”
Guests will taste a selection of cornerstone varietals, namely Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, or premium fortified wines, many from the estate’s museum stock.
Annette Baxter, daughter of Gralyn Estate’s founders, says she remembers the early days and the transition from running cattle to producing premium wines.
“Gralyn Estate’s story is part of the Margaret River wine story but it’s also my family history,” says Annette Baxter.
“From the start, my parents cellared wine from each vintage, and it’s exceptional to have wine of this age and quality available in a tasting experience.
“The expectation of cellar door experiences has evolved over the past few years, and while many are still happy to plot a course tasting through the region, and we’re always happy to tip our guests as to where to go next, there’s also a thirst for these more immersive experiences, like the one we’ve created.
“We’re both super excited to share our little piece of Margaret River history, giving guests an idea of what it would have been like back in the early days and the chance to taste some aged and very rare wines.”
Quiet pioneers of the Margaret River Wine Region, Graham and Merilyn Hutton founded Gralyn Estate in 1975 and named the estate with a blend of their first names.
Gralyn Estate wines are only available at the cellar door, online at www.gralyn.com.au and in a few select restaurants.
Experience Essentials:
Advance booking essential.
Duration: 1.5hr from 10.30am
Cost: $495 per group, suitable for 2-4 people (larger groups can be accommodated on request)
Premium Fortified Experience: Tawny, Classic Muscat, Artizan Rare Muscat, Museum Rare Muscat, 1981 Vintage Fortified
Premium Wine Experience: 2018 Chardonnay, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
Hero bottles (1981 Vintage Fortified / 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon) will be sealed and recorked to take home. Bespoke tasting with requested vintages is available subject to availability.
Established in 1975, Gralyn Estate has reopened its original cellar door, Margaret River’s first, adding a new intimate wine experience for visitors.
Wine lovers have the rare chance to get a behind the scenes experience in a small group setting to taste museum wines that date back to 1980, perfectly preserved in Gralyn Estate’s temperature-controlled cellar.
Annette and Scott Baxter, second-generation Gralyn Estate owners, viticulturists, and winemakers, will lead small group experiences at their Wilyabrup vineyard and winery, taking visitors from grape to glass.
“Opening up the old Gralyn Cellars, which was the region’s first cellar door back in 1978, is something we’ve been looking forward to for some time,” says Scott Baxter.
“When Annette and I took the helm after Annette’s parents retired, we found perfectly preserved barrels of aged wines and fortified wines, carefully stored at the back of the climate-controlled cellar.
“What we have here is unique, the first cellar door in its original state, tucked away for years beneath our modern cellar door - there’s people who remember that space, which is pretty much as it was with a few modern touches.
“Now we’re sharing it with new generations of wine drinkers who are curious to see it and taste museum wines that might be as old or older than they are – the whole experience gives a real sense of our journey at Gralyn Estate.”
Guests will taste a selection of cornerstone varietals, namely Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, or premium fortified wines, many from the estate’s museum stock.
Annette Baxter, daughter of Gralyn Estate’s founders, says she remembers the early days and the transition from running cattle to producing premium wines.
“Gralyn Estate’s story is part of the Margaret River wine story but it’s also my family history,” says Annette Baxter.
“From the start, my parents cellared wine from each vintage, and it’s exceptional to have wine of this age and quality available in a tasting experience.
“The expectation of cellar door experiences has evolved over the past few years, and while many are still happy to plot a course tasting through the region, and we’re always happy to tip our guests as to where to go next, there’s also a thirst for these more immersive experiences, like the one we’ve created.
“We’re both super excited to share our little piece of Margaret River history, giving guests an idea of what it would have been like back in the early days and the chance to taste some aged and very rare wines.”
Quiet pioneers of the Margaret River Wine Region, Graham and Merilyn Hutton founded Gralyn Estate in 1975 and named the estate with a blend of their first names.
Gralyn Estate wines are only available at the cellar door, online at www.gralyn.com.au and in a few select restaurants.
Experience Essentials:
Advance booking essential.
Duration: 1.5hr from 10.30am
Cost: $495 per group, suitable for 2-4 people (larger groups can be accommodated on request)
Premium Fortified Experience: Tawny, Classic Muscat, Artizan Rare Muscat, Museum Rare Muscat, 1981 Vintage Fortified
Premium Wine Experience: 2018 Chardonnay, 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon
Hero bottles (1981 Vintage Fortified / 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon) will be sealed and recorked to take home. Bespoke tasting with requested vintages is available subject to availability.
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