Our Vineyard
As with all Margaret River vineyards, the main influences on the quality of grapes are the sunny, dry ripening seasons, and the cooling influence of the Indian Ocean.
The photograph below shows a typical sunny summer morning in Margaret River. By 10:00am, the strip of blue ocean will be flecked with the white-caps of the incoming sea-breeze, and by 11:00am the breeze will arrive with a cooling rush at the gates of Rosily Vineyard...30 seconds later even the far end of the Merlot rows will be given respite from the building heat!
The differing wine characteristics of the various sub regions of Margaret River are basically a result of the distance from the ocean, and the overall latitude of the sub region. Rosily Vineyard is found in the heart of the Willyabrup sub region, which is close to the coast and of a central to slightly northern latitude within the region.
The differences between wines produced within the Willyabrup sub region are to a large extent due the differing soil characteristics and micro-climates of the individual vineyards. Rosily vineyard is planted on a gentle hill sloping down to a tributary of the Willyabrup brook, which flows in the winter months. The soil types vary from deep gravelly loams, to coarse gravels, to lighter sandy soils over a clay base.
The importance of the health of these soils is paramount to the quality of our wines, and sustainability of our vineyard is also recognised as being vital. We have established a permanent cover crop of clover and grass; the clover adds nitrogen to the soil over the winter months, which ensures healthy growth of the grasses, which are slashed late in the spring to provide organic matter for the soil under the vines.
All of our varieties are planted on rows running from east to west, which are 3.3m apart. Along the rows the vines are spaced at 1.8m intervals, giving 1684 vines per hectare.
Our Winery
Our purpose built winery was designed and constructed by Innovest in early 2000. The design allows for the red fermenters to be gravity drained into the press, and for the press to then be "gravity emptied" into the waiting trailer for transfer to our mulching piles. The external walls are constructed using thermomass technology which keeps the interior cool, allowing for perfect barrel aging conditions in the barrel store. The winery's water requirements are met 100% by collecting rainwater off the roof. The liquid effluent produced is pumped to a soak, which if filled is automatically spread under hundreds of purposely planted eucalypts via a system of sprinklers.
"Winery Door Sales"
If you are lucky enough to be in the Margaret River region on a weekend or in the summer holidays, you are welcome to come out to the property to see the vines and taste the wines. Our "cellar door" should probably be renamed the “winery door” - it is not a flashy shop selling everything from Aprons to Zork openers, but is literally an open door to our working winery.
At Rosily, we very much focus on growing the best grapes possible, and transforming them into the best bottles of wine possible.
Park your car opposite the golden Cabernet block, and come inside…we will be happy to take a break from the repetitive task of sticking medal stickers on bottles, and welcome you to Rosily. Behind you are the Chardonnay barrels, to your right the stainless steel wine tanks, above you the red fermenters, and best of all, right in front of you is our range of estate grown and much sought after wines.
Being a working winery means that we are not always able to open, so it pays to call ahead (on 08 9755 6336) to make sure that the winery door is open to the public...and not just to the winemaker! (If we are closed, free tastings of our range are available at The Regional Wine Centre in nearby Cowaramup town).