| Leeuwin Estate Winery has been at the forefront | | | | birds, which are natural predators to wineries, |
| of the Australian wine industries rise to | | | | especially in Australia where they migrate each |
| prominence since its inception in 1972. One of the | | | | winter, the estate has decided that instead of |
| original estates in the Margaret River district, the | | | | netting the vines which can be expensive, affect |
| estate was founded by Australians Denis and | | | | grape ripeness and are sometimes ineffective |
| Tricia Horgan with famous American vintner | | | | that a better choice is to offer other alternatives |
| Robert Mondavi in a consulting role, Mondavi at | | | | for food on the property. As it turns out |
| that time was in the middle of his quest to bring | | | | sunflowers are a favorite snack for the parrots |
| fine wine to Australia. | | | | which are the most consistent pest on the |
| Located in South Western Australia the Margaret | | | | property, so sunflowers are grown at regular |
| River district is situated close to the ocean and | | | | intervals on the property with much success. |
| receives the advantage of the cooler | | | | The only Australian Winery to ever be named as |
| temperatures accorded to it from the on shore | | | | Wine Spectator's international winery of the year |
| breeze during summer months. There is also a | | | | on three separate occasions the quality of wine |
| natural forest which separates the district from | | | | being produced at Leeuwin Estate is truly among |
| the extreme weather found in the desert of the | | | | the best in the world. Although they make a |
| Australian outback. This unique geography has | | | | number of different varietals the focuses here |
| given rise to not only amazing wine in this | | | | are both Chardonnay which is planted from |
| temperature picturesque district, but also to an | | | | California clones and Shiraz. I find their Shiraz |
| upscale tourism industry which provides plenty of | | | | especially interesting because the grapes are from |
| capital for wineries to continually improve their | | | | a somewhat cooler climate then many are |
| product. | | | | accustomed to in Australia. This gives the wine, in |
| Although it may seem an ideal environment to | | | | my mind, a more balanced approach then some |
| grow grapes, the Leeuwin Estate does face | | | | of the overly fruity wines which have made |
| challenges in the way of both wind damage to | | | | Australian wineries famous in the past. It is the |
| vines and birds eating the grapes. To deal with | | | | ability of Leeuwin Estates to create this balance |
| the deadly force of wind the estate makes sure | | | | both in their wine and with their environment that |
| to keep a natural wind break by keeping a dense | | | | make them one of the truly great wineries in the |
| tree line around the vineyard as well as planting | | | | world. |
| rye shrubs after every second vine. To deal with | | | | |