Let's Start With a Bit of Trivia!

A mythical Margaret River ‘wolf’ was not the inspiration for the Howling Wolves name. Rather, it was the founders’ love of American ‘Blues’ music, in particular their all time “hall of fame” favourite, the legendary Chester Burnett - aka “Howlin’ Wolf”. So, in August 2004 while listening to a howler of a version of “The Wolf is at your door” the ‘Howling Wolf’ brand was born - to be changed later that year to ‘Howling Wolves’, after discovering a tiny appellation called Wolfe in Germany, that disallowed the use of the great man’s moniker. But we all remember ‘the Wolf’ and lift a glass to Chester every time we open a bottle of our finest, first named in his honour. Now, in our 10th anniversary year, the Wolves are about to howl at Rivendell Estate and there’ll be a picture of Howlin’ hanging in pride of place in the Cellar Door.

“We are truly blessed with the hallowed terroir of Margaret River. Now renowned throughout the wine-world and likened by local vignerons to God’s own vineyard."

Some 300 kilometers south of the WA capital Perth, the vineyards of Margaret River meander gracefully over over more than 80 kilometres up the south west coast of Western Australia, in a narrow strip spreading running between the Indian Ocean and the towering Marri forests running to the east. The Margaret River region is divided into five sub-regions, featuring distinctive microclimates and terroir, with great differences from the warmer northern Yallingup and Willyabrup sub regions to cool-climate of Karridale

Surrounded by the sea on three sides, the Margaret River region enjoys a strong ‘maritime climate’. The region has the most noticeable Mediterranean climate in Australia, in relation to rainfall.

Additionally, the low seasonal temperature range results in an unusually even accrual of warmth. In temperature terms, the overall climate is similar to that of the French Bordeaux regions of Pomerol and St. Emillion, in a dry vintage, so it’s no wonder the quality of its Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Chardonnay is so good.

The essential maritime influence is almost perfectly balanced with the prevailing geography providing a degree of protection from winds blowing in from the ocean. The soil is predominantly gravelly or gritty sandy loam that has formed directly from the underlying granite and ancient bedrock - hallowed ground for the premium vines that flourish here.

To fully express the fruits of this great terroir we employ the celebrated winemaking skills, experience and resources of a 5-Star James Halliday rated winery.

Here time-honoured traditional methods and skills are combined with state-of-the-art, ‘new-world’ winemaking technology to vintner a range of premium and super-premium wines of exceptional quality.  The winery crushes over 1,600 tonne per vintage and has tank and oak storage capacity in excess of 1.5 million litres.  And under the watchful eyes of to the Howling Wolves winemaking team, nothing is overlooked, no corners cut and only the very best winemaking practices, many pioneered in Margaret River, are employed.

This creates wines that are always varietally correct and unmistakably Margaret River whether you want to enjoy now or, if you really have the willpower, lay down for many rewarding years to come.