Pierro, Margaret River
Pierro came about through a touch of serendipity and the passion and beliefs of Dr Michael Peterkin.
Wherever our wines are enjoyed around the world today they invariably impart a tangible trace of their idyllic place of origin – warm southern climes, ancient soils, healthy vines and years of skilled hands-on viticulture and winemaking.
We are fortunate that our beautiful Wilyabrup vineyard is located in what is widely regarded among the finest wine grape growing terrain in the world. Located in the heart of Western Australia’s renowned Margaret River wine region, this far-flung locality has viticultural pedigree second to none.
Surrounded by open water on three sides between capes Leeuwin and Naturaliste, the wine region is almost completely free of pollutants and contaminants. Year-round, it is swept by pure, cool sea breezes, blowing in off the Indian and Southern Oceans. Mild wet winters and sun-splashed summer seasons add to the viticultural equation.
Innovation from the outset:
During his first vintage in Margaret River in 1979, Mike introduced two wine styles which have become the mainstay of winemaking in the district. He produced the first semillon sauvignon blanc blend in Australia. The style is unique and refreshing, as it emphasizes the fruit flavours and aromas in the wine.
Similarly with red wine in 1979, Mike was the first to make cabernet sauvignon and merlot blends with a touch of cabernet franc and malbec. This is now the pre-eminent wine style in Margaret River.
Home to a truly great Chardonnay:
In the words of Jeremy Oliver, one of Australia’s most highly respected wine writers:
“Pierro is one of the few Australian wineries that could claim to have established a trend that many others have followed. Since the mid-1980’s Mike Peterkin has crafted a Chardonnay of not only monumental power, but of simultaneously smooth and silky delivery.
Pierro Chardonnay is the role model for so many of Australia’s more opulent and hedonistically proportioned chardonnays and is a stunning expression of Margaret River Chardonnay.
Balance of life:
Just as Pierrot personifies life’s intricacies and passions, Pierro wine is a wonderfully complex balance of sensual and fascinating elements. In a world where mediocrity can become a pervasive norm, the wines of Pierro are a shining exception. We make no secret that care, attention to detail and quality are our primary objectives.
We hope we have paid our dues through many years of perseverance and struggle, to produce wine that incorporates land and culture. We seek to be efficient land-users and to respect the land. Our aim is to be at the cutting edge of wine as agriculture, art and responsible land use.
