About Our Sustainable Winery
in Margaret River – Passel Estate
Our Story: A Small Family-Owned Winery in Margaret River
Owners Wendy and Barry Stimpson originate from England and South Africa respectively. Over numerous visits to Margaret River they fell in love with the region’s pristine natural environment and its world class wines.
They made Margaret River their home in 2005, and in 2011 they found the picturesque property, with established vineyards and natural bushland areas, that now comprises Passel Estate.
“We fell in love with the property from the moment we walked on it – it was a purchase of pure emotion.”
Wendy and Barry Stimpson, Passel Estate Owners
The Margaret River Wine Region
“Margaret River is the closest thing to paradise of any wine region I have visited in my extensive search for knowledge.”
Jancis Robinson MW
The Margaret River wine region stretches 100km from north to south, surrounded by ocean on three sides.
The maritime influence on premium viticulture within the region is undeniable; grapes benefit from ample sunlight hours during ripening, whilst the cooling sea breezes moderate temperature. With a reliable maritime-based Mediterranean climate and ancient gravel soils, the Margaret River wine region is blessed with ideal conditions for fine wine production.
Our wines are known for their fruit purity, elegance, structure and consistency. Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the region’s flagship varieties.
With less than 60 years of history, the Margaret River wine region is now regarded as one of the premier wine regions globally.
Regional Fact File — Margaret River wine region snapshot (Source: Wine Australia)
Regional Fact File (Source: Wine Australia)
Latitude: 33º 57’S – 38º 29’S
Altitude: 40m
Heat Degree Days: 1690
Mean January Temp: 20.4ºC
Growing Season Rainfall: 200mm
Chief Viticultural Hazard: Bird pressure
Climate: Overall climate is similar to Bordeaux in a dry year; the most marked maritime climate of any region in Australia. Low diurnal temperature range leads to very even heat accumulation, ideal for Margaret River wineries focused on quality and sustainability.
Soil: The ridge from Cape Naturaliste to Cape Leeuwin is predominantly gravelly loam on granite and gneiss; overall water-holding capacity is low — classic terroir for sustainable wineries in Margaret River and precision viticulture across Margaret River vineyards and the winegrowing industry.
Sustainable Winegrowing at Passel Estate
Passel Estate is proud to be a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia.
Our vineyard was first planted in 1994 with Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc were later established. The vineyard is gently sloping, with vines planted on original root stocks in ironstone-based gravel loams. Rows are oriented north-south and a VSP (Vertical Shoot Positioning) trellis system is used throughout. A combination of cane pruning (Cabernet Sauvignon) and spur pruning (Shiraz and Chardonnay) is employed. Shoot thinning, leaf removal and bunch thinning are used to reduce cropping to target yields, as well as expose fruit to morning sunlight and encourage air flow.
Experienced viticulturist Tim Quinlan manages the vineyard year-round, working closely with our winemakers for precision winegrowing. With a first-class honours degree in biology, Tim started his career as a botanist before moving into the wine industry over 30 years ago. He is rigorous in his adoption of sustainable practices throughout the vineyard, from water management through to soil biodiversity and pest management. Mid-row cover cropping is one such practice that is used effectively to address these areas.
Our deep respect for biodiversity and the natural environment is why Passel Estate is also leading the charge in the protection of native wildlife. Learn more about our Conservation Mission
Passel Estate is a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, confirming our commitment to environmentally responsible winegrowing and 360 degree sustainable business practices.
“Passel Estate is blessed with soils comprising classic gravelly loams over clay loam that facilitate the production of iconic Margaret River fruit”
Tim Quinlan, Viticulturist
Winemaking Excellence from our Margaret River Winery
Highly awarded winemaker Bruce Dukes applies the art and science of winemaking in equal measure, crafting premium wine in small volumes that are a unique expression of the special place that is our Margaret River vineyard.
Bruce’s approach to winemaking has been shaped by an impressive formal education, based in Agricultural Science and Viticulture & Enology, as well as decades of applied industry experience working with iconic producers in Napa Valley and Margaret River.
Passel Estate wines are defined by their perfumed fruit character, structure, balance and an uncompromising commitment to quality. They are a rare discovery; volumes made are small, given the quality-driven low yields and single vineyard focus.
“He (Bruce Dukes) articulates the art and science of winemaking with elegance and ease. Dukes knows the finest wines are made vine by vine, berry by berry.”
Professor Steven Kolpan (Professor of Wine Studies at the Culinary Institute of America)
Frequently Asked Questions
Passel Estate is a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. This involves regular independent audits of our sustainable practices, such as cover cropping, soil biodiversity management and water conservation.
Yes. Passel Estate is a small family-owned winery in Margaret River, which was founded and is managed by owners Wendy and Barry Stimpson.
The Margaret River wine region is one of the world's most remote wine-growing areas and a biodiversity hotspot. Together with its Mediterranean climate, ancient gravel soils, and strong maritime influence, these characteristics make Margaret River one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world.
Passel Estate is an eco-friendly winery in Margaret River. Beyond producing premium, sustainable wines, the estate provides sanctuary for endangered Western Ringtail Possums and other native species by rehabilitating bushland and encouraging biodiversity on the property. Learn more.
The owners have assembled a team of like-minded experts to bring their vision for Passel Estate to life. The vineyard is managed by viticulturist Tim Quinlan, who applies sustainable practices to nurture the vines. The wines are then crafted by Bruce Dukes, one of the most respected winemakers in the region. Together we produce small-batch wines that reflect the beauty and terroir of our Margaret River vineyard.