Meet the Margaret River Maker: Wendy Stimpson from Passel Estate

The Margaret River Wine Association has published this charming interview with Passel Estate co-founder, Wendy Stimpson.  Pour yourself a glass of wine and spend a few minutes discovering Wendy’s tale. MRWA’s blog might just tempt you to explore the beauty of Passel Estate yourself.

“My husband, Barry, is from the Cape Winelands of South Africa, and together we have always loved wine and, while working as lawyers internationally, dreamt of one day doing something in the wine industry,” says Wendy Stimpson of Passel Estate.

“Many years ago, we visited Margaret River and fell in love with the beautiful natural landscape and stunning wines of the region. We subsequently completed studies in viticulture and viniculture, and then, having already made Margaret River our home, we discovered and purchased the property which allowed us to create Passel Estate.”

“From there, we followed our dreams…”

From vines first planted in 1994, Passel Estate, a relatively young producer, is making single vineyard and single varietal wines that have been making a splash in local and international wine shows of recent years. They are focused on classic Margaret River wine styles, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and have recently launched a traditional method sparkling Chenin Blanc.

The natural charm of their wines is accentuated at their property, which is home to a wildlife sanctuary.

“The natural bushland reserve on the property, comprises some of the oldest peppermint trees in the region (as well as Jarrah, Marri and Xanthorrhoea -grass- trees),” Wendy explains.

A family (or Passel) of endangered Western Ringtail Possums was relocated here following the 2011 Margaret River bushfires, and the owners continue to support and provide sanctuary to endangered native species within the estate.

It’s a truly special to experience this via their Nature and Wine Walk tour. The tasting room itself offers deluxe wine and cheese or wine and chocolate bon bon paired tastings, and Passel Estate was recognised in the 2020 Gourmet Traveller Wine Best Cellar Door Awards as ‘Margaret River’s Best Tasting Experience.’

If you get a chance to try the Lot 71 Reserve wines at Passel Estate, make sure you take it, particularly their Syrah.

“The grape I get most excited by is the Syrah. It requires so much dedication in the vineyard, to carefully manage the canopy through the growing season so that the berries receive generous morning sunlight yet are protected from the stronger afternoon rays to ensure consistent and perfectly ripe bunches – berries, stems, stalks all – which we then hand-pick for the partial whole cluster fermentation to produce our stunning Lot 71 Reserve Syrah,” Wendy says.

Images by Ovis Creative.