History of Vasse Felix
The Vasse Felix story begins with Dr Thomas Brendan Cullity, a visionary cardiologist whose passion for fine wine was awakened during his time in Britain in the 1950s. Inspired by the elegance of European wines and guided by the pioneering viticultural research of Dr John Gladstones and Professor Harold Olmo, Cullity searched for the perfect vineyard site in the untamed southwest of Australia. In 1967, he found his answer in Wilyabrup, a coastal pocket with red gravel soils over clay, protected by towering redgums and just kilometres from the Indian Ocean.
There, he planted 8 hectares of vines, including Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, and established rudimentary winemaking facilities—initially using repurposed hospital equipment. His early vintages faced scepticism and harsh conditions, but his determination laid the foundation for what would become one of Australia’s great estates.
In 1987, the estate was purchased by the Holmes à Court family, who have since nurtured Vasse Felix with unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, while remaining anchored to Cullity’s original vision: to make the best possible wine.
Chief Winemaker: Virginia Willcock
Appointed in 2006, Virginia Willcock is one of Australia’s most respected and awarded winemakers. A graduate of the renowned Roseworthy Agricultural College, Virginia brings over three decades of experience, including vintages in Italy, New Zealand, and Albania, to her role at Vasse Felix.
Her winemaking philosophy is grounded in minimal intervention and a deep reverence for vineyard expression. She is a champion of wild fermentation, extended lees contact, and small-batch vinification—all techniques that heighten complexity and highlight the individuality of each site.
Under her stewardship, Vasse Felix has elevated its reputation both nationally and internationally, with Virginia receiving numerous accolades, including:
- Australian Winemaker of the Year finalist (Gourmet Traveller Wine)
- Trophy for Most Outstanding Wine in Show at the Royal Adelaide Wine Show
- Recognition as one of the definitive voices of Margaret River terroir
Virginia’s leadership has helped shape Vasse Felix’s distinct style: wines of precision, purity and place, consistently praised for their structure, finesse, and ageability.
Region and Vineyards
Vasse Felix is located in the heart of Margaret River, a remote and pristine wine region in Western Australia that has emerged as one of the world’s premier sites for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The region’s unique terroir—ancient gravel-loam soils, a Mediterranean climate, and strong maritime influence—provides ideal conditions for slow, even ripening and the preservation of acidity, aromatic intensity, and structure.
Although Margaret River accounts for only 3% of Australia’s total grape production, it contributes over 20% of its premium wine market, a testament to its exceptional growing conditions and commitment to quality.
Vasse Felix farms three primary vineyards:
- Home Vineyard (Wilyabrup): The original site selected by Dr Cullity, situated along Wilyabrup Brook. This iconic vineyard delivers powerful yet refined Cabernet Sauvignon, marked by gravelly loam soils and ocean proximity that moderates temperature extremes.
- Karridale Vineyard: Located in the cooler southern part of the region, Karridale provides tension, brightness and aromatics, particularly valued in Chardonnay and white blends.
- Carbunup Vineyard: Known for its warmer conditions, Carbunup contributes generosity, ripeness and texture, making it an essential component in blending for volume and richness.
All vineyards are cultivated with sustainable and organic principles, with site-specific approaches to variety, row orientation, and canopy management. Grapes are hand-picked in small parcels, fermented and aged separately, and undergo a meticulous grading process from vineyard to barrique to final blend.
Wine Range of Vasse Felix
The estate’s production is centred around Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, with a clear emphasis on varietal clarity, regional integrity, and textural elegance. The portfolio is structured into four quality tiers:
- Icon Wines: Tom Cullity, the pinnacle of the estate’s red winemaking, sourced from the original 1967 vines and Heytesbury Chardonnay, an internationally acclaimed, complex white wine of fine tension and mineral drive.
- Premier Range: Classic expressions of Margaret River varietals, highlighting the purity of fruit and vineyard-driven character. Includes Premier Cabernet Sauvignon and Premier Chardonnay.
- Filius Range: A more approachable and youthful interpretation of the house style, showcasing vibrancy and freshness across Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc–Semillon blends.
- Classic Range: Everyday wines crafted with the same attention to detail and philosophy as the estate’s top-tier offerings.
Did you know?
The estate's name is a nod to local history: “Vasse” honours French sailor Thomas Vasse, who was lost at sea nearby in 1801, while “Felix” means happy or fortunate in Latin. Fittingly, Jancis Robinson MW once described Margaret River as "the closest thing to paradise in any wine region I have visited", a sentiment embodied by Vasse Felix’s enduring commitment to beauty, balance, and place.
