Peel, Western Australia
Peel lies between the Swan District and Perth Hills to the north, and Geographe to the south.
The European settlement of Peel dates back to 1829 when a visionary named Thomas Peel brought three ships of migrants from England for the Peel Settlement Scheme. In 1846 the first lead, silver and zinc mine was opened in West Australia. Although short-lived, it presaged the large-scale mineral sands, gold and bauxite mining and the processing operations that commenced during the 1970s.
The first commercial vineyard was established with a planting of Shiraz by Will Nairn at the Peel Estate in 1974. While most other varieties have also now been established, Shiraz remains the flagship variety for the region and Peel Estate its flagship producer.
The eastern extension of the Peel region incorporating the Darling plateau around Boddington/Wandering/Mount Saddleback includes very old granite and gravel soils. These are totally different to the limestone sands and fluvial sediments of the coastal area, which have significant ground-water reserves three to 15 metres (49 feet) below the surface.
The coastal region has a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and hot dry summers, with sea-breezes moderating extremes; inland and at higher altitudes land-breezes are stronger, rainfall lower and temperatures slightly lower.
Wineries
Amarillo Vines, Cape Bouvard Winery, Drakesbrook Wines, Hotham Ridge, Lake Clifton Vineyard & Winery, Newbliss, Peel Estate Winery, Peel Ridge, Plavins Vineyard, Riverbrook, Tuart Ridge, and Wandering Brook Estate.
Wine Notes
Chenin Blanc
This was the first white grape to be planted in Peel and is a popular variety throughout much of West Australia's wine regions. The wine is produced with or without oak and gains character and depth with short to medium-term cellaring.
Chardonnay
Planted in most of the localities throughout the region, this wine attests, to the versatility of the variety. Character notes range from melon and stonefruit to rich and buttery.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Planted in many parts and producing a medium-bodied wine, Cabernet is slightly firmer when grown inland at higher elelvations.
Shiraz
Not only is it the longest established, the Shiraz is arguably the most successful variety, particularly around the Peel Estate, which holds an annual Australia-wide Shiraz tasting, a major event in the annual calendar. Overall, the style is medium-bodied with sweet, fine, ripe tannins.
Vital Statistics
As the region is quite large, two sets of weather station statistics are given for varying altitudes.
Mandurah Park 1889-2001 Map Coordinates 32°31'S 115°44'E Altitude 15 m (49 feet) Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1802 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted) Sunshine hours, Oct-Apr 1912 (Gladstones) Annual rainfall 875 mm (34.4 inches) Growing season rainfall 173 mm (6.8 inches) Mean January temperature 23.1°C (74°F) Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm Average 49% Harvest Mid Feb - Mid Mar Wandering Comparison Map Coordinates 32º41´S 116º40´E Altitude 5-290 m (16 - 951 feet) Heat degree days, Oct-Apr 1731 (cut off at 19ºC (66.2ºF) but otherwise not adjusted) Sunshine Hours, Oct-Apr 1948 (Gladstones) Annual rainfall 614 mm (24.2 inches) Growing season rainfall 155 mm (6.1 inches) Mean January temperature 22.8º C (73º F) Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm Average 35% Harvest Feb - Apr