As one of Margaret River’s ‘founding five’ wineries, Cape Mentelle pioneered many of the region’s renowned wine styles and today is a benchmark for the quality of the region’s wines.
Wine industry pioneer David Hohnen and brothers Mark and Giles established Cape Mentelle Vineyards in 1970. The Cape Mentelle journey started small with just 16 hectares of vines planted on what is now referred to as the ‘Wallcliffe Vineyard’. In the early years David Hohnen experimented with grape varieties including shiraz, cabernet, zinfandel, sauvignon blanc and semillon. Many of these original plantings are the source of the distinctive wines that have come to characterise Cape Mentelle. The winery’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon is sourced primarily from the original Wallcliffe Vineyard.
Cape Mentelle unashamedly draw inspiration from the great wines of the world; this is reflected in the techniques employed in the vineyard as they aim to produce wines that capture a unique sense of place in every bottle. These characteristics are defined by the pristine coastal location, unique soils and 40 years of viticultural history.
Cape Mentelle's philosophy extends beyond the glass as they endeavour to create a legacy of sustainability and longevity. Constantly improving the potential of their vineyards and local environments, they are committed to paving the way for the next generation to continue the pursuit of crafting Australia's definitive wine styles.