By Fergal Gleeson

Brookwood founders Trevor and Lynn Mann decided to upsticks from city life in Perth during a winery lunch and Brookwood Estate was born shortly afterwards in 1996.

Their daughter Bronnley Cahill is the now wine maker at Brookwood and remembers helping her parents along the way when they were establishing the 6 hectare vineyard.

“They were tenacious, hard-working and learnt as they went along. Their original plan was to live on the land and just grow grapes.”

Lyn spent some time working in the cellar at Woody Nook learning about winemaking and Trevor looked after the vineyard.  It was a huge undertaking for a couple with no winemaking experience.

Since then Brookwood have won trophies for their Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon and they focus their wine portfolio very much on their customers. “At our cellar door we are always listening to our customers, this helps us make our wines for them”

Their most popular wines are NV Bubbles, a sparkling wine; Mellow Rouge, a fruity and unoaked red wine made to be served chilled and a Chenin Blanc, which is a full boded, medium dry wine.

Bronnley is passionate about Chenin. “It’s an exceptional varietal. I had the wonderful opportunity to be involved in an exchange for wine professionals to the Loire Valley in France where they make amazing wines from Chenin Blanc.”

“This experience was a great source of inspiration for me. Brookwoods’ Chenin Blanc is crafted in rich and flavourful off-dry style so its pairs beautifully with spicy food, Asian cuisine or a strong flavoured cheese”

Along with their cellar door, Brookwood also has a restaurant that boasts 180 degree vineyard views and delivers a relaxed dining experience.

You can enjoy a main, share a platter or some tapas and with the added bonus of being licenced you can also enjoy local beers as well as their own wines.

“Our aim is to provide beautiful, delicious food and first class wines at affordable prices in a friendly and relaxed environment.”

For more visit www.brookwood.com.au

This is an excerpt from an article that appeared in the winter edition of Your Margaret River Region Magazine