Aylesbury Estate
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Ryan Gibbs, the owner/operator of Aylesbury Estate, has a rich family history in the Ferguson Valley. Pioneers of the area, the Gibbs family migrated to Western Australia from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire in 1844. The Gibbs family arrived in the Ferguson Valley in 1883, and since that day, the family has lived and worked on the same piece of land, passed down an unbroken chain of succession through five generations. Historically, they have produced citrus, stone-fruit, potatoes and dairy. Ryan now focuses on beef production and of course, high quality wine-grapes.
Located in the Ferguson Valley within the Geographe wine region, the Aylesbury Estate property is home to a 200 strong Angus beef breeding herd, complimented with vineyard plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and most recently, Vermentino. This fruit is used in the Pater Series, QO5 and Waterfall Gully ranges. Since 2018, they expanded their property to include the highly awarded 52 Stones Vineyard, where they grow Chardonnay, Arneis and Gamay.
The Ferguson Valley climate is similar to Western Europe – with the Douro Valley of Portugal being the most alike. Cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers provide the perfect conditions for grape-growing. The native Australian forests surrounding the property provide pure, clean water for the vines throughout summer. This pristine environment is incredibly well suited to the production of high-quality grapes, which in turn helps Aylesbury Estate to create beautifully complex and balanced wines.
Put simply, these wines are wonderful. Their Gamay is, by far, the best Aussie example we have ever sampled and more akin to Pinot Noir than Gamay. That said, Gamay it is and recognisably so, but with more deliciousness thrown in… Aylesbury Estate, in my humble opinion, produce wines which deliver absolute satisfaction.
I have sampled, re-sampled and taken every bottle home with me (several times, if truth be known). Each time, and each bottle, I am left with a euphoric grin.
Hail fabulously made wines, full of personality, packed with flavour and superbly priced. I hope my tasting notes provide the key to unlock their competitively priced brilliance.
