About Driftwood
“One of Margaret River's most iconic vineyards, since 1989”
Located in the stunning Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River, Western Australia, Driftwood Estate is a boutique winery, known for its award-winning Single Site and Artifacts wines.
The vineyard draped on picturesque gravelly slopes a stones-throw from the Indian Ocean, was initially a romantic country retreat before Tom and Helen Galopoulos decided to transform the estate into a local winery in 1989.
With a location that offers free-draining soils and a mild maritime climate, the couple knew the space would be perfect for creating flavourful wines of character and distinction, with the winery immediately received acclaim when its first wine, a Semillon produced in 1993, won a special commendation in a British competition.
In 2009, leading Australian wine writer James Halliday rated Driftwood Estate as, "one of the best wineries in the Margaret River region". With multiple awards since then, including the 2018 Wine Companion rating Driftwood Estate as a 5-Star Winery, Driftwood has earnt the title of one of Margaret River's Top Wineries.
One of the first estates in the region, Driftwood vines have had years of nurturing to ensure they produce premium fruit showcasing the Wilyabrup sub-region beautifully.
The winemaking philosophy behind the Driftwood wines is one of simplicity – quality wines are made in the vineyard. While winemaking can have a positive input, having premium quality fruit is essential. This is why Driftwood Estate is so fortunate to be located in one of the greatest viticultural areas in the world, sourcing super premium fruit year in and year out.
With premium quality fruit, our wine-making philosophy is all about protecting and expressing the qualities found in the grapes, so that the wine lover can enjoy the pure, varietal and regional flavours from the Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River.
The wines are produced under four labels, Single Site, Artifacts, The Collection, and Oceania.
Our Single Site range of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon showcases the best of Driftwood Estate. Over the years, our vineyards have grown in maturity and pedigree, and we have produced Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from the 2016 vintage to reflect this, with releases occurring soon.
Artifacts are the more complex styles, demonstrating the intense characters old vine fruit can develop, and once in the winery, utilising oak influence and subtle winemaking techniques resulting in wines of strength, elegance, and integrity that will drink beautifully young whilst also rewarding careful cellaring.
The Collection range showcases fruit-driven, regionally renowned wines that are designed to be enjoyed in their youth – vibrant blends and crisp, clean wines for everyday drinking.
The Oceania range is predominately a cellar door and online range, offering a Rosé, a White Blend, a Sparkling and a Tawny.
The beautiful branding takes Driftwood back to its beginnings, with small batch, hand-crafted wines showing how age and experience in the wine world can lead to memorable Collections and stunning Artifacts for people to enjoy now and into the future.
