2008 marks the 30th anniversary of the foundation of Voyager Estate. The journey from a parcel of earth to one of Australia’s most recognised estates is one of hard work, persistence and a desire for distinction. As we celebrate the achievements of the past 30 years, Adrienne Piercy, Voyager Estate accounts clerk and budding historian, takes us on some of the journey.

Many a Margaret River wine fan will know that, in December 1965, Dr. John Gladstone published a report in the journal of the Australian Institute of Agriculture Science stating that the soil and climate of the Margaret River area were extremely suitable for viticulture. Dr. Tom Cullity was the first to act upon Gladstone’s report by planting the first vineyard (Vasse Felix) in August 1967.

Voyager Estate has its origins under the label of “Freycinet”, which was started by Peter and Jennifer Gherardi in 1978. A first generation Italian-Australian, Peter had been brought up surrounded by wine and winemaking which he then complemented with a Wine Science degree.

Although the location of Stevens Road fell within the confines of Dr. Gladstone’s study, neither the study nor the degree could prepare Peter for the enormous quantity of rocks resting beneath the surface at Freycinet. They were literally in the way of any vineyard development. With all the work being done by Peter, Jennifer and Peter’s extended family, they worked tirelessly removing the rocks by hand before they could plant their first vine. Squeezing the development of the vineyard into every weekend and holiday, the closest thing to a real holiday for the Gherardi family was their caravan accommodation, located in a machinery shed for comfort.

But the reward did come… when the first Freycinet wine was made in 1984. It was a Cabernet Sauvignon and, with the winery yet to be constructed, it was made at Bill Ullinger’s Redgate Wines located down the road.

Peter experimented with several other varieties including Merlot, Grenache, Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. Some were more suited than others to the location, but the adaptability of the site to different varietals was nonetheless considerable, and typical of Margaret River sites. By the time Michael Wright came on the scene and bought the vineyard in 1991, Freycinet was well-established and had a reputation for producing premium fruit.

Michael’s own journey into vineyards and the wine business was via a different route to the Gherardis. A fourth generation Australian, Michael inherited a love of agriculture that goes back to the 1850s when his great-grandfather was farming in Scotland, and every generation of Wrights has farmed since. After years in wheat and wool, both limited by government intervention, Michael’s quest to diversify whilst staying in agriculture led him to the wine industry. His extensive knowledge of soils and climate meant he was very particular about the location for his new venture. Margaret River, with its budding reputation as a wine region to watch as well as being in Michael’s home state, seemed an obvious choice.

Over the next seven years, Michael conducted major improvements to the property and its infrastructure, including the name change to “Voyager Estate” and, most significantly, the creation of the Cape Dutch-style gardens and cellar door. A long time in the making, Voyager Estate finally opened its gates to the public in April 1998.

Since 1998, the vineyard has continued to grow with new vines being planted on average every two years. 2005 saw the completion of the underground barrel cellar. Out of sight of the public, the cellar sits beneath the beautiful flower beds and ponds of the werf garden above. It is a magnificent building and is reputed to be the biggest underground cellar in the Southern hemisphere.

The quality of the site and its infrastructure is reflected in the wines themselves and the experiences shared along with them. Whilst their success can be measured in a number of ways, Michael is most proud of the ‘Winemaker of the Year’, ‘Viticultural Excellence’ and the multiple ‘Gold Plate’ awards that have been won by individuals and teams in the company. Just as it took the expertise of two families, the Gherardis and the Wrights, to create Voyager Estate, it is the expertise of all our people and their dedication to excellence that keep Voyager Estate at the forefront of wine and wine tourism in Australia. Thank you to Peter Gherardi for helping with this article.