Winemaking
Swan Valley & Margaret River
Sittella Winery and vineyard are located in the heart of the Swan Valley and only 30 minutes from Perth by car. The Swan Valley vineyards thrive in the fertile soils and a Mediterranean climate of hot dry summers and mild wet winters, producing a range of rich, full flavoured wines.
Over the past two decades, the Margaret River area has become world renowned for the production of some of Australia’s finest premium wines. Sittella sources fruit from its own Margaret River Vineyard ‘Buckshot Ridge’ in Wilyabrup. And premium Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for our Sparkling program from Pemberton.
Margaret River’s temperate maritime climate, with its generous winter rainfall, subdued summer temperatures and frost-free spring, provides the ideal growing conditions for the production of outstanding premium varietal wine styles. Vines are grown on undulating land in some of the best soils in the area – red/brown, well-drained gravelly loams.
Extensive vineyard redevelopment under the guiding hand of company vineyard managers has resulted in significantly improved yields and quality. Over the past five years, production along with quality has increased dramatically with an annual crush of over 120 tonnes since 2008.
Sittella Estate Vineyard
Located in the Swan Valley, on a stretch of fertile land 20 km north-east of Perth. In this upper river district, with the Darling Ranges to the east and the Indian Ocean to the west, the warm Mediterranean style climate provides steady winter rainfall and hot, dry summers which produce grapes of wonderful flavour, richness, balance and style. The water supply is a trickle system using bore water.
Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay & Shiraz, vines grow over a 5 hectare allotment on rich alluvial sandy loam soils (3 hectares under vine). Recent plantings also include Tempranillo, Grenache, Touriga Nacional, Albarino, Mencia & Graciano.
‘Buckshot Ridge’ Margaret River
Located at Willyabrup, 260 kms south west of Perth. The region’s temperate southern climate has been likened to Bordeaux with its generous winter rainfall, freedom from spring frosts and subdued summer temperatures – the ideal growing conditions for international wine styles. With 2.5 hectares of undulating land and soils are amongst the best in the area. Comprised of red brown loam with some gravel that ensures good natural drainage.
Sittella originally planted Semillon, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon with recent additions of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Touriga Nacional to develop a classic red Blend.
Winemakers
Senior Winemaker - Yuri Berns
Yuri started his career off at Sittella as a trainee in winemaking in 2004. He worked vintages at Clos Pegase Wines in the Napa Valley/California, and at Howard Park in Margaret River. Yuri Berns commenced Curtin University in 2009, graduating in oenology and viticulture in 2011. In 2010 Yuri won the “Vin du Champagne award” at CIVC as a Student for which he was invited to Champagne, where he was a guest for 2 weeks. In 2013 Yuri went back to Champagne to work for the House of Champagne Geoffroy for more vintage experience. In 2011 he won the Talijancich-Leeuwin Award at Curtin University, for Aptitude in the Australian Wine Industry and has also completed the coveted AWAC wine course in Adelaide in 2015. Yuri has a keen interest and passion for making and producing sparkling wines of fruit purity combined with subtle complexity.
Winemaker - Mark Wallace
After graduating from Stellenbousch University in 2012, Mark worked vintages in Stellenbousch, Elgin, Napa Valley and the Mosel before heading back to his home country of South Africa to take up the role of assitant winemaker at Hamilton Russel in Hemel & Aarde Valley and Martinborough, NZ. This was followed by taking on the head Winemaker role in Elgin at Oneiric before returning to his family winery, Paul Wallace Wines in Elgin. His decision to do one last vintage abroad, in the Barossa Valley working for Rockford Wine Estate, lead Mark to meeting his now wife Jess, and putting down roots in Perth. After a brief time at Mandoon & Deep Woods, Mark joined the Sittella team as our Winemaker in 2022. Mark’s wine passion of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay & Pinot Noir just happens to match perfectly with his other love of fishing