Cape Mentelle: it is a place that people sigh about wistfully whenever it is mentioned. For those lucky enough to have visited, the experience was ‘unforgettable’. For those yet to visit, those Western Australian borders opened today. So make haste, 2020 has taught us there’s no time like the present!
The renowned and much-loved Margaret River vineyard is celebrating 50 years of winemaking this year. As part of the celebrations and to mark a history of pioneering spirit, sustainable farming, hard work and great passion, Cape Mentelle’s winemaker Ben Cane hosted a wine-tasting lunch last Friday.
Cane and Moët-Hennessey’s MJ van Vuuren were gracious and entertaining hosts with Cane educating his guests about the fabulous array of wines offered with each course, sharing tales of the wines, the surprises and the nuance in flavours to each drop. A passionate winemaker makes for wonderful company.
The 2017 Chardonnay and 2017 Shiraz were crowd favourites and the Cape Mentelle 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Magnum served with dessert a delicious highlight at the end of the lunch.
Cane said: “Personally, I am thrilled to be part of this historical moment. Cape Mentelle, for those who have worked here and have been fans over the years, is an institution of great wine, fun stories and proof that a pioneering spirit, a sense of humour and lots of hard work pays off, placing Cape Mentelle on the map as an iconic winery of the world.”
Prior to lunch guests were treated to the launch of a photographic exhibition by Aquabumps’ Eugene Tan, Explore Your Horizons, who was commissioned to bring the winery’s history to life with new works and a visual tale of the vineyard’s history starting around 1970 when John Hohnen planted those first vines.
Bondi local, photographer and beach-lover Tan – and his fine art photographic prints – are well known around Bondi and its surrounds. What is less well known is that he was born, bred and learned to surf in Margaret River.
He said, “I remember many surfing trips to Margaret River as a kid; it was the beginning of my connection to the ocean as well as to our diverse land. I was stoked to be able to head back to my home turf recently to capture one the of the most stunning coastlines and wine regions in Australia.”
Patriarch John Hohnen purchased the property in the early 1960s and planted the first vines in 1970. It was John who encouraged his sons, Mark and David, to be ambitious, to build the winery and they were co-owners throughout the 1980s.
David’s sons were unconventional and steadfast in their belief that Cape Mentelle was suitable for producing wines as good as any in the world. In press interviews from the early days, David Hohnen said: “When you’ve got a vineyard in God’s own country, you’ve got to make God’s own wines.”
At lunch guests were treated 1970s cowboy stories of soil being blown up with dynamite, experimentation and the sustainable viticulture intrinsic to all elements of Cape Mentelle’s wine production.
It started with pioneering, daring and an unwavering commitment in the pursuit of excellent wine. Today, Cape Mentelle moves forward with forethought, innovation and an international perspective. There is an emphasis on fruit quality, sustainable viticulture and innovative technology.
Their long success and endurance is richly deserved. Their future, it seems, is assured. Happy 50th birthday Cape Mentelle.
