3drops winery celebrates everything there is to love about the Great Southern and offers a variety of wine for all drinkers, writes Master of Wine Craig Drummond.
This impressive property is located just off the picturesque St Werburgh’s Road, close to the town of Mount Barker in the heart of the expansive Great Southern wine region.
Its name derives from three wonderful and precious liquids – wine, olive oil and water.
Both wine and olive oil are produced on the estate and water refers to the wetlands located on the property.
Plantings on Joanne and John Bradbury’s farm began in 1999 with eight hectares making up the property. A further seven hectares followed in 2002 before they expanded to purchase the nearby Patterson’s vineyard in 2007 to add a further six hectares to their land.
These properties together supply a spectrum of varieties including Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Shiraz and Nebbiolo.
Winemaking since the estates inaugural 2003 vintage has been overseen by Rob Diletti, one of the most celebrated winemakers of the region. This has only added to the good viticultural practices and resulting in wines of profound quality.
It is of no surprise to me that 3drops Wine has received many accolades, including a 5-star rating in the 2025 Australian Wine Companion, entry into The Real Review Top Wineries of Australia 2024, and Small Producer of the Year at the 2025 WA Wine Review.
Much of my early oenological journey has been in Mount Barker and the wines reviewed certainly depict the varietal expression and cool climate characters that I look for from this sub-region.
The wines
3drops 2025 Great Southern Riesling, RRP $29
From the Wragg Rd home vineyard a classic Great Southern example of Riesling. Aromas are overt, fresh and vibrant.
Floral and lemon citrus characters lead to great flavours of grapefruit and lemon zest and background minerality. It is crisp, focused and zesty with palate length and a clean finish. Will reward cellaring up to 10 years.
3drops 2025 Great Southern Nebbiolo Rose, RRP $29
A nice dry, crisp, refreshing wine with an attractive salmon pink colour. Shows flavours of freshly picked strawberries, but with background Nebbiolo savoury characters.
A subtle and vibrant rose considering it is made from the dominating Nebbiolo grape known for its firm tannins, high alcohol and high acidity. A good wine to drink now as an aperitif or accompanying salads and seafoods.
3drops 2024 Great Southern Pinot Noir, RRP $40
From the Patterson’s vineyard, a full-bodied Pinot style atypical for the region but very drinkable.
Shows a full purple beetroot colour with spicy aromas, herbaceous with a touch of cloves. Palate shows blackcurrant and rhubarb with spice and herbal elements. Tannins are fine and silky, a ‘serious’ Pinot. Drink now and up to five years.
3drops 2023 Great Southern Shiraz, RRP $33
The Great Southern is renowned for its cool climate Shiraz and this is a fine example. Displays white pepper, dark plum and flavours of blackcurrant, blueberry and spices.
Peppery on the end palate, good current drinking and will reward for eight to 10 years cellaring.
Reviewers pick (same heading as used above on ‘the wines’)
3drops 2023 Great Southern Chardonnay RRP $33
Difficult to separate from the Riesling, it combines great depth and purity of fruit enhanced by cool climate delicacy and acidity.
The nose is inviting with white peach and lifted toasty oak. On the palate it is fresh and fruity, yet complex and integrated. Peach and ripe melon, vanillin oak comes through. Partial malolactic fermentation adds to the mouthfeel.
A balanced, intense, complex cool climate Chardonnay. Great current drinking and will go another few years. This wine is a steal at this price.
We’ve got premium 3drops wine to give away. If you fancy a doctor’s dozen of wine, head to our competitions page to enter.
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