The Yukich family are Swan Valley pioneers and their purchase of Houghton Estate has returned the vineyard to Western Australian hands.
Now Nikola Estate is transforming those historic vines by the hard work of innovative winemaker Damien Hutton, who is producing some great new wine styles that show terrific freshness and flavour. The 2022 vintage white wines are real gems and recommended.
The Wines
Nikola Estate 2022 Chenin Blanc
Chenin Blanc is one of the classic Swan Valley varieties and the Nikola Estate 2022 iteration is setting the standard. Light straw in colour with some lifted aromas of lemon and melon. A soft, delicate, fruit-driven palate and clean natural acidity. I enjoyed the approachable style of this wine, which would be great for any seafood dish.
Nikola Estate 2021 Verdelho
The Swan Valley produces the best Verdelho in Australia and this wine is from plantings established in 1958. The winemaker has selected just the free-run juice to enhance the flavour profile. A fabulous nose of honeysuckle with a light fruit palate of melon and tropical fruits. This wine has collected an array of medals with good reason and the fresh style would be perfect for spicy Asian foods.
Nikola Estate 2022 Regional Rose
For me, Grenache rose is the gold standard rose variety and this rose is all Swan Valley fruit with a real Provence feel. Light salmon in colour with aromas of confectionary bursting from the glass. Clever winemaking has captured freshness and flavour. A soft, lengthy palate with cherry and floral flavours make this a truly enjoyable rose. Only just bottled and I recommend this in your cellar ready for spring.
Nikola Estate 2021 Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre
The GSM blends are popular because they bring together the best of the varieties in one package. This GSM is from Geographe fruit and highlights the flexibility of Grenache. Plenty of berries and pepper on the nose and a medium-bodied palate makes this a very drinkable wine. The brief ageing in seasoned French oak results in soft tannins letting the berry fruit shine through. Perfect for your favourite Italian dish.
Nikola Estate 2020 Shiraz
Shiraz from the Swan Valley is underrated and Nikola Estate’s shiraz highlights the old vine fruit from the original Houghton’s vineyard that produces great complexity. A vibrant deep crimson in the glass and inviting complex fruit and berry aromas. On the palate there are silky tannins to balance the big, juicy fruit flavours. This is a great value, Hermitage-style wine perfectly matched for a beef bourguignon.
Win…
For your chance to win a dozen bottles of Nikola Estate wine,
visit our competitions page to enter.