In 1840 John Septimus Roe, Western Australia’s first Surveyor General was granted by Queen Victoria 4,000 acres of riverbank land at West Swan. He named it Sandalford after a priory in his English home at Berkshire. The property was well managed and became prosperous as an agrarian estate supporting crops, cattle, fruit and vegetables and vines for table grapes, sultanas, raisins, currants and wine grapes. Early varieties planted were Shiraz, Verdelho, Cabernet Sauvignon and Frontignac.
The estate survived the vicissitudes of the Great Depression and two world wars and in 1970 made its second acquisition of prime viticultural land. Influenced by Dr John Gladstones’ treatise on the suitability of the Margaret River region for premium wine production, and winemaker Dorham Mann, the Roe family purchased 300ha at Wilyabrup joining the other pioneers of the Margaret River vineyards.
The next quantum change came in 1990 with the purchase of the estate by the Prendiville family headed by Peter and Debra Prendiville. The Prendivilles, who were experienced operators in tourism and hospitality, poured in the capital to take Sandalford to the next level of quality wine production. Today a comprehensive range of wine is produced – from the budget priced right up to the super premium Prendiville range. Wine making and viticulture is of a very high standard.
The Wines
2022 Sandalford 1840 Chenin Blanc
Made from old vine Swan Valley Chenin Blanc. Machine-harvested, cold-stabilised with barrel and stainless-steel fermentation. Three months on yeast lees shows as a savoury textural backdrop to the delicious floral and fresh pristine fruit flavours with a note of citrus. A mouth-filling, flavoursome white that can easily accompany seafood, spicy Asian cooking and white meats. Lovely drinking and quite beguiling (12.5% alcohol. $30)
2019 Sandalford 1840 Shiraz
From a cool Swan Valley vintage, this Shiraz shows abundant purple fruits at the peppery end of the shiraz flavour spectrum. Spice is also evident. Oak handling is refined and understated adding to the overall delicious appeal. Refined clean and crisp. If only John Septimus Roe were here to witness what his vineyard could achieve! (14.5% alcohol. $50)
2021 Sandalford Margaret River Cabernet Merlot
Made from Wilyabrup fruit and partially barrel fermented this Bordeaux blend has an attractive aroma of berries with a touch of cedarwood. Deliciously clean in the mouth, the fruit oak tannins are beautifully balanced. Lovely to drink right now but will keep easily for five years. (14.0% alcohol $25)
2018 Sandalford Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 was an outstanding vintage year for Margaret River. The 40+ year-old Cabernet vines from this dress circle address in Wilyabrup with a smidgeon (2%) of Malbec have delivered a world class example of Cabernet Sauvignon. This wine spent 13 months in French oak casks which has underpinned the gorgeous, sweet fruit intensity with fine silky tannins and a long persisting finish. Whilst immensely enjoyable now it will easily live for 10-20 years. (14.5% alcohol. $50)
Win…
For your chance to win $500 rrp worth of Sandalford wine,
visit our competitions page to enter.