Margaret River welcomes back an 80s classic

A reborn wine business in Margaret River has gone back to the 80s for inspiration for its first release. 

Wrights Vineyard's Ian Wright has reimagined his parents' famous Wrights Winery White Port and re-imagined it in a style perfect for an aperitif over ice or cellaring for 10 years to enjoy later as a digestif.

Now known as Wrights Vineyard Fortified Chardonnay the fortified wine has been re-created by award-winning winemaker Julian Langworthy, who scientifically tested the make-up of an original Wrights white port and replicated it using grapes from chardonnay cuttings from the original vines. 

A limited release of 300 500ml bottles is now available to purchase online.

No road trip to Margaret River in the ‘80s and early ‘90s was complete without a stop by the Wrights Wines cellar door (now Juniper Estate) for a bottle of White Port. 

Starting in 1973, Henry and Maureen Wright were pioneers of Margaret River winemaking, alongside the likes of Vasse Felix, Moss Wood, Cullen, Sandalford and Leeuwin Estate.

Wrights Wines was located on Harmans Mill Road opposite Vasse Felix. 

Their son Ian launched Wrights Vineyard in 2023 on a vineyard in Cowaramup that has a track record and includes cuttings from original Wrights Wines vines.

Ian believes there is still a market for the ‘80s after-dinner favourite.

“I was surprised when researching that there other winemakers were not doing fortified whites,” he said.

“30 years on, it feels like a good time to bring it back.

“It really sits comfortably in current drinks trends. Our fortified chardonnay has white nectarine and fig nuances of Margaret River chardonnay, but as we’ve taken it into fortified territory, it feels like a spirit on the palate.

“We recommend drinking it now as a refreshing aperitif over ice or cellaring over the next 10 years and enjoying after dinner as a digestif.” 

This is floral, fruity and distinctively different. A vinous walk back in time. Try it over ice. 

The 500ml bottles have just been released, priced at $60 per bottle. Shipping commences in the first week of December.

Images: DanielaTommasi Photography

Find out more at wrightsvineyard.com.au