Winemaking
We create wines that preserve the natural qualities of each grape and express the unique character of the Margaret River region.
Each wine is meticulously crafted with fruit sourced from our exceptional vineyards. This careful selection process allows us to choose only the finest fruit, granting our winemakers unparalleled flexibility in crafting and blending.
All grapes are picked in the cool of the night to preserve their freshness and aromatic qualities, resulting in vibrant, elegant wines that capture the essence of the region.
Our Winemakers
We collaborate with an experienced team of winemakers with whom we’ve built long-standing relationships. Ben Rector, Simon Ding, Damon Eastdough, Mark Warren, Remi Guise, and Bruce Dukes all contribute to making our wines
Remi Guise
Naturaliste Vintners, Senior Winemaker
Remi was born and raised in the Cape Province of South Africa, where his obsession with wine began. After completing his studies in Viticulture and Oenology at Stellenbosch University, Remi began his career at the 300-year-old Meerendal Wine Estate in Durbanville in 2006.
In 2008, Remi travelled to Margaret River, drawn by the allure of working with great Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and has never left.
The beautiful maritime climate and ancient soils of Margaret River have allowed Remi the opportunity to craft award winning wines for almost two decades, underpinned by a rigorous obsession with quality, constant fine tuning, and the quest for integrity and regional provenance in every wine.
Wine: John George
Bruce Dukes
Naturaliste Vintners, Chief Winemaker & Director
Bruce brings over 30 years of wine industry experience, having worked with iconic producers like Niebaum-Coppola Winery in Napa Valley and Pierro Margaret River Vineyards. He is also an independent agronomist and winemaking consultant.
His holistic approach to grape growing and winemaking emphasises refinement and finesse.
Bruce's passion lies in sustainable winegrowing, with a focus on understanding the composition of the fruit to translate it into culturally relevant wine styles. He seeks mastery of the basics, concentrating on Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, which are so well-suited to Margaret River.
Wine: John George
Simon Ding
Flying Fish Cove, Winemaker
Simon's journey to winemaking began with travels through Europe, South America, the Middle East, and Asia, where he discovered his love for wine. Returning to Australia, he earned a Bachelor of Wine Science while working at Fermoy Estate in Margaret River. He also completed a vintage at Villa Trasqua in Tuscany. Since then, Simon has worked as a winemaker for several award-winning wineries in the Margaret River region, joining the Flying Fish Cove team in 2008, where he enjoys crafting great wines with a team of great people.
Wine: Butler Crest, Five Moons, Table Talk, Vintners Edge
Damon Eastdough
Flying Fish Cove, Winemaker
Damon first studied chemistry and law, later being admitted to the bar in New South Wales. After working at a law firm in Sydney, he returned to the South West of WA in 1991, drawn by his family’s vineyard in Yallingup, established in the mid-1980s. Learning winemaking from a local mentor, he pursued a career in the wine industry. Damon has been with Flying Fish Cove Winery for over 20 years and is a founding member of the Wildberry vineyard, which he continues to oversee.
Wine: Butler Crest, Five Moons, Table Talk, Vintners Edge
Ben Rector
Margaret River Vintners, Senior Winemaker
Ben was introduced to the wine industry in the Hunter Valley, where he worked in the production facility of Brokenwood wines since 1990. He was soon travelling Australia and abroad as a ‘flying cellar-hand’, gaining experience in France, USA, South Africa and New Zealand. In 2006, he completed his Bachelors Oenology degree at Adelaide University.
Ben has now called Margaret River home since he started with Deep Woods Estate in 2008. He remains with the Fogarty Wine Group and is now the Senior Winemaker at Margaret River Vintners, WA’s largest wine-making facility.
Wine: Butler Crest, Five Moons, Table Talk, Vintners Edge