Jane Brook Estate Wines

 Philosophy
David and Beverley Atkinson's philosophy of grape-growing and winemaking is based on a long term uncompromising approach to producing only premium quality wine ... maximising the natural varietal fruit flavours from carefully selected quality wine grapes. We believe in the integration of modern technology with the traditional style of winemaking. Since 1972, the winemaking areas have been re-equipped with machinery designed to increase both the efficiency and the quality of the winemaking process. At the same time many of the original features remain, such as the open concrete fermenters still used today for red wine fermentation during the vintage. The Mediterranean climate of mild winters and warm summers ensure high quality grapes and consistently good vintages. The Jane Brook soils are true sandy gravel surface on a deep clay base, producing grapes of excellent quality. Our vineyard soils are maintained naturally with the consistent use of organic fertilisers. We firmly believe in limited use of chemicals, mulching and minimum tillage in our vineyards to encourage good surface feeding, root development and earthworm activity. The main varieties of grapes we grow are Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz.

The history of Jane Brook started in 1829 when the brook was discovered by John Septimus Roe, the first Surveyor General of the fledgling Swan River Colony. In honour of Mrs Jane Currie, wife of the first harbour master of Fremantle, Captain James Stirling called it "Jane Brook". Table grapes were first planted in 1913 and this pursuit continued until 1954 when the Mateljan family vintaged 540 litres of red table wine under the name of Vignacourt Wines.

In 1972 David and Beverley Atkinson purchased the property and their dream was to convert the production to quality varietal wines. The evolution of the Jane Brook style and philosophy has been achieved through commitment to the pursuit of excellence, this tradition is being carried forward by the second generation, Elizabeth Atkinson, Business Manager and Ben Atkinson, Vineyard Manager.

The past two decades have seen the replanting of the vineyards to premium grape varieties, introduction of a laboratory for grape and wine analysis and the re-equipping of the winemaking facilities with stainless steel tanks, refrigeration plants and new oak storage. Vintage of 1997 coincided with the building of a fully refrigerated warehouse for tank fermentation, barrel fermentation and ageing and finished wine storage. The 1999 vintage was heralded in with the acquisition of a pneumatic tank press which will greatly enhance wine quality. There is however still a commitment to the open fermentation and rack and return process for full bodied Shiraz production to preserve the individual character of the variety, a commitment which is only possible in an area such as the Swan Valley with it's generous and consistent climate.

Jane Brook has recently purchased the latest riddling, disgorging, corking and wiring equipment for methode champenoise production. This acquisition is a step towards the Jane Brook aim of becoming the finest sparkling wine producer in Western Australia.

The Jane Brook wine range is classical and the styles reflect true varietal characters, enhanced in the case of Chardonnay, by judicious use of oak. Blending of two regions, Pemberton and Swan Valley produces a Sauvignon Blanc of distinctive fine fruity characters. The 100% Verdelho shows the incredible varietal characters of this variety when grown in the Swan Valley. The introduction of two bottle fermented sparkling wines has enhanced the range and they have been consistently the highest point scorers for W.A. sparkling wines in the Sheraton Wine Awards and Perth Royal Shows since 1993. The Elizabeth Jane "Methode Champenoise" Chardonnay and Benjamin David "Methode Champenoise" Shiraz are named for David and Beverley's daughter and son.

Cabernet Merlot has long been regarded as a Jane Brook speciality, always showing great flavour, fullness and a long finish. The last few vintages have produced Shiraz of outstanding flavour and quality from fifty-five year old vines on the home vineyard.

1999 saw the release of a new super premium range from Jane Brook, the ATKINSON series. The first release in the Atkinson series was the 1997 Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc from the Pemberton region of Western Australia. The latest release is the 1998 Swan Valley Shiraz, selected from the best of the Jane Brook shiraz vines.

In July of 1999, Jane Brook purchased 75 acres of prime viticultural land in the Margaret River apellation with an aim of extending the regional mix of wines and satisfying existing demand for the Jane Brook range. Initial plantings on the Margaret River vineyard include the Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc varieties, to be followed by Chardonnay and Merlot.

Winemaking from 1999 onwards is under the care of Julie White, a viticulture and oenology graduate from Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

The rustic cellar is open every day for tasting and sales. A range of gourmet and vineyard platters are served during winter in the heated cellar, or, in the warmer months in the garden courtyards and jarrah decking overlooking Jane Brook. Follow this with Jane Brook private blend coffee, scrumptious cakes and a glass of Liqueur Muscat, Liqueur Tokay or the very unique Liqueur Verdelho . . . a wonderful way to spend an afternoon.

Jane Brook wines have been available in selected wine retailers, restaurants and hotels in Western Australia for ten years and since March 1997 have been distributed throughout Western Australia by the professional team at West Coast Wine Cellars. Distribution in the eastern seaboard of Australia is handled by Vitarelli Fine Wines in Victoria, Peter Tsoukalas of Australian Partners in Wine in Sydney and the A.C.T.

The export market has exploded for Jane Brook over the last ten years and the wines are now exported to Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, the U.K. and the United States. David and Beverley Atkinson have been a driving force for Western Australian winemakers in the Japanese market and David is currently Chairman of the Wine Japan Export Group.

In search of innovative marketing tools, Jane Brook looked to the Internet and in June 1995 became the first Australian winery to have a home page on the World Wide Web.

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