Last year the respected American magazine Wine & Spirits voted the Pierro Chardonnay the best in Australia. If this lofty accolade comes as a surprise to some, it shouldn't.

Owner/winemaker Dr Michael Peterkin's methods and experimentation in the vineyard and winery have sometimes been controversial, but the end product is invariably outstanding. In fact, now others are more likely to follow his lead than to dismiss it.

Careful vineyard management has been the central focus of the good doctor's efforts as he strives to gain optimum intensity of flavour and full ripeness in his wines, particularly the chardonnay.

Since 1986 he has used a minimal intervention technique: combining knowledge, care and control to make "low tech" wines. In the winery this often involves using low sulphur levels, barrel fermentation, lees aging for twelve months, encouraging 100% malolactic fermentation and maintaining constant temperature control.

The distinctive rammed-earth Pierro winery at Willyabrup

Even though the chardonnay remains the flagship wine, the winery also produces a range of excellent red and white styles. These include the winery's secondary label, Fire Gully, wines which are rapidly growing in stature.

Mike Peterkin is unique in Margaret River in that he is the only medical doctor who is a fully qualified winemaker and viticulturalist. We believe his best elixirs are still conjured up at this charming Willyabrup winery.