Over the years Chateau Xanadu has developed a reputation for producing some stunning wines and today is consistently in the top 10 Margaret River producers.

During the mid-1980s the wooded semillons and chardonnay that started coming out of the winery were among the region's best, and remain that way today. However in recent times the mighty, long-lived Cabernet Sauvignon and the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve have become the most recognised wines, winning awards around the world.

The focus at Xanadu is firmly on innovative quality winemaking and grape growing, driven by the passion and talent of Conor Lagan and Jurg Muggli, who relentlessly push the frontiers of premium winemaking.

It all began back in 1977, when Irish doctors John and Eithne Lagan established the vineyard a few kilometres south-east of Margaret River township. The Lagans had moved from a troubled Northern Ireland to Margaret River in 1968 to practice and were influenced by their medical colleagues to plant vines.

In addition to their love of wine, the Lagans share a passion for literature, hence the name Xanadu from Samuel Coleridge's epic poem Kubla Khan.

The first wines were made in 1981, however the winery's reputation was fully established by winemaker John Smith, who produced an array of distinctive whites from 1984 to 1989. The 1985 semillon, for example, was one of the first indicators of the region's great potential with the variety. It's huge gooseberry flavour, complexity and wonderful mouth-feel were an absolute knock-out.

In 1989 Conor, the Lagans' son returned from Roseworthy College and joined forces with Jurg Muggli, a Swiss viticulturist and winemaker with a background in chemical engineering. The dynamic duo was born, and the brash, innovative team went about establishing a new direction for the winery. The consensus was that the vineyard was of primary importance, if the wines were to reach their top potential. They introduced

Jurg Muggli appraises a wine in its early stages

the use of minimal irrigation to increase quality of yield, Scott Henry trellising to allow more effective ripening, environmental sensitivity through the use of organic based fertilisers and limited use of herbicides. On top of all this, they used their own brand of creativity in the winery. The results have been very impressive indeed.

Winery Profile: Chateau Xanadu Continued>>