Our Story
In 1996, Jeff Dewar, alongside his wife Vicki, embarked on a journey that would transform their lives and the local viticultural landscape.
Jeff, the youngest of three brothers, initially explored broad-acre farming after his parents purchased a property in Broomehill in 1979. However, his passion lay elsewhere, and after considering various agricultural pursuits, he and Vicki found their true calling in viticulture.
Their search for the perfect location led them to Ferguson Valley, a region that captured their hearts with its stunning vistas and ideal viticultural conditions. In 1996, they acquired a 420-acre property, and by 1997, Willow Bridge Estate had planted its first 100 acres of grapes. This bold move marked the beginning of what would become one of the most significant vineyard developments in the area.
The Dewars’ commitment to excellence quickly bore fruit. With the arrival of esteemed winemaker Rob Bowen in 1999, Willow Bridge Estate’s potential was fully realised. Inspired by the Wedgewood Willow Series pattern during a trip to the UK, Rob named the winery “Willow Bridge” to symbolise the connection and unity fostered through wine. The logo of a dragonfly pays homage to a local charm: a neighbour’s request to stock the dam with trout, which became a haven for dragonflies observed by Jeff and Vicki.
Since its inaugural vintage in 2000, Willow Bridge Estate has grown from a modest 150,000 bottles to an impressive 400,000. Jeff and Vicki’s passion for viticulture and their commitment to their craft have shaped Willow Bridge Estate into a beacon of quality and innovation in the Geographe Wine Region.
Today, Willow Bridge Estate continues to thrive, with Jeff and Vicki residing there since the construction of their family home in 2001. The estate remains a family affair, with their four children growing up amidst the vines that symbolise their parents’ dreams and dedication.
We invite you to explore Willow Bridge Estate and experience the rich heritage, exceptional wines, and the warm hospitality that define our family-owned winery.
Our Wine Makers
Senior Winemaker
Kim Horton
A fascination with wine and vineyards at a young age, whilst growing up in the Swan Valley, led to Kim’s first position in the wine industry during vintage 1995 with Houghton Wines.
Following a successful vintage, he went on to study Oenology at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. 21 years later, he finds himself at Willow Bridge in the Ferguson Valley and in front of him, an opportunity to work within a team that has the drive and ambition to further build and enhance the Willow Bridge tradition.
Kim firmly believes that wines are made in the vineyard; the better the understanding of the vineyard and its unique characteristics, the better the wines reflect the soil and climate.
Assistant Winemaker
Dougal Herd
During an early life on board the tall ship HMB Endeavour, Dougal’s interest in wine was sparked by the food and wine culture experienced while sailing throughout Europe. This led to a desire to experience different wines and, in turn, to a yearning to make them; ultimately, to the wine industry, with Dougal heading back to Western Australia to study Viticulture and Oenology at Curtin University.
After 11 years, Dougal is excited to have the opportunity to join Willow Bridge and work with the amazing team, with the goal of producing wines that reflect the quality of the Ferguson Valley.
With over 30 years of experience, our winemakers bring a deep passion for wine to every bottle. Their love for the craft shines through in every vintage, creating wines that are as genuine and vibrant as the people who make them.
Our Vineyards
Our vineyard is sited high on the western watershed of the Darling Ranges, with the vines enjoying spectacular views over the coastal plain, and across the waters of Geographe Bay to Cape Naturaliste.
The vineyard is 25km from the coast as the crow flies, and receives the cooling afternoon sea breeze during summer. At an elevation of 230 to 280 meters, the estate is generally 2 degrees or more cooler than the coastal plain, with ripening times similar to those of the cool southern parts of the neighbouring Margaret River wine region.
Annual rainfall is relatively high at 914mm, with 80% of this falling over four months in our winter when the vines are dormant. The summertime growing season is very dry and sunny, allowing the area a consistency between vintages possibly unrivalled in the world of wine.
The soils of the estate are all “Marri soils”, named for the regal Marri eucalyptus trees they typically support. Weathered from granite over some two and a half billion years, they comprise a free-draining layer of lateritic red gravel and loam over yellow or white clay. Such pockets of Marri soils are prized by vignerons in Western Australia.
The 60 Ha of vineyards were established in 1997. Planting around two hills allowed us to match vine varieties to the full 360° of sun angles. The region is phylloxera-free, so all vines were planted on their own roots and planting along the ridge line has minimised the risk from spring frosts. Initial plantings of the classic French varieties of Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon have since been bolstered with small blocks of Viognier, Tempranillo, and Grenache.