Phil & Louise Snowball planted their very small vineyard on their weekend escape property in Margaret River in 2000. The property is located just west of Leeuwin Estate. Being just 3 km from the coast it benefits from the cooling summer breeze.

After discussion with well known vigneron Bill Pannell (Moss Wood founder & currently at Picardy vineyard) it was decided to grow Bordeaux varieties with a view to making a typical Bordeaux blend. Phil and Louise wanted to produce an elegant wine rather than the often powerful high-alcohol Australian red.

The vineyard sits on the slopes of the Boodjidup brook. The soils in this particular little niche are Bordeaux-like, with a shallow gravely loam topsoil and a rich yellow-red clay sub-soil which holds moisture, important for Merlot growing, and seems to impart particularly interesting qualities to the vines.

Though Phil & Louise were not initially sure where this little venture would take them, they were inspired by the success of these particular varieties in their unique terroir. Cabernet franc was already proven highly successful at neighbouring Redgate vineyard, which produced a straight Cabernet franc of some note. The special features of the site were such that that Merlot grew particularly well with none of the difficulties often encountered with this variety. Cabernet sauvignon grown in Margaret River is arguably the best in the world.

Phil became interested in an organic approach to the viticulture which they now enthusiastically pursue and which they believe leads to healthier vines and better quality fruit.

of flavours in the fruit. All the vineyard work is carried out by Phil & Louise. Its very hands on. The vines are hand tendered at every stage, from pruning through shoot thinning, leaf plucking & bunch thinning, to picking. At picking, which is done with enthusiastic friends, the fruit is carefully selected. Any fruit which is not perfect is discarded.

it has its own character, which reflects the special terroir in which it is grown. In the case of their wine, different in that sense but still emulating the medium bodied French style. The wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet franc and Cabernet sauvignon, with a rather high percentage of franc, as is often the case in French "Merlots" but unique among Margaret River red wines. The resulting wine is one of remarkable aromatic character & flavour.

The label, which is memorable, was designed by Phil & Louise's son Justin, a Sydney graphic artist. Having an unusual family name, Phil & Louise could think of no better way to name their wine, and hope it symbolizes how all the care and attention of the viticulture, the special features of their little plot and the passion of their winemaker, "snowballs" to make a wine which you will much enjoy and remember.