Domaine Naturaliste
Margaret River , Western Australia
Brands
Domaine Naturaliste
Winery Overview
Domaine Naturaliste is located in the heart of the highly acclaimed Wilyabrup sub-region of Margaret River, just four miles east of the Indian Ocean coast. Fifty three acres of mature vines (20+ years) are planted over the property, comprising five distinct blocks of Cabernet Sauvignon, along with small plots of Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, as well as the region’s renowned Gin Gin clone Chardonnay.
Margaret River is a stunning coastal location in the pristine south west corner of Western Australia, cradled by the Indian Ocean to the west and Southern Ocean in the south. The maritime climate, in combination with the region’s ancient decomposed granite soils, provides idyllic growing conditions for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. The vines and wines are alive with vivid core flavour and generous texture.
Bruce Dukes, owner and winemaker at Domaine Naturaliste, is a qualified Agronomist and Winemaker who has been practicing sustainable winegrowing for 30+ years. He draws on substantial global experiences, including four years at Francis Ford Coppola’s Niebaum-Coppola winery in California and a significant tenure at Pierro in Margaret River.
Bruce’s mastery of Margaret River’s flagship varieties - Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay - spans terroir, vineyard practices, fruit selection, palate and aroma. The resulting wines are balanced, complex and delicious.
“Beautiful, balanced wines, particularly cabernet and chardonnay, at extremely reasonable prices.” James Halliday, Best Value Winery of the Year 2020.
Available in
Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Thailand, UK
Winemaker Bio
Winemaker Bruce Dukes is a qualified Agronomist with a master’s degree in Viticulture and Oenology from the University of California. He draws on decades of local and international winemaking experience, including four years at Francis Ford Coppola’s Niebaum-Coppola winery in California and a significant tenure at Pierro Winery in Margaret River. Bruce’s time spent in California helped hone his exacting and confident approach.
Bruce exudes an infectious enthusiasm and passion for his craft, making wines from the ground up. Beginning with a deep understanding of soils and sustainable farming practices, it is Bruce’s belief that a holistic approach reaps the greatest rewards, both for the wine and the environment.
His winemaking philosophy is best described by wine expert Professor Steven Kolpan who noted in his book “A Sense of Place” that, “Bruce Dukes articulates the art and science of winemaking with elegance and ease. Bruce knows that the best wines are made vine by vine, berry by berry …”
