Hay Shed Hill Wines
Margaret River , Western Australia
Brands
Hay Shed Hill, Pitchfork
Winery Overview
Hay Shed Hill is part of a small and prestigious group of pioneer vineyards that have established Margaret River as a world-class wine producing region.
Located in the Wilyabrup Valley, the premier area of Western Australia’s Margaret River Wine Region. Wilyabrup has the highest concentration of premium wine producers and is home to many of the original Margaret River vineyards.
The Wilyabrup Valley is a series of gentle slopes found alongside tributaries to the Wilyabrup Brook. Varying topography in the area provides unique and distinct vineyard sites.
Vines prosper on the Wilyabrup soils and the gravel subsoil ensures good drainage, while the high clay content enables good water retention throughout summer.
The Hay Shed Hill vineyard is situated on a picturesque property that was established as a dairy farm as part of the group settlement scheme for returned soldiers from the First World War.
Vines were first planted in 1973 under the guidance of Dr Kevin Cullen when the property was known as Sussex Vale. In the late 1980s the vineyard was bought by Morrison Family.
As the old hay shed from the dairy days was a local landmark, the Morrison’s used this to create the new name for the property, Hay Shed Hill. Hay making tools found in the hay shed provided them with the inspiration for Hay Shed’s sister label – Pitchfork Wines.
Seeking Distribution in
Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
Winemaker Bio
Hay Shed Hill winemaker and general manager, Michael Kerrigan is one of the most respected winemakers in Australia. Over 30 years’ experience puts Michael amongst the best winemakers in the country.
After excelling at winemaking studies at Roseworthy College in South Australia (he was Dux of his year), Michael spent thirteen vintages as the winemaker for Howard Park Wines making wine from grapes grown in virtually every wine region in Western Australia.
He has received numerous accolades including nomination for Qantas Gourmet Traveller Winemaker of the Year in 2003. Michael has been a senior judge numerous shows including regular positions at the Perth Royal Show and the Wine Show of Western Australia Mt Barker.
In late 2006 Michael and his partners, bought Hay Shed Hill in Margaret River. The opportunity to get involved with Hay Shed Hill was one that Michael could not let pass. “I knew the vineyard and always coveted the fruit, it was a once in a lifetime opportunity to take ownership in a classic old pioneer vineyard in the elite of Margaret River but one which, for various reasons, had not quite realized it’s potential.”
From making wines from all over the South West of Western Australia Michael now is focused on single vineyard expression of Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, and Chardonnay in particular.
