Lose yourself within the bushland of Bridgetown at a family owned and operated vineyard where you can be a part of the action, helping with seasonal activities like picking fruit and bottling wines.
Operating from the Shedley family's 'Kingsley Downs' property, Shedleys Vineyard is located 16km east of Bridgetown in the farming district of Winnijup. The vineyard and winemaking enterprise only occupy 1% of the family's mixed farming property (which also includes sheep, harvest crops and blue gum plantation).
The Wines
The Shedley philosophy involves a hands-on approach to grape growing, winemaking and marketing. All vines are hand-pruned, grapes are handpicked, and wines are handmade using open fermentation, basket pressing and minimal fining or filtering. The vineyard is 3 hectares with roughly equal areas of Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz. All plantings have trickle irrigation in place to prevent stress on the vines, which maximises the intensity of flavours and results in consistent, full-bodied wines.
The wine range includes a Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Cabernet Shiraz, Franc & Ruby Port, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Cellar Door
Shedley Wines can be visited by appointment only. Those who visit are encouraged to get involved in the grape growing and winemaking process, assisting with pruning, picking, crushing pressing and bottling wines. Chris Shedley teaches the practices of bottling, and visitors are rewarded for their efforts with wines for purchase at a heavily reduced price.
Unique Highlights
The Shedley farm has several sizeable areas of native bush which are easily accessible on foot. Notably, the sheep pastures, Eucalypt plantings and nearby Blackwood River provide scenic walking opportunities. Chris is also the great, great grandson of John Jacob who planted Jacobs Creek in the Barossa Valley, and a range of memorabilia is on display at the Shedley Cellar Door.