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Voyager Estate

Organic, Vineyard-driven Margaret River at its Finest

This impeccably run estate crafts a set of wines that ooze style and class. Even better, the quality just keeps getting better and better, reflecting the continual evolution in the vineyard and winery. It was Michael Wright who immaculately built this property into the beacon of quality it has become today. While Voyager’s founder and visionary sadly passed away in 2012, he left a powerful legacy of absolute commitment to quality that today pervades every corner of Voyager. The Estate remains family-owned, with Michael’s daughter, Alex Burt (nee Wright), matching her father’s fanatical attention to detail with an environmental conscience that has opened another important chapter in the history of this Estate.

All of Voyager’s wines are estate grown and are made to reflect the unique climate and qualities of Steven’s Valley in Margaret River where they are based. They are in good company in the location regard, Leeuwin Estate and Xanadu complete the triumvirate of quality in this small but highly prestigious Valley. It is this location that is paramount to understanding the Voyager wines’ style and quality. Long regarded as a key sub-region for the finest Margaret River Chardonnay, it is also capable of producing much finer and fresher Cabernet than the sub-regions further north. The geology here is amongst the oldest in Australia and the gravel soils (free draining with a high mineral content), aspect and consistent maritime influence form the foundations of Voyager's perfumed, elegantly proportioned wines.

Voyager Estate, now in its fourth decade, is showing no sign of slowing down. Under the custodianship of Michael Wright’s daughter Alex, the estate has, in recent years, succeeded in transferring vineyard and winery operations to organics and, by 2023, expects to be fully certified.

The Voyager Estate team is in it for the long haul—between winery manager Travis Lemm, Vineyard manager Glen Ryan and assistant winemaker James Penton there is 45 years’ experience at Voyager Estate alone. The brain’s trust consequently has an intimate knowledge of the sites, clones, region and style—and together with Chief Winemaker Tim Shand, they translate this intellect seamlessly into the glass. Viticultural integrity plays a huge role at Voyager Estate. Over the last 25 years, they have put the health of their soils, vines and land first and foremost. In conjunction with organic practices in all vineyards and in the winery; there are specific clones matched to appropriate soil types; each plot of soil is micro-managed with specific viticulture and harvest dates; grape marc and kitchen scraps are used for compost; a telemetry-controlled irrigation system is used to conserve precious water resources; and each parcel of fruit is hand harvested and fermented separately. Time and resources are deployed where they matter—the vineyard.

The two marquee wines, the Chardonnay and the Cabernet/Merlot are both rightly critically fêted as amongst the region’s benchmarks. The Chardonnay has all the presence, elegance and purity of fruit that has made Margaret River Chardonnay renowned worldwide. Since the watershed 2001 release, Voyager Cabernet/Merlot continues to go from strength to strength. It’s based on fruit from the 35-year-old Estate block with the addition of some fruit from other Estate Blocks. —this is distinguished Margaret River at its finest.

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Voyager Estate Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Voyager Estate Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

The Voyager Estate Coastal Cabernet vineyards are planted in the Stevens Valley area which is located toward the coast, close to the township of Margaret River. The area is characterised by gentle slopes of red/brown gravelly top soils, about one metre deep, with a stony/clay subsoil. Located in close proximity to the Indian Ocean with its cooling sea breezes, nature provides the perfect microclimate for the development of exceptional Cabernet grapes. Made in a bright, approachable and fruit driven style, the fruit was destemmed but not crushed to preserve the whole berries. Ferments occurred in a combination of open, static and concrete vessels at 27 degrees to preserve aromatics and temper the extraction of colour and tannin. After pressing the wine matured in French oak and concrete tanks until blending and bottling in December 2021.

A spicy nose of clove, coriander, paprika and redcurrants. Full-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. Linear on the palate with the spice character running the show. Licorice notes at the finish. Drink now. Screw cap.
92 points, jamessuckling.com
“Medium ruby with purple tints to the rim. Blackcurrant, broken slate, and tomato leaf aromas. Fruit is sweeter and plusher on the palate than the nose suggested but there’s good savoury minerality and herbal tones that bring it back to balance. Very good length that is gently driven by a fine grit of tannins. Good value here.”
92 points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review
Voyager Estate Coastal Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2022

Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2022

Organic. Voyager Estate’s superb Chardonnay has all the presence, elegance and purity of fruit we expect from this renowned producer. In particular, it reflects the cooler climate of the Wallcliffe sub-region and, more precisely, the Stevens Valley—arguably Margaret River’s finest Chardonnay zone. The area is characterised by gentle slopes of red/brown gravelly soils over stony clay. Influenced by cooling breezes from the nearby Indian Ocean, it’s a superb mesoclimate for Chardonnay, and the Voyager team pulls out all the stops to deliver on this promise. The vineyard comprises six blocks planted to four different clones of Chardonnay, each bringing different nuances to the wine. This includes the well-known Gingin clone, which brings power and concentration, and Dijon clones 95, 96 and 76, which offer a more restrained flavour profile and contribute wonderful texture, finesse and freshness. The fruit was harvested by hand, cooled overnight, then pressed as whole bunches, and transferred to French oak barriques for spontaneous fermentation. Selected parcels went through malolactic conversion. The lion’s share of the wine aged for nine months in oak barriques and was stirred regularly. A small portion of the wine (20%) matured in concrete for its final three months before blending.

“The vibrant, young, punchy 2022 Chardonnay has excellent energy and appeal, delivering a pure core of melon and nectarine aromas with a prominent backing of French oak. Intensely flavored and supported by chalky acidity through to a strong finish, the package remains wound up tight and needs time to flower.”
93 points, Angus Hughson, Vinous
“At first, the distinct lime oil and cedar character of the 30% new French oak comes to the fore, but with a decent airing, all the other flavours come into play and meld as one. It’s a very good wine. With white peach, pink grapefruit and zest, this is spicy, savoury and succulent. The palate layered with textural lees and superfine acidity leads it to a long finish.”
95 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 2025
Voyager Estate Chardonnay 2022
Voyager Estate Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2023

Voyager Estate Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2023

As you might expect, Voyager’s foray into the sparkling arena has class plastered all over it. Perhaps surprisingly, however—given this producer’s enviable reputation with Chardonnay—it was crafted entirely from Chenin Blanc (drawn from Voyager Estate’s Weightmans Block 1). This patch of Chenin ripens and develops flavour early, giving full and punchy fruit character while retaining excellent natural acidity at lower potential alcohol. The fruit was picked by hand and pressed as whole bunches to tank for cool fermentation. A small portion (5%) of the fruit was siphoned off to ferment in a new oak puncheon, lending further complexity and flavour dimension. Made using the traditional method, following a short maturation in tank, the wine was bottled and remained on lees until February, when it was disgorged with a light dosage of four to five g/L. Cheninpagne!

Voyager Estate Sparkling Chenin Blanc 2023
Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023

Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023

The wine is grown on Voyager’s gravelly loam soils. The Sauvignon (74%), from four different blocks with varied microclimates and flavour profiles, brings fresh, crunchy drive with tropical aromas and flavours. The Semillon (26%), sourced from the North Block 10 vineyard planted in 1995, contributes pithy lemon notes, palate weight and structure. Several years of organic farming and Voyager's controlled yields had the grapes in terrific shape for what turned out to be a stellar 2023 season with warm days, cool nights and no heat spikes. The whites displayed beautiful fruit purity and vitality. A small component (10%) of the Semillon fermented in barrel and aged on its lees, bringing additional complexity and texture to the palate, and the wine still has that clean, snappy close expected of this style.

“Lifted aromas of lemon blossom, wax, nettle, lime pith and white flowers. Fresh, crunchy, bright and full of zesty citrus flavours, passionfruit and green melon. The acidity has real zip and ping and there's a nice touch of phenolic grip delivering texture.”
91 points, Aaron Brasher, The Real Review
“A lot of texture and flavour going hand-in-hand to make this a very appealing drink. Smoky, grassy, lots of citrus, especially makrut lime leaves and Tahitian lime juice, hay and a refreshing juiciness across the palate. Some oak influence adding tannins and spice while bolstering the palate. A super-smart drink.”
95 points, Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion 2025
Voyager Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023
Voyager Estate Shiraz 2020

Voyager Estate Shiraz 2020

Voyager’s Shiraz has been going from strength to strength and this example is another leap forward. Sourced from select parcels on four Shiraz blocks, it offers the understated elegance of the Voyager style: bright and juicy, underlaid with earth and spice. Hand-harvested grapes were destemmed but not crushed, then fermented as whole berries in a combination of open and closed fermenters, with gentle hand-plunging and pump-overs twice a day. After fermentation, the wines were pressed, transferred to barrel and matured in quality oak (a portion of which was new) for 12 months. The parcels were then blended prior to bottling. The quality of the vintage beams bright in the 2020 release; it’s a punchy, juicy and rich wine, packed with earth, spice and all things nice.

“Rich and deep ruby hue. Fragrant lift from the glass of blood plums, bouquet garni and nori aromas. Full bodied on the palate with a well-balanced contrast of sweet purple fruits to iron, nori, and dry herbal savoury elements. Tannins are sandy and persistent, ensuring it flows very long and well-focused to the end.”
93 points, Stuart Knox, The Real Review
Voyager Estate Shiraz 2020
Voyager Estate Sparkling Rosé 2021

Voyager Estate Sparkling Rosé 2021

Voyager’s stylish Sparkling Rosé is comprised of organic, estate-grown Merlot (55%) and Shiraz (45%). The site and fruit selection for this wine is based on some strict criteria: light, red fruit flavour spectrum; and low sugar levels—ensuring the result has a more restrained and elegant profile. It was crafted in the traditional method and matured for only a short period to ensure freshness and vibrancy dictate the palate experience. 2021 was a great vintage in this part of the world, and the brightness and intensity of the year shine through in this wine. It’s summer-pretty, all red fruits, florals and pink grapefruit. There’s a bright fruity pop, a buoyancy to the mousse, a fleshy mouthfeel and a pleasantly round finish.

“Organic shiraz is the bedrock for this traditionally made sparkling wine. Tart and zingy, tightly wound bubbles, skittish and refreshing. Quiet perfume of raspberry and white strawberries, a dash of spice. Flavours set to similar spectrum with a squeeze of blood orange and tangerine, ie a little cloying sweetness in the pithy, off-dry citrus mix. Really delicious drinking and damn easy to do so. A nicely put together, elementary sparkling wine of character.”
91 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
"Hand-picked organic shiraz from the Weightman's Block 3. Whole-bunch pressed, made in the traditional method. This is uncomplicated and delicious. Pomegranate and blackberry are the dead giveaway to shiraz, plus lashings of raspberry and watermelon that keep things light. This right here is perfect summer rosé."
91 points, Erin Larkin, Wine Companion
Voyager Estate Sparkling Rosé 2021
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“Voyager Estate is located on Stevens Road in the Boodjidup Valley, which is emerging as hallowed ground (Leeuwin, the western neighbour, Xanadu’s Stevens Road vineyard and the vineyards of Voyager Estate complete the trinity of prestige in this neck of the woods). The estate was established in '78 by viticulturist Peter Gherardi, and later purchased and expanded by Michael Wright in ’91. Michael’s daughter, Alexandra Burt, has been at the helm since ’05. As of ’23, the vineyard and winery are certified organic and there is extensive clonal and varietal experimentation in the estate vineyards.”

★★★★★ Halliday Wine Companion

Country

Australia

Primary Region

Margaret River, Western Australia

People

Winemaker: Tim Shand

Availability

VIC

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