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WELCOME TO VASSE FELIX

2016

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M A R G A R E T R I V E R

MARGARET RIVER: A REMOTE AND PRISTINE PARADISE

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Southern Ocean

IndianOcean

MARGARET RIVER WINE REGIONVASSE FELIX

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MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE

Wet winters and long, dry summers (growing season).

MARITIME INFLUENCE

Small diurnal variance, moderated by region’s cape location, proximity to the Indian and Southern Oceans and associated sea breezes.

PERFECT SOILS

Gravel-loam over clay. These dry, lean soils provide ideal drainage for optimum balances between vine growth and yield.

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M A R G A R E T R I V E R

MARGARET RIVER: A REMOTE AND PRISTINE PARADISE

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MARGARET RIVER: A REMOTE AND PRISTINE PARADISE

WINE REGION # WINES

MARGARET RIVER 8

YARRA VALLEY 8

MORNINGTON PENINSULA 4

BEECHWORTH 3

TASMANIA 2

MACEDON RANGES 2

OTHER REGIONS (1 WINE ONLY) 3

TOTAL 30

CHARDONNAY

VINTAGE '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 '11 ‘12 ‘13 MARGARET RIVER 9 7 8 8 7 10 10 10 10 9 9 10

ADELAIDE HILLS 10 8 9 8 7 8 6 10 9 4 9 10

HUNTER VALLEY 8 10 8 8 8 8 4 9 10 8 7 9

MORNINGTON PENINSULA 6 8 9 8 9 8 8 6 9 6 9 9

YARRA VALLEY 10 8 9 9 9 8 7 4 10 7 9 9

LANGTON’S VINTAGE RATINGS CABERNET SAUVIGNON

VINTAGE '02 '03 '04 '05 '06 '07 '08 '09 '10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13 MARGARET RIVER 9 7 10 8 6 10 10 10 10 9 9 9 COONAWARRA 9 8 9 9 9 7 8 8 9 6 10 9

EDEN VALLEY 9 6 7 8 7 8 8 8 10 7 9 9

YARRA VALLEY 10 8 9 9 9 7 7 4 9 5 9 9

WINE REGION # WINES

MARGARET RIVER 16

LANGHORNE CREEK 4

BAROSSA VALLEY 6

SOUTH AUSTRALIA 4

YARRA VALLEY 3

COONAWARRA 2

EDEN VALLEY 2

CLARE VALLEY 2

FRANKLAND RIVER 2

HEATHCOTE 2

OTHER REGIONS (1 WINE ONLY) 5

TOTAL 48

CABERNET SAUVIGNON & FAMILY

REGIONAL PERFORMANCE: BEST OF THE BEST BY VARIETYJAMES HALLIDAY 2016 WINE COMPANION

Ratings: 10 Outstanding Vintage, 9-8 Very Good, 7-6 Average, 5-4 Ordinary, 3 Disastrous http://www.langtons.com.au/tools/VintageChart.aspx

CHARDONNAY

Margaret River is responsible for 1.6% of Australia’s total Chardonnay production and 3.1% of Australia’s total Cabernet production (2012 vintage).

Although the region contributes only 3 per cent of Australia’s wine grapes, Margaret River commands over 20 per cent of its premium wine market.

(Wine Australia)

“The dominance of Margaret River is likely to continue; not only is the climate ideally suited, but it is also far more consistent than that of any other Australian region.”

James Halliday, on Margaret River Cabernet.

1955 Professor Harold Olmo (UC Davis)recommends Australia’s South-West for premium viticulture

1965 Dr John Gladstonesreports Margaret River’s similar climate to Bordeaux

1801 The French map Australia’s South-West, Thomas Timothee Vasse disappears

1967 Dr Tom Cullityplants Vasse Felix Vineyard

1971 First Vasse Felix harvest

1972 First Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon made

2014 “Unlike any other wine region in the world I can think of, since 2007 Margaret River has enjoyed an unbroken succession of excellent vintages.” Jancis Robinson MW

Margaret River establishes itself as a leading wine region for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay

2017 50 years of Margaret River (Vasse Felix) wine

THEN: Vasse Felix Founder Dr Tom CullityThe first Cabernet, 1972 vintage.

NOW: The Estate & Premier Wines

MARGARET RIVER’S FOUNDING WINE ESTATE - ESTABLISHED 1967

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VASSE FELIX’S UNIQUE PROPOSITION

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PRIVILEGED HERITAGE

Margaret River’s founding wine estate

Margaret River’s oldest vines

Margaret River’s first Cabernet Sauvignon

Dr Tom Cullity

PRIVILEGED HERITAGE

Strong family ownership (Heytesbury)

Long-term vision

Ongoing investment, innovation

Talent and youth

TRUSTED QUALITY

Long-term critical acclaim

Estate grown - Estate bottled

Quality/value at every level, every time

WINE STYLE - BALANCE & ELEGANCE

• All production from vineyard to bottle managed within the Estate

• Four specialty vineyards around Margaret River including the Region’s oldest

• Cabernet & Chardonnay focus

• Biological farming principles: “Fruit quality through plant health, and plant health through soil health.”

CABERNET SAUVIGNON

MALBEC

SHIRAZ

CHARDONNAY

SAUVIGNON BLANC

SEMILLON

MARGARET RIVER KEY VARIETIES

THE VASSE FELIX WINE COLLECTION

ICON

PREMIER

FILIUS

ICONA selection of the most striking barrels from the vintage, representing Margaret River’s flagship varieties; Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

PREMIERThe varieties and styles that are benchmarks and synonymous with Margaret River. Renowned for their elegance, finesse and balance, and tell of the vintage as experienced in Vasse Felix’s Premier Vineyards.

FILIUS‘Son of’ the Vasse Felix Cabernet & Chardonnay. Margaret River’s leading varieties, sourced from all of the Vasse Felix Vineyards in a more generous style.

• Fine-dining marquee establishments

• Private collectors

• ‘Rare & fine’ in fine wine retail

• Fine-dining

• Gastro pubs & small bars

• Boutique wine retail, select fine wine multiples

• Private collector clubs

• By the glass a priority: Bistros, restaurants, hotels, gastro pubs & small bars

• Premium multiples and fine wine retail (broad distribution)

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HEYTESBURY CHARDONNAY & HEYTESBURY

CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CHARDONNAY, SAUVIGNON BLANC SEMILLON, SHIRAZ

FILIUS CABERNET SAUVIGNON &FILIUS CHARDONNAY

CHARDONNAY

• Modern Margaret River style

• Site influences contribute the distinguishing differences to each wine

• Fruit is harvested, chilled and pressed

• Unclarified juice is barrel fermented - French oak with only natural yeast from the vineyards

• Each parcel matures on lees in barrel for nine months with battonage

• Post-maturation, the Chardonnay is graded to make three distinct wines from the vintage

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CABERNET SAUVIGNON

• Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon was the first Cabernet made in Margaret River (1972 vintage)

• Elegance, finesse, balance

• Most parcels are left on skins in small static fermenters for up to 30 days (extended maceration) to extract optimum fruit and tannin

• 100% wild yeast fermentation for Cabernet Sauvignon and Heytesbury from 2012 vintage

• 18 months maturation in French oak (12 months for Filius)

• Post-maturation, the Cabernet and blending varieties are graded to make three distinct wines from the vintage

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AF

FIL

IAT

ION

S

TOP 100 WINERY - 2012

2 X CLASSIFIED WINES‘OUTSTANDING’ HEYTESBURY

‘EXCELLENT’ CABERNET SAUVIGNON

WINE STAR AWARDS 2014WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR

NOMINATION VIRGINIA WILLCOCK

5 STAR WINERY

GOLD MEDALLIST

AC

CO

LAD

ES

“VASSE FELIX’S RANGE OF EXCEPTIONAL WINES MAKES IT A GREAT AMBASSADOR FOR MARGARET RIVER.”

JOSH GREENE EDITOR WINE & SPIRITS

AFFILIATIONS & ACCOLADES

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“Consistently among the best Margaret River Chardonnays.” Wine Enthusiast, USA on 2013 Heytesbury Chardonnay

“Vasse Felix is one of Australia’s most esteemed wineries and their chardonnays have a track record for aging quite gracefully.”

Josh Raynolds, A Taste of the IWC, USA

“Real deal. Will give any Burgundy a run for their money.” James Suckling, USA on 2010 Heytesbury Chardonnay.

“I’ve tasted a lot of world class Cabernet Sauvignon this year from Bordeaux, Tuscany, California and many from Margaret River and Coonawarra, but none have been classier than this.”

Tim White, Australian Fin. Review on 2009 Heytesbury

“Personally, I am reconsidering my opinion on Australian reds...” Jacques Benoit, La Pressa, Montreal, CA on 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon.

“Vasse Felix continues to be a beacon in this region, and not only for its flagship wines, but throughout the range.

Huon Hooke, Sydney Morning Herald, AU.

“Vasse Felix is most certainly one of the stand-out wineries of Australia and it’s unlikely you will find a better chardonnay or cabernet from Margaret River, or maybe even Australia.”

Wine Times, Hong Kong

“No one can doubt the quality or the longevity of this iconic wine.”James Halliday, AU on 2011 Heytesbury

“Vasse Felix’s range of exceptional wines makes it a great amabassador for Margaret River.”

Josh Greene Wine & Spirits, USA

“As they say, the face of modern Australian Chardonnay.” Sarah Ahmed The Wine Detective, UK

“Vasse Felix is in orbit right now.”Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines, UK

“Among the best in the region...and certainly the best value.”Ray Jordan The West Australian Wine Guide, AU

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

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POINT OF SALE & RESOURCES

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WINE TASTING

All current vintage wines in the Vasse Felix Collection can be tasted at the cellar door tasting bar, 10am-5pm daily.

ART GALLERY

Seasonal exhibitions from the Holmes à Court Collection, one of Australia’s largest private art collections are held throughout the year.

RESTAURANT

À la carte menu serving lunch daily since 1989. One of Australia’s Top 100 Restaurants as rated by Gourmet Traveller Magazine and the Australian Financial Review.

SHOWCASING THE WINES & PRODUCE OF THE REGION - THE ESTATE

WINE LOUNGE

Wines are available by the glass or bottle, accompanied with gourmet morsels in the contemporary wine lounge.

TOURS

Behind the scenes tours operate weekdays. These can be arranged directly with the Estate and can also be booked through a selection of international travel distribution partners.

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KEY PEOPLE

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & OWNERPAUL HOLMES À COURT

CHIEF WINEMAKERVIRGINIA WILLCOCK

MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGERLLOYD CONSTANTINE

EXECUTIVE CHEFAARON CARR