Dr Davies Vineyard – Middlesex Appellation | Pemberton Established 1993

Wignall Vineyard | Albany Established 1982

2025 was another warm year in the Southern regions of WA – although not as extreme as 2024. As usual, the meticulous viticulture of the Davies vineyard came to the fore with perfectly balanced canopies and fruit load. The grapes were harvested with the aim of achieving the perfect balance between ripeness, flavour and acid structure. Free run juice was sent straight to the barrel on full solids. The mid-press was pressed to a stainless steel tank and allowed a “rough” racking the next day to oak (lots of light fluffy solids). Heavy pressings were hyper-oxidised and fined to reduce phenolic grip prior to fermentation. A mixture of natural and Chardonnay specific yeasts was used. Fermentation was conducted 100% in oak under controlled temperature conditions (generally 14-17°C). Post fermentation, the barrels were stirred fortnightly on zero sulphur. MLF was not promoted, with approximately 50% of the barrels undergoing malo. The wine was matured for 10 months in approximately 35% new French oak of varying sizes (predominantly puncheon and hogshead).

Say goodbye to boring chardonnay. There is so much going on in this wine, which is exactly what we aimed to do. Lots of wild, funky notes that surround a core of ripe nectarine and mango and touches of cashew and gunflint. The palate is a finely balanced mix of textural power, complexity and refinement that, like the aromatics, undergoes constant evolution in the glass. The depth of flavour and natural structure would allow for confident cellaring over the next 10 years (at least).

The name “Funka Riche” is a bit of a play on the style of Chardonnay we love to make. Essentially, it’s a funky and rich style that still allows fruit purity to shine through. And who better to sum it up than the great man himself, James Brown, who famously sang “get up – get on up ”.