Located in Wadandi Boodja in the South West corner of Western Australia, Jilyara is hidden away in the sub-region of Wilyabrup, in the heart of the famed Margaret River wine region. It is a small in size, but big in passion, family owned and run vineyard.
The wine that time built.
Jilyara is a rather magical blend of factors. A pristine pocket of Wilyabrup, destined for fine wine making. A meticulous hands-on vineyard manager. A free range fun loving family. And an abundance of buzzing bees.
In 1995 the sentiment was let’s give this ago. The vineyard was planted, and the seeds of a future in wine were sewn.
From their deep roots in grape growing, in 2018 the Cotterell-Bergstrom family birthed their wine label Jilyara - a dedication to pure, detailed, and expressive wines from the Margaret River Wine Region in Western Australia.
The vineyard’s name Jilyara is derived from djilyaro, meaning bees in the local indigenous Noongar language.
The equilibrium of the bush and the vineyard is a poetic narrative which underpins the natural beauty of the vineyard.
Jilyara observes the six Noongar seasons; Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang to drive pruning, wire lifting, grazing and picking.
The immaculate symmetry of the vineyard is an ode to its well-considered planting and Craig Cotterell, the perfectionist. The hand squished snails, individually plucked leaves, regenerative farming approaches, and eager eye for detail don’t go unnoticed.
Winemaker Kate Morgan joined Jilyara in 2018 and has a natural affinity to Wilyabrup after spending nearly 10 years working with Fraser Gallop Estate. Drawing on her extensive local and international experience, Kate crafts wines of the highest quality; respecting the fruit and allowing the wine to express the terroir of the vineyard.
Celebrated as a finalist for both Young Gun Winemaker of the Year and Gourmet Traveller Young Winemaker of the Year, Kate’s career which spans Australia, the United Kingdom, USA, and Portugal can be described as diverse, brilliant, and eminent.
Jilyara produces three distinct wine collections:
Honeycomb Corner
Jilyara is also home to the Cotterell-Bergstrom family, a playground for their children and a space where they indulge in their passion for exceptional wine every day. Craig, Maria and their four children are all an integral part of the vineyard, and they feel truly lucky to live & work on this land and be part its history & future.