The Howling Wolves lair is a large, modern state of the art winery on seventeen picturesque hectares of rich, ochre soil shaded by tall stands of native trees, one of the largest in Western Australia. No detail has ever been overlooked in the winemaking process and no corners are cut in applying the most exacting standards of vinification. Initially established to process grapes and provide the very best service to local growers, Howling Wolves now collate the most exceptional parcels of Margaret River fruit to be vinified under their own label.
Parcels of grapes are selected from the choicest sites with a view to create fully integrated wines with the requisite balance and optimum flavour profile. The traditional approach to winemaking at Howling Wolves is facilitated by state of the art technology. No stage of the vinification process is left to chance, the fermenting juices are closely scrutinized by sensors which monitor and attenuate the environment and evolution of the wine. Stringent temperature controls are an essential consideration, from the sorting stage, throughout production and into maturation.
Howling Wolves are crafted by a team of dedicated growers and accomplished winemakers, all take an interest in ensuring that the finished wines are of the highest possible quality, always. Howling Wolves is the embodiement of new world wine treated with old world sensitivity, the most precious fruit, handled with the utmost care.
Fruit is picked in the cool of the night and immediately processed on arrival to maximise varietal characters and minimise oxidation. The juices are vinified to a process aimed at developing the fullest aromatic profile whilst retaining the natural expression of fruit.
The majority of vineyard blocks contributing fruit for Howling Wolves are bordered by towering eucalypt trees that influence the grapes to develop distinctive qualities which are a trademark of Margaret River. This is particularly recognizable in the red varietals which take on unique mint and gum leaf characters. A spell of ageing under fine French oak further infuses the palate with vanilla bean and light spice.
Howling Wolves retain access to the finest parcels of fruit available in within the Margaret River sub region of Willyabrup. Grapes are harvested from blocks which have been earmarked on the basis of strong varietal definition and refined tannins, to a schedule determined by full physiological ripeness. Following a sorting and crush at the winery, the batches are treated to a cold soak for the extraction of flavour and tannins, before being inoculated by a selection of yeasts for temperature controlled fermentations in tank. Matured to soften the tannins and integrate the components under a selection of French oaks, followed by a 100% vegan fining to smooth the palate and make Howling Wolves approachable immediately on release.
Howling Wolves incorporates traditional winemaking philosophies with cutting edge vinification techiques. As always, the quality of fruit is paramount, grapes are chosen on the basis of good varietal expression, full ripeness with fine balance between natural sugars, acid and smooth tannins.
