WINE COUNTRY

LUKE AND MAREE JOLLIFFE HAVE FOUND THE RIGHT BLEND, RAISING THEIR FAMILY ON THE MARGARET RIVER COAST.

Luke Jolliffe, the chief winemaker at Stella Bella, has built a life with his wife Maree and their family in Western Australia’s Margaret River region.

WINEMAKER LUKE JOLLIFFE and his wife Maree enjoy retelling their particular case of sliding doors. In 2003, Luke left Hardys Tintara at Mclaren Vale, to work in vineyards in the south of Western Australia, while Maree, from Donnybrook, ventured east to take up a post at Hardys just a month later. It wasn’t until December 2006 when, in a happy twist of fate, the pair finally met at a mutual friend’s birthday party in Adelaide. “It was an instant connection and we never looked back,” says Maree. “It’s a nice story; he was living where I’m from and I was living where he’s from and I made friends with his circle.” Not long after, the couple settled in Margaret River, married in 2016 and purchased their dream block at Gnarabup Beach. In between stints in France and Italy, Luke took a role with Stella Bella Wines, first as vintage assistant and then chief winemaker from 2013. Last year was Stella Bella’s most successful wine show season yet, winning 14 trophies including the best single vineyard white wine for the 2017 Luminosa Chardonnay and best wine at the Margaret River Wine Show for the 2017 Suckfizzle Chardonnay. Born in South Australia’s Clare Valley, Luke studied viticulture and oenology, and worked in various wine regions including the Rhone Valley. The ever-evolving Margaret River holds special appeal however, not just for its winemaking but the laid-back, outdoor lifestyle. “I love the freedom and space of living close to the ocean and being able to go mountain bike riding,” the 41-year-old says, who rides twice a week at nearby trails. “Winemaking in Margaret River is such a pleasurable experience. The vineyards have much to offer and our climate is so consistent that you can produce something of international quality every year. The wines of the whole region are getting better, especially chardonnay, cabernet, sauvignon blanc and semillon blends, and that’s what I am passionate about — trying to make the best possible wines.” Maree managed the cellar at Devil’s Lair in the nearby Forest Grove region until the arrival of the couple’s son Lenny, now four, and later, one-year-old Mo. She has returned to part-time work while raising her children. “The coast and the wine region is a perfect fit for us and a lot of lifelong friends from the industry are here,” says 39-year-old Maree. “There are so many cafes, restaurants >

MARGARET RIVER WA PEOPLE The Jolliffe family at Gnarabup Beach.“we dreamed of buying a block near the beach,” says Maree. “We feel so lucky to be able to hear the ocean.” FACING PAGE Chief winemaker Luke Jolliffe and his wife Maree with son Lenny and border collie Matilda in the barrel hall at Stella Bella winery in Karridale.