Organics at Frankland Estate

From the time they began planting Isolation Ridge in 1988, Judi Cullam and Barrie Smith never wavered in their commitment to respect the land. The family have always invested time and energy into maintaining the ecological balance of the region, nurturing the microbiology of our soils and supporting causes to improve the health and future prosperity of our local fauna and flora.

We took this a step further with conversion to organic viticulture on our Isolation Ridge vineyard in 2005, and received full organic certification just in time for the 2009 harvest. Since then, all of the wines produced from Isolation Ridge carry full organic certification through Australian Certified Organics (ACO). This certification involves yearly audits and random sampling of produce to ensure our customers have peace of mind in knowing that the wine they are drinking is fully certified.  

Organic principles prohibit the use of synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, fungicides and plant growth hormones. Instead, we at Frankland Estate rely on mid-row cultivation, as well as a range of composting and mulching techniques, to increase soil fertility and encourage biodiversity.

Our decision to become fully certified evolved as a natural progression from farming with minimal inputs under a “sustainable farming practice” method. At Frankland Estate we value the importance of organic farming and agricultural sustainability. We practise what we preach our vineyard, and the results speak for themselves in the wines.

“It is also fascinating to see how Cabernet Franc has become the driving force behind the wine. The combination of terroir, varietal character, and winemaking techniques bring a distinct singularity of style. The purity of fruit, ferruginous minerality and gentle vigour are all neatly aligned.”

- Andrew Caillard MW

Harold Olmo was a believer in Frankland River. He was the U.S.-born viticulturist who, back in 1955, declared that this place was at least the equal of any place in Australia or California when it came to the potential for Bordeaux-beating Cabernet blends.

The Smith Cullam family were believers in Olmo. Judi Cullam and Barrie Smith named their ambitious flagship blend after him when they started producing it back in the ‘90s. All the way back then, they set out to highlight the nuance, allure and strength of a varietally blended wine, in a market that was at the time - and remains today - dominated by single-varietal wines. 

Though the make-up has changed over the years, the mission has not. Olmo’s Reward is resolutely open-hearted yet restrained, that rare medium-bodied flagship that speaks with a quiet, measured authority, It is not an ‘international’ style of wine; it's a wine that expresses Isolation Ridge and the beauty, ruggedness and singularity of this place.

Judi and Barrie’s children, Hunter and Elizabeth Smith, are believers in Olmo’s Reward. Along with Elizabeth’s husband Brian Kent, who joined the team in 2010, we’ve worked tirelessly to guide this wine to greatness. As with all these things, it has evolved to sit at the top echelon of Australia’s single-site red blends thanks to a series of one-percenters: Organic viticulture; lower production; hero status for Cabernet Franc; gentler extraction; older, larger oak; shorter maturation; and greater confidence in the wine’s singularity. 

“The consistency across vintages highlights a thoughtful, empathetic and precise approach to winemaking,” wrote Andrew Caillard MW following a 14-wine vertical dating back to 1994. “Red fruit characters and a strong tannin presence are found in almost all vintages. This is generally offset by good density and maturation complexity. A firm bittersweet finish lengthens the palate. The elegance, energy, rusty/sturdy textures and vinosity are standout features of the style.”

It is another perspective from which to appreciate Frankland River, Isolation Ridge and our family values. We hope you take great pleasure in discovering it.