Trait Wines: Where Passion Meets Pristine Terroir

The Unlikely Genesis of a Vineyard in Margaret River

In 1988, Warren and Gillian Lilleyman embarked on an unforeseen venture, establishing a vineyard in the burgeoning Margaret River region of Western Australia. With little prior experience, much like the area's pioneer viticulturist Tom Cullity, Warren, a physician by profession, and his wife managed to cultivate an almost ideal plot of land. This parcel, situated on a gentle slope with diverse soil profiles, lies at the northwestern edge of Wooditjup National Park, just outside the town of Margaret River itself.

Nurturing a Valued Legacy: The Story of Trait Wines

Theo Truyts and his wife Clare Trythall are the current stewards of this 2.7-hectare site. Theo emphasizes the incredible foresight of the Lilleymans, stating, \"They simply got it right.\" Despite receiving some initial guidance from Dr. Mike Peterkin (founder of the nearby Pierro winery and responsible for the region's first plantings in 1980), much of their success appears to have been serendipitous. The vines, now over 35 years old, consistently yield exceptional fruit, particularly the Chardonnay (especially the GinGin clone, renowned in Margaret River for its concentrated and complex berries). Smaller plots of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, and Semillon also thrive here.

Seizing the Moment: Rescuing a Precious Vineyard

The vineyard faced an uncertain future when its previous lessee, Pierro, decided to relinquish it in May 2019. Theo, who had previously worked at Pierro, recognized the site's inherent quality and was determined to prevent its loss. The vineyard's tight 1m x 1.8m vine spacing, a reflection of Peterkin's original approach at Pierro, necessitates extensive manual labor. As Theo humorously notes, \"It's just close enough that you can't do anything with a machine.\" This, coupled with the low yields from mature vines, presents a significant economic challenge. Yet, Theo saw its potential, believing it to be an indispensable part of Margaret River's viticultural heritage. Clare, anticipating Theo's commitment, supported his decision, and together they secured the lease, founding Trait Wines with the 2019 vintage.

The Labor of Love: Cultivating Excellence

Theo, originally from South Africa, boasts an impressive global winemaking resume, including stints at Yves Cuilleron in the Northern Rhône, Hartford Family in California, and Vasse Felix in Margaret River, in addition to Pierro. He settled in Margaret River after meeting Clare, a British doctor born in Japan who spent her early years in Asia due to her parents' involvement in the shipping industry. Despite Theo's full-time role at Wildberry Springs and Clare's work as an emergency medicine doctor, they also manage their three young sons and their beloved Labradoodle, Bertie. The onset of the pandemic shortly after acquiring the vineyard added another layer of complexity. In late 2020, Theo, Clare, and her sister Laura painstakingly grafted 0.3 hectares of Sauvignon Blanc over to Chardonnay by hand. During the subsequent harvest, Clare enlisted medical students to help with grape picking, as external labor was scarce due to the pandemic. Theo has since focused on nurturing the site and its soils, which are already showing remarkable improvements in health. The Trait approach is pragmatic: maximizing the vineyard's potential primarily through manual cultivation. They are also acquiring additional plots to produce small quantities of red and rosé wines, using Cabernet Sauvignon and Grenache, to complement their existing white offerings.

A Testament to Independence and Quality

Trait Wines does not possess its own winery; production currently takes place at Aravina Estate in Yallingup. Crucially, Theo and Clare operate independently, without external investors. Their entire operation is self-funded, a true labor of love. This dedication, combined with the exceptional vineyard, results in something truly extraordinary. The passion with which they discuss their vineyard and winemaking process speaks volumes about their commitment. The initial results are highly promising. While their annual production stands at a modest 10,000 bottles, their wines are rapidly gaining recognition across Australia and are poised to achieve international acclaim.