Margaret River Wineries: Firetail Wines

I love it when you come across a hidden gem. Our stop into Firetail Wines in Rosa Glen, about 15kms out of Margaret River town was all thanks to my Dad. We were driving by after visiting The Berry Farm and he thought it would be a good spot to whet our palates on our way to lunch (which didn’t actually happen as we got caught up stopping for so many wine tastings – sorry Mum!).

My Dad is a very smart man because Firetail blew our socks off. A gorgeous wee cellar door, super friendly customer service and the tipples were absolutely divine.

After winding our way up the driveway we came to this cute little two-story loft like cottage which overlooked a beautiful vineyard. We were greeted by a bunch of chickens and the gorgeous fluff-ball of a Samoyed named Cara.

The cellar door has a gorgeous deck that looks over the vines which would be the perfect spot to enjoy an afternoon of wine drinking. When you enter the cellar door you can tell it’s been created with passion and obviously a love for wood! Between the Jarrah used and the lovely use of stained French Oak from the wine barrels it adds to the tasting experience.

Jess greeted us warmly when we entered the cellar door. She is from an electrical engineering background and now owns and operates Firetail with her hubby Rob who comes from a chemical engineering background and is funnily enough from the same very small town in New Zealand that I was born in! Go the Kiwis!

As we went through the tasting Jess was super down to earth and highly knowledgable on all things wine (she’s studied her Masters of Viticulture at the University of Melbourne). I loved everything from the glasses used – making sure we had the bubbles in flutes and red wine in proper red wine glasses was a nice touch and just goes to show that Jess and Rob want their wines to shine in the very best light when tasting at the cellar door.

Upon starting our tasting we were given a tasting list and coloured pencils so we could write notes or just give smiley faces to the wines we liked. Definitely a nice touch, however I admit we were all lacking in the taking notes department! It was also nice that our lovely skipper, Mr. Spittoon was offered a coffee and water.

It was interesting to learn that Firetail began with a vineyard in the Geographe wine region, which the couple still own and grow their Merlot on. After acquiring this property in 2000, in 2002 they found the Margaret River vineyard which is now their home base.

If you’re in and around Margaret River I would highly recommend stopping into Firetail and definitely keep and eye out for their vinos – they’re definitely worth seeking out.

Firetail Tasting Notes:

Firetail 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon

Firetail was another random cellar door that Dad decided we should stop at on our recent Margaret River trip, and it was a favourite all round! He sure does pick them! Top quality vinos, awesome service and a beautiful Samoyed called Cara. It was also rather funny that the hubby was from the same small town in NZ that I was born in!

There were 2 Cab’s for taste at the cellar door when we visited, a 2010 and the 2012 which Dad and I both fell in love with. It’s the colour of black Doris plums on the eye. Scents of newly polished leather shoes & horse saddles plus cinnamon and orange peel rise from the glass. The palate gives you a ‘smack in the upper lip’ as my Dad put it – but that’s in a good way! Full bodied, full of texture and a super long finish with flavours of tobacco, roasted coffee and dark berries entertaining the palate. RRP $28

All opinions are based on my own (and Dads) taste buds.

Firetail 2012 Sparkling Chardonnay

Firetail Wines in Margaret River – what a hidden gem! The 2012 Sparkling Chardonnay was exceptional at $35 a pop. 
Pale silver with a tinge of yellow on the eye and literally thousands of teeny tiny fast streaming bubbles – so eloquent. The nose is full of crisp pear, apple, oranges and creamy citrus notes with a touch of nuttiness. Super smooth mouthfeel and mousse, the bubbles literally dance across the palate. Perfectly balanced and it makes an excellent aperitif or breakfast bubbles ? All opinions are based on my own taste buds.

Firetail 2012 Just Desserts

It’s not typical of Mr.Spittoon and I to sit back and enjoy a ‘sticky’ or dessert wine but on this particular occasion we were in the mood for something sweet and this combo, a chilled bottle of Firetail 2012 Cane Cut Semillon Sauvignon Blanc & NZ’s L&P Whittackers choccie went down a treat!

On the eye it’s a gold shade with a brass tinge. Delectable whiffs of honey and lemon meringue pie entice the nose. On the palate it has nearly a syrupy texture yet lovely acidity which cuts through the sweetness and makes it rather refreshing. Flavours of honeyed nuts, pears and a touch of baking spice stand out for me and it has a lovely long happily ever after finish. RRP $18.50

All opinions are based on my own taste buds.

Firetail 2013 Semillon

I love a straight Semillon and this 2013 Firetail is delish! I picked it up from the cellar door in Margaret River for $19.

It’s a lemon lime colour on the eye. On the nose it’s rich, creamy and oak-driven with aromas of barbecued grapefruit, florals, flint and a slight whiff of honey. Super smooth and silky on the palate with crisp apples & acidity and creamy honeydew melon & oak dominating for me – it’s a stunner!

All opinions are based on my own taste buds.

Visiting Firetail Wines:

Address: 21 Bessell Road, Firetail Wines, Rosa Glen WA 6285
Phone: (08) 9757 5156
Email: [email protected]
Opening times: 7 days a week from 11-5
Wine Styles/Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, SSB, Dessert Wine, Rose, Sparkling Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Wine tasting cost: Free!
Food available: No
Kid friendly: There are some toys for the little ones in the cellar door
Website: www.firetail.com.au