Patrick Sullivan Willow Creek Chardonnay 2025

With a wine label only a dozen years in, and with less than ten vintages of Chardonnay behind him, it’s a remarkably short period for any producer to accomplish what Patrick Sullivan has: his Chardonnays have become iconic of Australia's wine landscape and his name has become tied to that variety indelibly.

Patrick's interest in vineyards is significant. His pursuit of the perfect sites led him to study oenology and viticulture and took him into vineyards before he began producing wine. This journey led him to the dramatic landscapes of Gippsland's cool climate country, and particularly to the ancient volcanic soils of Baw Baw shire around the Strezlecki Ranges, where he established his estate, Tumblestone Farm and took on long term leases with mature vineyards such as Ada River, Bull Swamp and Camp Hill.

Patrick now exclusively produces Chardonnay under his eponymous label and after several vintages in Gippsland only, his interests have spread further south, now producing Chardonnay from volcanic soils on the Limestone Coast and single site Chardonnays from the Yarra Valley.

This release is a remarkable feat for Patrick & Megan. The wines all share a taught, almost crystaline clarity and density in structure while all presenting a sense of unfurled generosity to come over the next several years of cellaring.

Willow Lake Vineyard is located at Gladysdale in the Upper Yarra, with vines planted between 1979 and 1982, making it one of the oldest sites in the sub-region. Gladysdale sits at the southern end of the valley where surrounding forests create a mesoclimate that contributes to the supple structure and rich aromatics characteristic of the area.

The vineyard is situated at 300 metres elevation on slightly north-facing slopes, composed of volcanic basalt-derived soils that encourage deep root development. Viticulturist Tim Wray has been at Willow Lake since 1996, and focuses on ecosystem balance to produce strong and healthy vines for high quality grapes.