Who makes it
Roger Hill and Gillian Anderson founded Juniper as a wine business in 1998. Andrew later became Juniper Estate's head winemaker, and the named Juniper Cabernet Merlot uses Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
The producer's vineyards are associated with Margaret River, including sites in Wilyabrup and Karridale. Its documented wines include the Juniper Cabernet Merlot and the Crossing Cabernet Merlot, with composition changing across vintages.
Where it grows
Margaret River lies in southwestern Western Australia, 270 kilometres south of Perth. Juniper's cellar door stands on Tom Cullity Drive between the Wilyabrup vineyard and Wilyabrup Brook.
The vineyard geography extends from Wilyabrup to Karridale. Higher Plane sits south of the Margaret River town, while the cellar door remains beside the Wilyabrup site and brook.
How it is made
The cellar
The central Wilyabrup vineyard was planted in 2008 and has been sustainably farmed since planting. All three Juniper vineyard sites obtained certification under the Sustainable Winemaking Australia program in late 2022.
The available production detail is strongest in the vineyards. Fermentation vessels, extraction methods, ageing vessels, oak origin and ageing duration are not specified for the wines named here.
What they make
Juniper Cabernet Merlot sits under the South West Australia designation and is made from Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The succeeding 2024 Crossing Cabernet Merlot is described as medium bodied, with vibrant berry fruit, savoury flavours, soft tannins, subtle acidity and a satisfying finish.
The 2018 Crossing Cabernet Merlot used five grape varieties: 55% Cabernet, 38% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec and 1% Petit Verdot. The bottles therefore move from a two variety Cabernet Merlot to a broader five variety composition in the documented Crossing vintage.