Clairault Streicker's pocket of paradise | Pickled Pixie

As the summer winds lifted me along the coast, I spied with my little pixie eyes a sign that led to a special part of our region’s rich wine history, a truly beautiful gem – Clairault Streicker.

As you turn into the driveway, do not rush this part of the journey. Instead, surrender to the scenery and let the beauty of the bushland unfold with each curve and rise of the road until you reach the winery, where breathtaking views of sweeping vineyards await.

It’s the kind of place you know… you’ve “arrived“. It feels like you should and need to be here. It’s everything you’d expect and wish for when visiting a wine estate.

The rustic wood, stone, and rammed earth facade leading into the working winery imparts a Tuscan feel, while the exquisite tasting room and restaurant nestle flawlessly into the natural surroundings, offering the perfect balance of sophistication and welcoming country-style vibes.

You can tell that the people behind this special place know exactly what they are doing and really care.

And with a new Head Chef on board, bringing simply gorgeous, innovative creations from kitchen gardens to the plate- this can’t get much better.

Oh, but wait…it can! Wine, my friends. Wine!

With some of the oldest plantings in the region, Clairault Streicker has deep roots steeped in history. Their story is one of dedication, family, and world-class wine.

The Clairault part of this tale began in 1976 when Ani and Ian Lewis established their first four hectares of vines on this incredible property.

Two decades later, they passed the baton to the local Martin family, who introduced low-intervention and biological farming practices.

In 2012, the Streicker chapter began, and the vineyards and wines expanded in a new direction as Clairault Streicker.

Today, this family-owned winery, featuring four vineyards covering over 200 hectares, a charming farm-to-table restaurant, and a fabulous cellar door, continues to craft some of the finest wines in Margaret River.

But one wine shone like the most beautiful blushing star- a Pinot Noir Rosé. Finding a regional Pinot is as arduous as Indiana Jones looking for the Lost Arc! But when you do, it feels just as exciting as uncovering hidden treasure.

Because my little winos, Pinot Noir, is a finicky and fussy grape that requires certain conditions for it to behave and blossom-a climate that is not typical of this region.

Pinot loves cooler temperatures and adores limestone soils, which is why its home, in Burgundy, France (since the 1st century AD), produces some of the most exquisite expressions of this grape.

Derived from the French words pine and black, Pinot Noir’s tightly clustered pinecone-shaped fruit bunches are prone to disease in warmer climates and shuddered and wince in frosts and high winds.

Often called the “heartbreaker” due to its delicate, thin, easily damaged skin, Pinot has caused many a winemaker to cry with deep sorrow while trying to cultivate it.

However, Clairault Streicker is far from heartbroken. Their Bridgeland vineyard in Karridale presents a rare pocket of love for Pinot plantings.

“Growing Pinot in our region is achievable, but it is very much about the soils and climate being matched to the vine’s needs and metabolism. We have nailed a small vineyard parcel that meets this criteria,” Chris Gillmore, Clairault Streicker’s senior Vineyard Manager and Viticulturist explained.

“The Bridgeland vineyard offers a cooler climate, with its gentle southern facing slope, meaning it gets less light and heat than a northern facing side.

“It has a deep valley that is air-locked at night, leaving the cold air hanging in the valley slopes until mid-morning through the vintage period.”

Burgundy’s oceanic climate is a major player in the French region’s pretty Pinots, and therefore, our similar maritime temperament offers a unique gift to our regional Pinot Noir.

“Distance from the maritime influence of all three ocean bodies (Southern, Indian and Geographe Bay) render the climate closer to Nannup or Pemberton than the rest of Margaret River,” Chris noted.

“So we get cooler temperatures overnight and increased cloudiness during the day, which enhances our flavour development significantly.”

While climate is crucial, clonal choices are essential for Pinot Noir’s distinct personalities.

Different clones (types) result in different quality levels and tastes in wine. Some clones make bold and robust wines; others are pale-coloured but offer fabulous floral aromas.

“The Bridgeland vineyard is amazing because we’ve planted a variety of Pinot Noir clones to yield complexity to the wines,” Clairault Streicker’s Head Winemaker, Bruce Dukes said.

“But it’s more than that.

“We’ve established this plot to serve as a living library of Pinot clones to benefit Margaret River’s viticulturists and winemakers, allowing them to taste and observe the clonal differences.

“This understanding empowers them to make informed decisions for our wine region’s future.”

Clones play a critical role in crafting exceptional Rosé.

Bruce explained, “Our Dijon clone Pinot Noir is ideal for Rosé because the vines reach physiological ripeness at low sugar levels, resulting in a beautiful natural balance of fruit.”

“We begin harvesting at first light, gently crushing and pressing the fruit to extract only the finest tannins and the delicate pink hues from the flavour-rich skins.

“We bottle the wine in winter so that as summer begins, the wine is ready to enjoy in sync with the season.”

And this is the thing about Rosé: it’s the perfect segue wine from Spring to Summer, with its gentle swing between red and white and dark and light.

Upon seeing this shyly blushing beauty for tasting – with its delicate provincial-style apricot hue – the promise of deliciousness was too much to bear!

With a flurry of wings and the anticipation of an afternoon tipple, one could not help but dive in. And if you follow my lead, here’s what’s in store…

Pickled Pixie Review:

2024 Clairault Pinot Noir Rosé

“A good rosé is like a blossoming bouquet. This stunner opens with aromas of raspberry, cranberry, and satsuma plum, accented by light notes of honeyed dried fruits. The palate presents a delicate, refined mix of subtle red fruits and herbal undertones. It’s savoury with lively acidity, finishing long and true to the fruit. One sip, and you’ll dream you’re in the south of France.”

Saunter out to the deck and sip your Rosé alongside Chef Michael Talbott’s Local tomatoes, grilled peach, burrata, crostini and basil, or the Ricotta Gnocchi, spinach, candied olive, pine nuts, sage, and provolone or go the succulent Slow Cooked Pork Belly, nectarine, charred cabbage, nduja butter and jus.

With so many beautiful wines to pair with and produce to match, Chef Michael is endlessly inspired.

“We’re so lucky to have beautiful, fresh food at our fingertips, ” he said.

“I enjoy experimenting with what’s in season, chatting with local suppliers, and creating and trialling new dishes. Our menu constantly changes, so I am continually changing and fine-tuning it.”

Although the spirited Chef has the freedom to curate the menu with whatever seasonal inspo takes hold, he likes to “just cook food that he thinks people want to eat, keeping it simple and letting the produce speak without over-refinement.”

Talking of refinement – if you prefer sumptuous al fresco dining, Clairault Streicker invites you to recline in style with an exquisite picnic lunch and views.

“The new Ultimate Picnic Experience pulls together everything we love about our beautiful region – fresh air, beautiful scenery, delicious wine and food. All served in a true Margaret River casual but luxurious style,” Venue and Brand Manager Ulrika Larsson said.

Seated cosily in a secluded spot on the lawn under the shade of towering trees, your delicious three-course lunch will be served on a custom-made picnic table, accompanied by perfectly paired wines, serenity and uninterrupted vineyard views. Pixie Tip: Book ahead!

Leaving this heavenly place is hard. Time stands gratefully still for a while, woven with the songs of Kookaburras and the gentle sounds of Carnaby’s flying overhead.

You have the space to just be and enjoy this moment with your friends and family.

Add Clairault’s ‘Pinot Noir Rosé’ to your day, and you’ll smile happily into summer.

Or as Bruce Dukes says, “A glass of Rosé, soft rays of sunshine before sunset, a few green olives and bida bada boom!”

Farewell to next time.

Have fun. Discover. Live.

P.P