Chidlow's Well

Awards and Reviews

Chidlows Well is now owned and operated by Sandy Gray and Peter Costa and has grown in reputation for award winning wines.

MUNDARING MAGAZINE

August 2003

Bjorn Anthony

Despite being derided as lacking flavour by some, Chenin Blanc continues to prosper in Western Australia. Known as Pineau de la Loire in France and Steen or Stein in South Africa, it flourishes predominately in areas of low summer rainfall, as it is susceptible to fungal diseases. In France it produces wonderfully flavoured wines ranging in style from sparkling to dry to lusciously sweet. In Australia it is usually made in the dryer style.

Sandy Gray and Peter Costa own and manage their Chidlow vineyard that is planted not only to Chenin Blanc, but also Chardonnay, Verdelho and Shiraz. Planting began in 1995 and the combination of competent winemaking, ideal weather and fertile free-draining soils have produced medal-winning Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc at both the Perth Hills and Swan Valley wine shows.

The Estate takes its name from the original (pre-1920) railway station and townsite. The locomotives pictured on the wine labels all ran on the Eastern Railway line through Chidlow’s Well from 1884 until 1966 when the line closed. They can be seen at the Rail Transport Museum, Bassendean, Western Australia.

Anthony’s Selection

2002 Chidlow’s Well Chenin Blanc

This wine richly deserves its award of “Best White” at the 2002 Perth Hills Wine Show. Powerful frangipani and guava sweet fruit nose is duplicated on the palate that is persistent, clean and delicious. Great with any fish or pork dish.

RAY JORDAN'S GUIDE TO WINE

Western Australia 2003/2004

Ray Jordan

This new producer run by Sandy Gray and Peter Costa takes its name from the Chidlow’s Well railway station, opened in 1884 and a key terminal and water supply for steam trains heading to Northam, York and the eastern goldfields. (The name was shortened to Chidlow in 1920). Even before grape, the area was well known as a fruit producing region, with the cool winters and warm summers ideal for a variety of fruits. Already results have been promising for the vineyard, whose small range of wines offer value for money.

THE WINES

Chenin Blanc 2003

Chenin blanc is about zippy tropical fruit, and you’ll get precisely that in this wine. It has a beautiful fragrant aroma and a palate which is crisp and dry with plenty of healthy fruit flavours. A nice current drink.
87/100

Reserve Chardonnay 2002

Strong smells of melon on the nose with restrained oak. The palate has a cute mix of melon and butterscotch with some nice oak. It’s a crisp delicate style with good fruit characters.
83/100

Shiraz 2002

What a super value wine this is! Plenty of rich chunky shiraz with heaps of chocolate, bark, blackberry and substantial vanillin oak. It all comes together nicely with a rich plush palate and oodles of flavour. Nice wine.
85/100