Cape Mentelle was one of the original five wineries founded in Western Australia’s Margaret River in 1970 by David Hohnen. Cape Mentelle is recognised not only for its commitment to quality, but for its adherence to organic viticulture and sustainable practices.

In the early years, David experimented with various plantings of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon. The focus was very much on red wine production. Many of these original plantings have come to characterise the Cape Mentelle house style. Their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, sourced primarily from the original Wallcliffe Vineyard, is now widely regarded as one of Australia’s leading Cabernets.

The winery takes its name from the nearby Cape, named by the French ‘Baudin Expedition’ which charted the coast of Western Australia in 1801. They sought inspiration from two notable French scientists, geographer Edmund and his cartographer brother Francois-Simon Mentelle, who lived in Paris in the early 1700’s. From small beginnings with just 16 hectares of vines planted on what is now referred to as the ‘Wallcliffe Vineyard’, Cape Mentelle now boasts over 80 hectares under vine. The Trinders Vineyard was established in 1988, closely followed by the Chapman Brook Vineyard in the early 1990s, and the Crossroads Vineyard that was established in 2003.

The team at Cape Mentelle shares a love for the land and a deep commitment to sustainability. Cape Mentelle is a certified member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia. From recycling 100% of water used in the winery, increasing biodiversity in the vineyard, and carrying out local clean up initiatives, to installing solar panels on the winery tank roof, sustainability is at the core of every operational and winemaking decision. In 2010, Cape Mentelle was the first winery in Western Australia to obtain the Entwine accreditation.

In 1983 Cape Mentelle won the coveted Jimmy Watson Memorial Award for the Best One Year Old Dry Red Wine, and cemented its position as a premium Australian wine maker, with another win the following year.