John Kosovich Wines

The estate

Having been long established with our roots in the Swan Valley we have also expanded and developed a vineyard in the cool climate of Manjimup in the states South West.
This provides us with the opportunity to make wines from very diverse regions however with the same simple aim- to make the best wines we can that reflect and respect the fruit of the region.

The story of

John Kosovich Wines

Ivan Kosovich purchased land in Baskerville in 1922 planting grape vines for dried fruit and red wine.  The family home and winery is still situated on that original piece of land purchased. The first vines planted on the property now stand either side of the entrance to the winery.

The underground cellar, which is todays cellar door tasting area, was dug by Ivan and his brothers with help from neighbors.  An impressive 7m long White Gum beam was cut from a tree felled by Ivan in the hills east of the property and remains the main supporting structure for the cellar roof and the hand made broad axe used by Ivan to shape the beam hangs from it today.

In 1961 John married Mary and by this time in full control of the vineyard and winery and he could see that there was a need to introduce new varieties of wine that better suited the local climate and as the Australian wine palate improved.  Riesling was one of the first new varieties planted with Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Verdelho following.

In the late 1980’s a vineyard was purchased in Manjimup in the Pemberton Wine Region.  The family now owned three vineyards, two in the Swan Valley and one in Manjimup.  All wines made at the winery are estate grown which enables the family to have complete control over the quality of the fruit.

Now in the wineries 102nd year the fourth generation has come on board and there is confidence that this family business, the oldest winery in the Swan Valley still owned by the founding family, will continue to grow.

Acreage
Swan Valley - 20 Acres
Manjimup - 10 Acres
Soil type
Swan Valley - Sandy loam over Clay.
Manjimup -Deep gravelly loam
Planted
Swan Valley - Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Muscat
Manjimup - Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Shiraz

Soil

Our swan valley vineyards located near to the Swan River are grey sand merging into red loam over clay. Manjimup is quite different being deep gravelly loam.

Climate

The Swan Valley has a warm to hot Mediterranean climate being very dry during ripening and harvest, with most rainfall occurring during winter and spring.

Manjimup has a more continental climate, with colder winters permitting true vine dormancy and spring rains bringing healthy growth at the start of the growing season.

Grapes

Verdelho, Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon excel in the Swan Valley’s warm, dry growing conditions.

Manjimup with its much cooler climate enables us to grow Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet and Shiraz in the region.

Vineyard

We maintain old traditions in the vineyard, with all tasks including pruning and harvesting done by hand. We grow all our own fruit so we can ensure total quality control across all facets of the winemaking process.

Crop levels are kept low across all locations as we aim to produce fruit that provides maximum varietal character, and we are willing to sacrifice fruit that is not to our standard so as not to compromise on our aim of making great wines.

Winery

The winery is a unique blend of old and new reflecting the more than 100 years that we have been established.

Visitors have a unique experience as they pass by all liqueurs and red wines aging in Frenc oak casks on their way to our below ground cellar door and tasting area.

Cellar Door

You are invited to taste the range of John Kosovich wines in our unique below ground cellar door and tasting area.

Due to the age of our winery, people with mobility issues may find access to our tasting area difficult, please contact us beforehand is possible so we can arrange a personal tasting with easy access if required.

John Kosovich Wines

The Location

SV map

Our winery and cellar door are located in the Swan Valley, Western Australia’s oldest wine region, and Australia’s second oldest, just a 30 minute drive from the Perth CBD.

The rich soils and warm climate make the Swan Valley an ideal region to grow many varied varieties and make any wine style that the winemaker wishes.

Our address

180 Memorial Avenue BASKERVILLE, Western Australia 6056.

Direction and contacts