Hainault is a boutique cellar door and cafe situated in the picturesque Bickley Valley, just 25 km from the Perth Central Business District. Nestled in Jarrah forest on the Darling Scarp at an elevation of 400 m, Hainault is the highest vineyard in Western Australia and is in one of the coldest parts of the State. All of our wines are made from estate grown, hand harvested fruit using minimal interventions. The 17 acre property was originally selected as Gungin orchard early last century for the growing of stone fruit before being replanted as a vineyard in 1978 by Peter Fimmel, one of the pioneers of the then infant Perth Hills Wine Region.
Michael and Lyn Sykes purchased the vineyard in March 2002. Michael is a geophysicist and Lyn is a Mental Health Nurse – both continue to work in their usual employment while working on the vineyard every spare moment they have. They rely heavily on voluntary labour – family members and friends frequently come to the vineyard to work for lunch or a cuppa.
Michael and Lyn’s objective is to continue to produce premium quality varietal wines while further developing a style synonymous with the Perth Hills.
They are passionate about employing environmentally sustainable practices in the vineyard, cellar door and café. The vineyard is irrigated from a spring fed soak supplemented by bore water. A 5kW PVS provides most of the energy needs to the vineyard and the café. The water for the café is provided by rainwater that is sterilised using a non-chemical Ultraviolet system. Being in a water catchment area it is important to minimise wastewater. This is achieved through the use of 2 on-site portable toilets that use less water than conventional toilets and all waste is transported to a wastewater facility. A biological system converts kitchen wastewater into clean water is used to irrigate the lawn.
Insecticides have not been used anywhere on the property for over 12 years and only certified organic chemicals are used on the grapevines to manage mildew and disease.
The Hainault logo features a stylised Boobook owl, a native of the area, to signify the family’s deep relationship with the environment.
Hainault also prides itself on being “pet friendly”. If you wish to bring your dog with you on a visit to our cellar door, all we ask is that you have your dog under control at all times. Mistelle Restaurant does not permit dogs on the premises or gardens.