Woodgate Wines

Woodgate is the family business of Mark and wife Tracey Aitken. Mark became a mature-age student at Curtin University, obtaining his oenology degree in 2001 as Dux, earning a trip to Bordeaux to undertake vintage, returning to work at Manjimup’s Chestnut Grove winery from ’02. In ’05 he and Tracey began their own contract winemaking business, as well as making wine for their Woodgate brand. Most of the grapes come from the estate plantings of cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and merlot, supplemented by grapes from a leased vineyard. The name of the sparkling wine, Bojangles, reflects the extended family’s musical heritage, which stretches back 3 generations and includes vocalists, guitarists, pianists, a trumpeter, a saxophonist, two drummers and a double bass player. -JAMES HALLIDAY