Bruce and Jeanette Tomlinson established Lenton Brae Estate in 1982.

The site of the vineyard was chosen after a chance conversation with Bill Pannell. Bill was the owner of Moss Wood winery and producing wines that were renowned throughout Australia and overseas. Bill had engaged Bruce to assist with the shire of Busselton’s planning requirements for dividing the Moss Wood property

During a casual chat between the two men, Bill mentioned that the soils of one of the newly created properties were uniformly excellent and equal to those of the existing Moss Wood vineyard. Impressed by this information Bruce decided to purchase the property and try his hand at viticulture.

The name “Lenton Brae” comes from the chapel district of Lenton in Nottingham, England. It is from here that the first Tomlinson’s migrated to Australia in 1882. Brae is a Scottish term for a small hill, which is what the Wilyabrup vineyard is situated on.

Following the purchase Bruce appointed Bill Jamieson, the retired Head of Viticulture at the Western Australian Department of Agriculture as a consultant. 10 hectares of vineyard were planted in the spring of 1983.

The varieties selected for planting were Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Pinot Noir was also originally planted but has since been removed to increase the acreage of the preferred Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

In 1987, the first commercial crop was harvested, with the wines being vinified at another local winery. The first release was the 1987 Semillon and included 15% Sauvignon Blanc.

The first Cabernet Sauvignon was from the 1988 vintage. This wine won two trophies at the 1990 SGIO W.A winemakers’ exhibition, including best wine of show.

The winery was built in 1988 and the first vintage in the new building was in 1989.  Bruce designed and built the winery, which incorporates the cellar sales gallery that has sweeping views across the Wilyabrup valley. The building has since been heritage listed by the shire of Busselton.

Further success followed in 1992, with the Chardonnay winning gold and three trophies at the 1992 Perth Royal Wine Show.

The trophies included the award for best West Australian wine of any class, best West Australian white wine and best West Australian Chardonnay.

Edward Tomlinson returned to Lenton Brae as winemaker in 1995. He completed a degree in Oenology from Roseworthy Agricultural College in 1992, then travelled overseas for two years gaining from vintage experiences in New Zealand, California and South Africa. His first vintage coincided with a gold-medal winning Semillon Sauvignon Blanc.

Today, Lenton Brae continues to strive in improving the quality of its new wines each year.

The winemaking philosophy has two objectives; to concentrate on wine styles in which the Margaret River region excels, and for each example to rank among the very best of its type.

To this end, Lenton Brae produces two blended wines; a Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc and a Cabernet Merlot, and two varietal wines; Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

There are also limited releases of other wine styles and are only available directly from the winery on-line or from the cellar door.