“While the Nikola brand may be new to the Swan Valley, the Yukich family behind it is anything but.
Houghton Estate in the Swan Valley was established in 1836 and was purchased in 2019 by brothers Graeme and Kim Yukich from the private equity Carlyle Group, forming what is now the Nikola Estate. Winemaker Damian Hutton has moved from a long history at Millbrook to assume the mantle at Nikola. In just a few years Nikola Estate has built an enviably portfolio of wines from the Swan and other vineyard regions.”
- Ray Jordan
Sunday 22 June
Hosted by Damian Hutton, Chief Winemaker Nikola Estate
Masterclass: 4-6pm, 13 Wines with Kate Lamont nibbles, $65
Chief Winemaker, Damian Hutton
As WA's Winemaker of the Year in the 2023 - WA Wine Review by Ray Jordan, Damian's ambitious plan to increase the wine portfolio by introducing regional and experimental wine ranges is certainly paying off.
There are now over 30 wines in the collection that includes a small batch ultra-premium Gallery range showcasing Italian varietals, as well as a Regional series with different varietals from WA's greatest winegrowing regions. The Estate collection and the Rare Fortified complete the impressive wine portfolio for this family-run winery in the Swan Valley.
Combined with ambitious plantings of more Italian varietals, regenerating 90-year-old grapevines, and reinvigorating the soils throughout the expansive 134-acre property, this is a man who hasn't taken his foot off the pedal since returning to the place where his winemaking career was forged 35 years ago.
(Nikola Estate)
Nikola Estate Chief Winemaker, Damian Hutton
The Wine List
On Arrival
Nikola Estate Regional Riesling 2021
Fruit from the Riversdale vineyard in Frankland River. Very restrained and pure rainwater vibes here – delicate layers of citrus, stones and shale. Minerally and fine ... unfurling ... but it is going to look its best in a couple of years, once some aged characters start to creep in. A quiet, whispering wine. Very long.
93 Points - Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion
First Course
Nikola Estate Regional Chenin Blanc 2021
Gold Medal - Australian Chenin Blanc Challenge
Goes up a notch or two on the standard version in fruit intensity. This is what the Swan Valley is all about in many ways. Tropical fruit with a splash of pear and lemon bring the variety to life. It’s intense and there’s a nice creamy texture adding to its appeal.
94 Points - Ray Jordan, Wine Pilot
Shark Bay whiting, tempura, shaved fennel, lemon
Second Course
Nikola Estate 'The Impressionist' Arneis 2023
A 100% Geographe arneis. It’s a single vineyard variety that tends to find a home in specific regions. Most famously hails from Piedmont in Italy but in Australia it has found a home with many excellent wines being produced. This has the typical apple and pear character on the nose with a creamy richness on the mid-palate revealing nice textural qualities. Has a fine flinty finish. The subtle use of older oak really helps the palate feel.
95 Points - Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine
Nikola Estate Regional Chardonnay 2022
Gold Medal - Royal Adelaide Wine Show
This rich and full bodied wine's fresh bouquet of apricot, vanilla pod, honey dew melon, pear tart and puff pastry leads into an alluring palate of yellow tart peach and vanilla, almond nougat and honeysuckle characters with a soît finish. Best paired with lemon thyme roast chicken and bread sauce with spring vegetables.
- Judges comments
The Geographe region demonstrates its versatility with this excellent chardonnay. An aroma of lemon butter, roasted cashew and light quince paste greets immediately. Then the palate starts to unravel its own secrets with its texture and rich intensity. Strikes such a good oak and fruit balance, with the precision on the finish heightened by a minerally chalky acidity.
95 Points - Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine
Haloumi, eggplant kasundi, petit greens
Third Course
Nikola Estate Regional Grenache 2023
A beautiful grenache from the Geographe region. Brings together the perfumed aromatics of this variety with the intensely flavoursome medium bodied palate. A spicy dried herbs infusion complements the sweet fruit. Has such a beautifully textured supple palate, thanks to the quality fruit and the seamless integration of fruit and oak. A beauty.
94 Points - Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine
Nikola Estate Regional Shiraz 2021
Makes a lot of sense to go to Frankland River to get shiraz that fits within your house style. This is a beauty. It’s medium-bodied with lovely plush red fruit lifted with a mix of pepper and spices. Smooth and seamless palate has energy and life. Fine silky tannins and a smidgeon of oak complete a very attractive wine.
95 Points - Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine
Nikola Estate Regional Shiraz 2022
This really is a marvellous example of Frankland River shiraz. The smooth supple elegance of this excellent vintager is expressed beautifully with the seductive vibrant fruits splashed with well-integrated oak and supported by minerally fine tannins. Says so much about the beauty of the shiraz from this region.
96 Points - Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine
Duck rillette croquettes, salsa verde
Fourth Course
Nikola Estate Regional Tempranillo 2023
Winemaker Damian Hutton has gone to a very special vineyard in Frankland River for this cracking good tempranillo. Bright red fruits, a little pepper and a touch of spice all working together. It’s medium weight and just a little touch of ironstone adds further to already engaging combination. Brilliant and bright. As good an example of this variety as I have seen in WA.
96 Points - Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine
Nikola Estate 'The Minimalist' Montepulciano 2023
Okay, this is a little different. It’s Montepulciano from the Swan Valley. Just love the bright red fruits with the liberal sprinkle of dried herbs and spices. It’s not to be confused with the sangiovese wines of Montepulciano in Tuscany. In many ways, it sits somewhere between shiraz and grenache in body, intensity and perfumes. Delicious and ideal for drinking in the short term while those vibrant red fruit characters are so evident.
96 Points - Ray Jordan, Ray Jordan Wine
Nikola Estate 'The Mark' Shiraz 2023 (Launching at Event)
Twice cooked lamb shoulder, melted beetroot, tdaziki, greens
To Finish…
Nikola Estate Rare liqueur Verdelho - 375ml
96 points - Ray Jordan WA Wine: Review
82 points – Perth Royal Wine Show 2022
Silver Medal 93 points – Mt Barker Wine Show of Western Australia
Silver Medal 91 points – Swan Valley Wine Show 2022
Gold Medal 97 points - The Real Review
Nikola Estate Rare liqueur Topaque - 375ml
97 Points - Ray Jordan WA Wine: Review
Bronze Medal – 89 Points – Perth Royal Wine Show 2022
Gold Medal 95 Points – Mt Barker Wine Show of Western Australia
Bronze Medal 86 Points – Swan Valley Wine Show 2022
Nikola Estate Rare liqueur Tawny - 375ml
Gold Medal 95 points - The Real Review