Meet The Maker: Julian, Abbey Vale Wines

“After failing marine biology at university, it seemed fairer on the fish that I do something else,” explains Julian Langworthy with a laugh. “That was when it all opened up for me.”

The charismatic winemaker might have initially thought his future would be in the deep blue, but his sliding doors moment rerouted him toward viniculture — something that was always on his career bingo card, whether he realised it or not. “Having grown up in Margaret River, I was pretty much surrounded by wine from a young age,” he reflects. “It just never occurred to me that I should pursue a career in wine.” 

After spending time learning about winemaking practices across the globe, Langworthy returned to his hometown to take on the role of winemaker at Margaret River winery Deep Woods. The posting saw his career flourish, even being awarded Vintage Cellars’ Winemaker of the Year in 2019. Now, Julian heads up winemaking at Abbey Vale Wines, where he’s responsible for producing drops that showcase Margaret River’s excellent growing conditions. “The Abbey Vale winemaking programme focuses on particular vineyards in the Margaret River region that produce the best fruit for that given variety, which of course includes fruit from the original Abbey Vale vineyard planted in 1983,” Julian tells Vintage Cellars. “We’re always searching for fruit purity with underlying complexity, so that the wines can sing in their youth but age in the most beguiling and complex fashion.” It’s little wonder Abbey Vale’s wines have been awarded year after year at the Sydney, Perth and Hobart Royal wine shows.