Frankland Estate was established by Barrie Smith and Judi Cullam in 1988.
The Isolation Ridge vineyard was developed on part of a 3000 acre property in the Frankland River region on which the family has run a wool growing enterprise since 1974. Today the family continue to have significant wool-growing interests and manages a flock of some 10, 000 merinos.
The decision to diversify their farming interests from wool into wine was inspired, in part, by a tour of French vineyards Barrie and Judi undertook in 1985. They returned to France in 1990 and 1993 to gain further experience in the industry by working vintages at Chateau Senejac in Bordeaux. As a result, winemaking philosophies at Frankland Estate have been considerably influenced by the approach used in Bordeaux.
A new winery was completed in time for the 1993 vintage allowing Frankland Estate to become totally self-sufficient in all aspects of wine production.
