The Islander Estate Vineyards was established in 2000 by Jacques Lurton, a sixth generation Bordeaux winemaker with a vision of establishing Kangaroo Island on the world stage of fine wine. When Lurton first encountered Kangaroo Island in 1997, he fell in love with the wild, natural environment and recognised the region’s perfect cool-climate viticultural conditions. Today, the winery has an extensive range of wines rated 94 points and over by the annual Halliday Wine Companion.

The Islander Estate Vineyards was established amongst gum trees and native bushland on a 300-hectare farm in the heart of Kangaroo Island, including an 11-hectare vineyard and an estate-style winery itself. Its elevation in the Kohinoor Hills provides the ideal environment for producing European-style wines with a balance of power, elegance and long finishes.

The estate was significantly damaged in the January 2020 bushfires, which swept across half of Kangaroo Island, but the vision and philosophy remain unchanged. An extensive program is in place to rebuild the vineyard to productivity, which is expected to fully return for the 2023 vintage.

The philosophy behind the wines produced at The Islander Estate Vineyards is to take the best of the heritage and finesse of French winemaking techniques blended with the unique growing conditions and creative freedom of winemaking on Kangaroo Island. The result is a range of elegant cool-climate wines that show elements of both the ‘old world’ and ‘new world’ of wine.

A trip to The Islander Estate Vineyards’ Cygnet River Tasting Room is a must for wine enthusiasts. The tasting room staff welcome guests with a guided tasting through a range of different wine styles, and guests can then select a favourite drop with which to relax on the deck or lawns. Picnic-style regional platters, along with premium food and wine experiences, are also available to ensure the ultimate tasting experience.

The Islander Estate Vineyards’ tasting room is a part of the Cygnet River Artisan Trail, which places the work of local artisan producers in a compact half-day tasting trail, perfect for the avid wine connoisseur.