Nocturne Wines

Nocturne is Julian Langworthy's solo venture, born from his decades working in Margaret River's finest wineries. Julian won the Jimmy Watson Trophy in 2014 and Halliday's Best Winemaker in 2019—two of Australia's most respected awards. Now he makes small quantities of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon that sell out every year. The distinction: minimal intervention winemaking, indigenous yeast fermentation, no fining, and fruit from Margaret River's most prized sub-regions. These are wines made with what Julian calls 'careful neglection'—restraint that lets the terroir speak.

About Nocturne Wines

What began as a side project in 2010 has become one of Australia's most sought-after producers. Julian sources from four distinct Margaret River sub-regions, each chosen for its unique soil and climate expression. The Treeton sub-region—landlocked, with warm days and cool nights over deep sandy soils—yields Chardonnay with natural acidity and finesse. Wilyabrup's Forrest Vineyard sits on a ridge and produces wines with flinty, saline character and stone fruit. His pride is Sheoak Vineyard in Yallingup, his own four-hectare plot planted on deep gravel soils and moderated by Indian Ocean breezes—the source of both his Cabernet expressions.

Winemaking is meticulous yet restrained. The Chardonnays undergo whole bunch pressing before spending nine months lees-aging in puncheon prior to bottling, building complexity without heavy-handed oak influence. Cabernet Sauvignons from Sheoak Vineyard demonstrate why this grape dominates Margaret River. The Yallingup Cabernet blends small amounts of Merlot and Malbec from neighbouring vineyards, adding mid-palate generosity and silky tannins to the vibrant red fruit. The Sheoak Vineyard Cabernet shows deeper complexity: crunchy cranberry and cassis with perfumed notes and the tension Julian's minimal intervention preserves. Estate control—from vine to bottle—ensures consistent quality across every release.

Nocturne Wines in Our Collection

The 2023 Yallingup Cabernet Sauvignon scored 94 points and holds the highest critical assessment at 97 from Robert Parker The Wine Advocate. This wine exemplifies Julian's style: medium-bodied with silky tannins and vibrant red fruit, it's approachable now but built for cellaring. The 2024 Sheoak Vineyard Yallingup Cabernet Sauvignon (94pts) shows the depth of his own vineyard site—complex, perfumed, the expression of terroir over extraction.

For white wine drinkers, the 2024 Forrest Vineyard Wilyabrup Chardonnay earned 97 points from James Suckling, matching the standards of premium Burgundy. Expect flinty minerality, saline notes, and stone fruit without the weight of heavy oak. The 2023 Treeton Chardonnay (94pts) offers another perspective: cooler-climate acidity and finesse from its landlocked sub-region. Both whites reward drinking at release and will develop over five to eight years. The 2025 Forrest Vineyard Wilyabrup Chardonnay (94pts) is the newest addition, ensuring fresh inventory of one of Margaret River's finest expressions.

Food Pairing

The Cabernet Sauvignons suit roasted lamb, beef with herb crusts, and aged hard cheeses—foods that benefit from the wines' silky tannins and crunchy red fruit. The Chardonnays pair with butter-poached scallops, roasted chicken with mushroom sauce, or smoked fish. Julian's whole-bunch pressing and minimal intervention create wines with natural acidity that cut through richness without dominating the plate. These are not heavy wines; they are precise ones, made to complement rather than overwhelm.

Who is Julian Langworthy and why does Nocturne matter?

Julian won the Jimmy Watson Trophy (2014) and Halliday's Best Winemaker (2019). Nocturne is his solo venture making small quantities of minimal-intervention Chardonnay and Cabernet from Margaret River's finest sub-regions. Wines sell out annually.

What makes Nocturne's winemaking different?

Indigenous yeast fermentation, no fining, whole bunch pressing, and nine months lees aging in puncheon. Julian calls it 'careful neglection'—minimal intervention allowing terroir to express itself fully and naturally.

Which Nocturne wine should I buy first?

Start with the 2023 Yallingup Cabernet (97pts from Robert Parker) for red, or 2024 Forrest Vineyard Chardonnay (97pts from James Suckling) for white. Both showcase Julian's style and critical standing.

Who makes Nocturne Wines?

Julian Langworthy, an award-winning winemaker with decades of experience in Margaret River's finest wineries. He won the Jimmy Watson Trophy in 2014 and Halliday's Best Winemaker in 2019. Nocturne began as his side project in 2010 and is now based in Margaret River, Australia.

What style of wine does Nocturne make?

Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon using minimal intervention winemaking with indigenous yeast fermentation. The Chardonnays are buttery and complex (97 points, James Suckling); Cabernets are bold and structured with silky tannins and vibrant red fruit (94 points).

How much does Nocturne wine cost?

Nocturne wines range between £27.15 and £40.85 per bottle. Entry-level expressions start around £27, while vineyard-designated and premium releases sit between £40 and £41.