One of Australia's baronial labels, the site of Leeuwin Estate was identified by legendary American winemaker Robert Mondavi in 1973, midway between Cape naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin. There are sixty two acres of Chardonnay vines divided into eight distinct parcels. The soil and slopes of the plantings differ in each area and the cultural aspects of the viticulture are tailored to each parcel. Since the 1980 vintage Leeuwin Estate has adhered to vertical training and leaf removal to present the Chardonnay fruit properly to the light. The soil management has remained the same since inception. Each plot is harvested separately and kept separate throughout the winemaking and some of the maturation programme.