Bernice and Tony O'Connell, Vigneron, Geographe

Bernice and Tony O'Connell Vigneron Geographe Story by Mandalay Road

A seemingly impossible vision of a child-free existence, sitting on the verandah overlooking a vineyard enjoying a Chardonnay was the impetus behind Bernice & Tony O'Connell's Mandalay Road enterprise!

The vision became a reality 25 years later, on Mandalay Road in the beautiful Preston Valley in the Geographe Wine region of WA. Fertile soils and reliable climate have been very forgiving to their earlier efforts at grape growing but the years have taught them to produce an excellent product in the form of Shiraz, Zinfandel, Cabernet and of course, Chardonnay.

The vignerons of the Geographe wine region are mainly small landholders who are involved in all aspects of production. They are experimenting with many varieties not widely grown such as Temparanillo, Barbera, Arneis, Nebbiolo, Zinfandel, Bastardo and Sousao.

These small producers are excited about producing single vineyard wines of great complexity reflecting the varied terroirs of this diverse region. Visitors to cellar doors will taste wine with the owners and experience the wine which represents the microclimate of that vineyard. The taste of Geographe is unique and varied.