Gary & Rai are often asked about their name. Prounced "hill-bill-ay" it was taken from the English (hill) and French (billé) words describing the rounded valley where the vineyard is.
Gary and Rai Bettridge purchased the picturesque property, nestled between heavily wooded craggy hills overlooking the majestic Blackwood River in Australia’s south-west in the late 1980s.
Gary had dreamt of starting a winery and olive grove for many years inspired by numerous French and Italian adventures. In 1998 the dream became reality by the planting of a range of grape varietals (Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier) and olive trees (Mission, Kalamata, Leccino, Frantoio, Pendolino and Manzanilla).
Initially the grapes were sold to other wineries, but since 2003 a larger quantity of fruit has been retained and the HILLBILLÉ brand was born. Their exclusive Signature Series of wines are dedicated to great-great-grandfather James Brittain whose ‘signature’ is still in evidence across the City of Perth on such heritage buildings as the Town Hall, Barracks Arch and Cloisters.