Cullen Wines is one of Australia’s most respected family-owned wineries and a benchmark producer of certified organic and biodynamic wine. Based in Wilyabrup, Margaret River, Cullen is led by award-winning winemaker Vanya Cullen OAM and is particularly renowned for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and its long-standing commitment to biodynamic viticulture. Learn more.

Cullen Wines – One of Australia’s Leading Biodynamic Wineries

Cullen Wines was founded in 1971 by Dr Kevin Cullen AM and Diana Cullen AM and remains family owned. Located in the Wilyabrup subregion of Margaret River, the estate has built a national and international reputation for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and a deeply established commitment to organic and biodynamic winegrowing.

Today, Cullen is led by second-generation winemaker and Managing Director Vanya Cullen OAM, one of the most highly awarded figures in Australian wine. Her accolades include Qantas/The Wine Magazine Winemaker of the Year in 2000, Australian Women in Wine Winemaker of the Year in 2019 and Halliday Winemaker of the Year in the 2020 Wine Companion. She was also the inaugural Halliday Viticulturist of the Year, has received the Margaret River Wine Association Lifetime Achievement Award and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to viticulture and oenology.

A Benchmark for Organic and Biodynamic Viticulture

Organic and biodynamic farming is central to Cullen’s identity. The winery moved to total organic viticulture in 1998 and adopted biodynamic practices soon after. The Cullen Estate Vineyard achieved certified organic and biodynamic status in 2004, followed by the Mangan Vineyard and winery in 2008.

Both vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic and are dry farmed, hand pruned and hand harvested. Biodynamic preparations, composts, cover crops and lunar and seasonal cycles form part of a broader approach that treats the vineyard as a living system.

Cullen’s philosophy is built around quality, integrity and sustainability, with vineyard health and soil vitality seen as fundamental to wine quality. The winery was also the first in Australia to achieve 100% carbon-neutral certification and has continued to invest in renewable energy, carbon reduction and regenerative vineyard practices.

Top-Echelon Margaret River Cabernet and Chardonnay

Cullen’s flagship wines sit among the top echelon of Australian wine. Diana Madeline, the estate’s Cabernet Sauvignon-based blend, and Kevin John Chardonnay are named in honour of the winery’s founders and have consistently received some of Australia’s highest critical ratings.

The strength of these wines comes from a combination of site, low yields, dry farming and careful winemaking. Rather than relying on heavy extraction or excessive oak, Cullen focuses on balance, structure, purity and the expression of its Wilyabrup vineyards.

Explore our range of certified biodynamic wines or browse more Cabernet Sauvignon.

The Inspiring Story of Cullen Wines

Why We Love Cullen Wines

Cullen is one of the producers that helped establish Margaret River as one of Australia’s great fine-wine regions. The winery’s reputation has been built over more than five decades, with a consistent focus on vineyard quality, biodynamic farming and restrained winemaking.

Vanya Cullen’s influence has been central to that development. Under her leadership, Cullen has become one of Australia’s most recognised biodynamic wineries, while continuing to produce some of the country’s most highly regarded Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

The flagship Diana Madeline and Kevin John wines represent the pinnacle of the range, while wines such as Cullen Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Mangan Vineyard Red Moon and the Dancing series provide more accessible expressions of the Cullen style.

For customers looking for wines with strong environmental credentials, Cullen is particularly significant. Both estate vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic, the vines are dry farmed, and sustainability is embedded throughout the vineyard and winery rather than treated as a separate marketing initiative.

Cullen Wines FAQs

Is Cullen one of Australia’s leading wineries?

Yes. Cullen is widely recognised as one of Australia’s leading family-owned wineries, particularly for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Its flagship Diana Madeline and Kevin John wines have consistently received high critical acclaim, while the winery has also played a major role in the development of organic and biodynamic viticulture in Australia.

Is Cullen wine certified organic?

Yes. Cullen’s estate vineyards are certified organic. The winery moved to total organic viticulture in 1998 and has maintained organic certification as part of its long-term vineyard philosophy.

Is Cullen wine biodynamic?

Yes. Cullen is certified biodynamic. The Cullen Estate Vineyard achieved organic and biodynamic certification in 2004, followed by the Mangan Vineyard and winery in 2008.

Who is Vanya Cullen?

Vanya Cullen OAM is the Managing Director and chief winemaker of Cullen Wines. She is one of Australia’s most highly awarded winemakers, with recognition including Halliday Winemaker of the Year, Australian Women in Wine Winemaker of the Year and the Medal of the Order of Australia for services to viticulture and oenology.

What wines is Cullen best known for?

Cullen is best known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Its flagship wines, Diana Madeline and Kevin John Chardonnay, are regarded among the leading examples of their styles in Australia.

Where is Cullen Wines located?

Cullen Wines is located in Wilyabrup, within the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. The estate was founded in 1971.

Are Cullen vineyards dry farmed?

Yes. Cullen’s estate vineyards are dry farmed, meaning the vines rely on natural rainfall rather than routine irrigation. The vines are also hand pruned and hand harvested.

What does biodynamic wine mean?

Biodynamic viticulture builds on organic farming by treating the vineyard as a connected living system. It incorporates organic farming practices together with biodynamic preparations, composts and seasonal and lunar cycles to support soil, vine and ecosystem health.

Is Cullen Wines carbon neutral?

Cullen was the first Australian winery to achieve 100% carbon-neutral certification. The winery has continued to focus on emissions reduction, renewable energy, soil carbon and broader sustainability initiatives.

Who will love Cullen wines?

Cullen is a strong choice for wine drinkers looking for top-tier Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, particularly where certified organic and biodynamic farming, environmental leadership and restrained winemaking are important.