Nocturne Wines: A Quiet Force in Margaret River’s Wine Renaissance
In the far southwestern corner of Australia, where the land meets the sea in a dramatic clash of limestone cliffs and ancient forests, a small winery is making waves with quiet confidence. Nocturne Wines, nestled in the heart of Margaret River, is not just another boutique label it’s a deeply personal expression of place, passion, and precision.
Founded by Julian and Alana Langworthy, Nocturne is the kind of project that could only be born from experience and instinct. Julian, a native of the region, has spent decades honing his craft across Australia and abroad. His accolades James Halliday’s Winemaker of the Year (2019) and the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy (2016) are impressive, but they don’t define him. What does is his unwavering commitment to crafting wines that are honest, vibrant, and unmistakably Western Australian.
A Cult Following, Grown Organically
Nocturne doesn’t chase trends or mass appeal. Its wines are released in small quantities and often sell out on allocation. What draws people in is not just the quality, but the authenticity. These are wines made by people who know the land, love the land, and let it lead. In a region known for its polished professionalism, Nocturne is a reminder that the best wines often come from those who are willing to take risks, trust their instincts, and work quietly in the shadows—until the spotlight finds them.
The Winemaker
Julian Langworthy is one of Australia’s most acclaimed winemakers, known for his bold creativity and deep roots in Margaret River. Born and raised in the region, he combines scientific precision with instinctive flair. After winning the Jimmy Watson Trophy and being named Halliday’s Winemaker of the Year, Julian turned his focus to Nocturne his personal project with wife Alana crafting expressive, small-batch wines that reflect both place and personality. Julian’s approach to winemaking is best described as “deliberate minimalism.” He lets the vineyards do the talking, using wild fermentation, no fining, and minimal intervention to preserve the character of the fruit. The result is a portfolio of wines that are textural, expressive, and deeply rooted in their terroir.
Awards and Accolades
In 2016, Julian received the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy, a prestigious award given to the best one-year-old red wine in Australia a recognition that marked him as a standout talent. Just a few years later, in 2019, he was named Winemaker of the Year by the Halliday Wine Companion, cementing his status as one of the nation’s leading voices in contemporary winemaking. These accolades speak to more than just Julian’s skill they reflect the consistent excellence of Nocturne’s wines. Known for their purity, elegance, and regional authenticity, Nocturne’s Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are highly sought after, often selling out shortly after release. Each bottle is a testament to the winery’s philosophy: minimal intervention, maximum expression.
The Wine Portfolio
Nocturne’s range is intentionally tight: two sub regional wines and two single vineyard bottlings, focused on Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon the varietals that Margaret River does best. But within that simplicity lies a world of nuance.
The Vineyard
Nocturne’s vineyards are more than just sources of fruit they are the soul of the wines. Each site is chosen for its unique microclimate, soil composition, and ability to express varietal purity.
- Treeton: This inland sub region is often overlooked, but Julian saw its potential early. With sandy soils and cool nights, Treeton produces Chardonnay with razor sharp acidity and a mineral edge. The wines from here are lean, focused, and quietly powerful.
- Forrest Vineyard (Wilyabrup): Located closer to the coast, this site benefits from maritime breezes and gravelly loam soils. The Chardonnay here is flinty and saline, with layers of white peach and citrus. It’s a wine that speaks of the ocean without ever being overt.
- Yallingup: This northern sub region is home to Julian’s Sheoak Vineyard, a four hectare plot of mature Cabernet vines. The site’s gravelly soils and elevated position yield wines of structure and elegance.
- Yallingup Cabernet is a blend of Sheoak and neighbouring fruit bright, red fruited, and silky. The Sheoak Vineyard Cabernet, however, is the crown jewel: perfumed, complex, and built to age.
Nocturne isn’t just a winery it’s a love letter to the land, a moonlit dance between soil and soul. In a region known for its polished producers, Nocturne dares to be poetic, personal, and just a little wild. And that’s precisely why it shines.
