94 Chittering Valley Rd, Lower Chittering WA 6084, Australia
The property is situated just less than one hour’s drive from Perth, in the beautiful undulating Chittering Valley, nestled on the banks of the Brockman River. It is 350 metres above sea level, and so provides quite a complex variety of climate conditions.
The 26 hectares encompasses 5 hectares of established wine grapevines, plus 23 hectares of grazing paddocks fenced for horses, cows or sheep, one acre of fruit orchard and gardens, (Apples, Pear, Plums, Apricots, Figs, Mulberries and Peaches). A 22 million litre capacity dam, four good bores, producing over 8000 litres per hour, four holding tanks. The out buildings consist of machinery shed, seven box stables (incorporating toilet and shower facilities and tack room,) shearing shed, and large multipurpose barn.
The Federation style two storey house was built during 1995/6 and incorporates on the ground floor, a separate lounge room, dining room, bar and wine storage area, kitchen, meals and family room, music room, breakfast room, powder room, three double bedrooms, family bathroom, laundry and separate toilet. On the upper floor is the master bedroom suite, including ensuite and walk-in-robe/dressing room and outside deck, together with the study/library. The whole house is surrounded by a six-foot-wide veranda which leads onto the alfresco dining area, spa deck and 11 metre lap pool complete with waterfall. The breakfast room leads through to the walled barbeque area. The house has 10 feet + high ceilings, feature cornices, and six-inch-high skirtings. The kitchen, meals and family rooms together with the music room all have vaulted ceilings. There are many built in features in each room including piped music in most rooms, and to the outside areas and spa.
The property was first settled towards the end of the 1860’s by the Rutland Family who established the property as an orchard, (growing export quality blood oranges) dairy cows and sheep. They occupied the property until 1964 and were responsible for planting the many unusual trees that the property boasts, including the Portuguese Cork Tree, the Irish Strawberry tree, Carob Chocolate Tree and many others. The property proved to have extremely fertile soils and so the Rutland’s called the property “Isis” after the Goddess of Fertility.
In 1964 the property was bought by the Freebairn family who turned it into a Horse Stud.
They were responsible for building the stables and the six feet high fences that surround the property.
The current owners bought the 26 hectare property in 1987. They built the house and planted the vines. The first planting was the Chardonnay (8 acres) during the winter of 1990, followed by the Verdelho (3.5 acres) and Viognier (2 Acres) in 1991. The Viognier was the first planting of this variety in the state and only the third planted in Australia. The Shiraz (5 hectares) was planted in 1992. Subsequently they reassessed the plantings and reduced the acreage to keep just the Shiraz. This is sold under contract and provides a useful income of $50,000pa.
Many of the grapes grown on this property have produced wines which have won very many trophies and gold medals, including trophies at the Royal Perth Wine Show, and Gold at the Shanghai International Expo World Wide Wine show.
The house was completely repainted inside and out twelve months ago. At this time, the owners also installed a major 22 solar panel installation which provides a great deal of the electricity required to operate both the needs for the house and the irrigation for the property including the vines.
The owners are downsizing. They would also have a large amount of furniture available should this be required. This would not include any of the antiques, but could include some of the paintings.
All of the furniture is of quality construction, and in some cases is quite new.
Water the Feature
The water availability on this property is quite extensive.
There are four developed bores. Three of which pump around 1400 litre per hour, and one that pumps around 4500 litres per hour. In addition, we have a further undeveloped bore that we believe would be around the same capacity as the first three. These bores feed into four separate holding tanks with a total capacity 320 thousand litre.
The 22 million litre dam is usually filled from either run off the property or from pumping from a run off sump located adjacent to the river.
The property is situated on the banks of the Brockman river, so the ability to pump from both the river and the run off sump adjacent to the river, provides additional options.
Three of the open paddocks on the property have existing infrastructure for irrigation. This is in addition to the two paddocks made over to existing vine plantings, or the three other paddocks where the vines have been pulled out, but the infrastructure kept in place.
More detailed information or inspection can be arranged by contacting John Garland on 0418 923 347.
