Three decades of history
in the Porongurup wine region
Three decades of history
in the Porongurup wine region
in the Porongurup wine region
In 2022, we were incredibly fortunate to become the next custodians of Duke's Vineyard.
When Duke and Hilde Ranson decided to retire after more than two decades at the helm, they weren't simply looking to sell a vineyard. They wanted to find someone who understood what they had created here, and who would care for it as much as they had.
We knew we had some big shoes to fill, and we've never taken that responsibility lightly. Today, we're proud to carry on their legacy while writing a new chapter of our own, bringing fresh ideas and our own approach while staying true to the things that have always made Duke's what it is.
And if you've been drinking Duke's wines for years, we'd like to think you'll still recognise them. They're still elegant, still expressive and still unmistakably Great Southern.
Ben & Sarah
People often ask us what made us buy a vineyard in the Porongurups. The short answer? We completely fell for the place. The slightly longer answer starts a few years earlier.
Ben has spent most of his career making cool climate wines. He's worked in some incredible vineyards across Australia and overseas, learning from talented growers and winemakers along the way. Somewhere amongst all of that, he developed a bit of an obsession with places that grow elegant wines. Places where the vineyard does most of the talking and the winemaker's job is simply not to get in the way.
So when Duke and Hilde Ranson decided it was time to retire after more than twenty years at Duke's Vineyard, it felt like one of those opportunities that doesn't come along very often.
Not because of the awards (although there are plenty of those). Not because of the reputation (which is pretty extraordinary). But because vineyards like this are incredibly rare.
The Porongurup range.
A billion-year-old backdrop.
The Porongurup range.
A billion-year-old backdrop.
A billion-year-old backdrop.
The Porongurups are among the oldest mountain ranges on earth. Our vines sit at their western foot, and it's a landscape we're incredibly lucky to call home.
Life at Duke's Vineyard
Like most family wineries, everyone wears a few hats around here.
Ben is usually found somewhere between the vineyard and the winery, Sarah keeps everything else moving while also welcoming visitors into the cellar door, and between us we're packing wine orders, answering emails, mowing lawns, fixing irrigation, organising events and occasionally remembering to stop for lunch. There's always something happening – and yes, Dujac (pictured) still firmly believes every visitor has come to see him!
The story of Duke's Vineyard certainly didn't start with us, but we're very excited to be part of what comes next. We hope you'll come along for the ride.
Ben's philosophy
If you ask Ben what makes great wine, don't be surprised if he starts talking about pruning... or soil, or the weather!
The truth is, by the time the grapes reach the winery, most of the important decisions have already been made. How the vines were managed. When to pick. Knowing when to step in, and just as importantly, when not to.
Ben's philosophy is simple: start with exceptional fruit, respect the vineyard and don't overcomplicate things.
The Porongurups already have an incredible story to tell. Our job is simply to help tell it honestly. Every season is different, and every vintage deserves to reflect that.
“For me, great wine always starts in the vineyard. The Porongurups is an extraordinary place to grow grapes, and I feel a real responsibility to look after the land and let its character come through in the wines we make. Duke established an incredible reputation here, and I'm proud to build on that foundation. There's still so much to explore and learn from this place, and that's what makes the future of Duke's so exciting.”
— Ben Cane
Explore our wines
Discover the wines of Duke's Vineyard, shaped by the unique character of the Porongurup Range in the Great Southern.
