The pull of the Moon’s gravity profoundly impacts the shape of the Earth every hour of the day; oceans regularly bulge when closest (high tide) and farthest (low tide) from the Moon. It can also be used to fling spacecraft back home. The moon is also associated with Blackmagic and unhinged humans. In addition to the spectacle of Artemis II/ Orion, apparent lunatic decisions are overwhelmingly shaping other World events.
Vanya Cullen is a masterful winemaker because she cares so deeply about the land.
Somewhere within these massively differentiating contemplations are the beneficial effects of the Moon on the vineyard growing season and its role in the outcome of a growing season. For instance, the beautiful 2025 Cullen Kevin John Chardonnay was picked ‘over five different Fruit and Flower days, with two batches harvested on a Moon Opposite Saturn Full Moon event.’ The classic 2024 Cullen Diane Madeline, was ‘harvested across six-pickings, on biodynamic fruit and flower days, beginning in mid-February and culminating a few weeks later, on a Moon opposite Saturn Astral event.’
For many of us, these observations are vaguely understood, but behind them are very strong belief systems associated with growing food and ‘leaving the Earth in a better place than we depart it.’ Both the 2024 (short, dry, hot) and 2025 (double-budburst) growing seasons had their challenges but these wines prove that nurture and empathy are truly important to any vintage outcome. Vanya Cullen is a masterful winemaker because she cares so deeply about the land. And it gives back to her. These latest releases are very expressive and generous with lovely energy and vinosity. They are wonderful wines.
They are wonderful wines.
2025 Cullen Kevin John Chardonnay, Margaret River – Western Australia
Pale colour. Fresh grapefruit, nougat, vanilla, roasted almond aromas with hints of limes. Beautifully balanced and classical in structure with ample grapefruit, lemon curd, lime flavours, fine slinky textures, lovely mid-palate creaminess, underlying marzipan, roasted cashew notes and fresh long saline/supple acidity. Builds up chalky/ al dente at the finish with persistent minerally notes. Delicious to drink with superb purity and flow. Seven months maturation in 50% puncheons. Drink now – 2035+ 13.5% alc 97 points
2024 Cullen Diane Madeline, Margaret River – Margaret River
Medium deep crimson. Pure cassis, blackberry pastille aromas with roasted chestnut, vanilla notes. A touch of bush garrigue. Finely structured wine with ample blackcurrant, leafy flavours, bitter-sweet tannins, very attractive mid-palate volume and well-integrated roasted chestnut, vanilla. Builds up chocolaty firm at the finish with persistent dark berry fruits and underlying torque. Amazing length of flavour. Still in its elemental phase but will develop into a classic, if not reference Wilyabrup Cabernets. 14 months maturation in 50% new ‘biodynamic’ oak, puncheons and barriques. A lovely vintage. Drink 2028 – 2040+ 13.5% 97 points
