Brown Hill’s History
Brown Hill’s 24-hectare vineyard was established in 1995. It is a joint partnership with Jim, Gwen, their son Nathan Bailey who is this Margaret River winery’s S Senior winemaker and his wife Chiara.
With a close connection to Kalgoorlie, the vineyard landscape reminded Jim and Gwen of their childhood stomping grounds around the gold mines of Kalgoorlie. Brown Hill was the claim that made the Golden Mile famous and Jim remembers going with his father to water their vegetable patch by diverting water from the old Brown Hill mine site. Four generations of Baileys lived in the Goldfields with close ties to Brown Hill, so it seemed only natural to give the winery the same name.
Many of Brown Hill’s wines, which are all estate grown, also take their names from famous gold mines or miners in the Kalgoorlie area.
Our Village
Drive 10 minutes inland from Margaret River’s town centre, and you’ll happen upon Rosa Brook, the charming village in which Brown Hill Estate is located. Part of the magic that makes our winery so special can be attributed to its home town. Rosa Brook is a small, charming village that lies 280km south of Perth. Its major landmarks are one little general store (pictured right) and a community hall, but the soul of the land and the locals is beyond measure, making a visit to this town and its surrounding area a treat for the wine- and food-loving traveller.
Traditionally a dairy and lamb farming area, Rosa Brook has recently been brought to life by an energetic viticultural industry. Meander through the town and its surrounds to discover rustic cellar doors with interesting wines and picturesque vineyards. Rosa Brook locals are foodies as well – sample the amazing food produce ripe for the picking, from olive oil, goat’s cheese, organic lamb and beef to berry jam and fresh fruit, all available at the local Margaret River farmers’ markets every Saturday. Or why not go horse-riding through the gorgeous green landscape, uncover local art or get back to nature with a picnic in the national parklands.
A few character-filled chalets and bed and breakfasts are scattered through the lush rolling hills of Rosa Brook making for a relaxing getaway. The laid-back lifestyle of this small village makes it impossible not to de-stress and live like one of the tight-knit locals for which this area is well known. Read our blog post about Where to stay and eat in Margaret River here.
The down-to-earth, friendly spirit of the town is reflected in Brown Hill Estate’s wines, made with traditional boutique winemaking methods, including hand-picking and hard-sorting all out estate grown fruit, and loads of attention to detail. After a day touring through the village and its surrounds or the wider Margaret River region, take a seat at our table, the large jarrah slab resting on oak barrels, and savour Brown Hill’s Wines in our tasting room.
Our Vineyards
Located about 12 kilometres south east of Margaret River, Brown Hill’s vineyard is planted to cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, merlot, malbec, sauvignon blanc, semillon and chardonnay.
Our ethos is to make the best wine possible off our single vineyard site by utilizing traditional methods of handpicking and hand sorting individual berries to get the best quality possible and matching this with top quality French coopered barrels.
We aim for our wines to truly represent our site in Margaret River. We wholeheartedly believe in the maxim that ‘great wine is made in the vineyard’, with our vines reaping the benefits of the harsh, gravelly (lateritic) soils and the warm, sunny climate. This results in small, intensely flavoured grapes – our cabernet grapes are smaller than peas! – which lead, of course, to deeply coloured, intensely flavoured wines.
Our vision is to produce world class wines while recognizing the special vineyard which we have access to. The majority of our wines are sold direct to consumers via our Cellar door, website and wine clubs.
Our Family
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+Gwen Bailey, Owner
Gwen Bailey, the matriarch of the Bailey family and co-founder of Brown Hill Estate, comes from a family with four generations grounded in the Kalgoorlie goldfields. Alongside her husband Jim, Gwen discovered the rich soils of Rosa Brook, where they planted vines almost 30 years ago in a partnership with their son Nathan and his wife Chiara.
Beyond wine, Gwen has a deep love for gardening, which began when she and Jim built their first home in Kalamunda. Her garden, filled with roses, ferns, and bromeliads, reflects her connection to nature, inspired by her grandmother’s love for plants. With over 30 years in thewine industry, Gwen is able to curate a personalised wine selection for you to enjoy. You can find Gwen in our Cellar Door four days a week, continuing to share her passion for wine with visitors.
Jim Bailey, Owner
Jim Bailey’s journey from Kalgoorlie’s harsh, semi-arid landscape to the fertile soils of Margaret River is a testament to his lifelong passion for farming. Growing up in Boulder, Jim spent his childhood helping his father tend to their family vegetable patch, learning early on the value of hard work and resilience in tough conditions.
Jim and his wife, Gwen, later discovered the rich soils of Rosa Brook in Margaret River, an area once used for beef and dairy farming. The land proved perfect for growing exceptional fruit, and they began planting grapes.
Now retired, Jim can often be found in the Cellar Door on Sundays, where his love for the land continues through the thriving vegetable garden he maintains for his family.
Nathan Bailey, Owner and Chief Winemaker
Nathan Bailey is the Chief Winemaker and Co-founder of Brown Hill Estate, driven by a lifelong passion for farming and winemaking. Growing up on a 14-acre property, Nathan developed a deep connection to the land, spending his childhood tending to the family’s vegetable patch and orchard. His love for growing things naturally led him to winemaking, where he believes the true measure of his care for the vines and soil is reflected in the wine.
Nathan’s winemaking philosophy is based oin minimal intervention, focusing on the quality of the fruit and its journey from vine to bottle. His approach is simple: beautiful, clean fruit results in beautiful, clean wine. This commitment to the land and authentic winemaking ensures our wines are a true reflection of the magnificent Margaret River wine region.
Chiara Bailey, Owner
Chiara Bailey grew up in the vast, open landscapes of Western Australia, surrounded by wheat and sheep farms. Each morning, Chiara can be found walking amongst the vines, accompanied by her loyal Border Collie, Obi. Obi takes up residence in the Cellar Door throughout the day, delighting visitors with his friendly greetings. Chiara can be found in the Cellar Door most days, sharing her passion for nature, history, storytelling and connecting with people as she takes them through the range of Brown Hill wines.
Angelique Rouviere, Vineyard Supervisor
Angelique “Ang” Rouviere hails from France and discovered her love for plants while working in a large nursery. She talks to our grape vines in French and has a deep passion for nature. After visiting on a working holiday visa in 2017, Ang has now settled here permanently. Along with overseeing the vineyard, she shares her knowledge at the Cellar Door on Saturdays and occasionally during the week.
Angela McCabe, Wine Club Manager
Angela McCabe, a passionate wine enthusiast from Wales, joined our team in 2016 as our Wine Club Manager. After marrying an Australian, she made the move to Australia, where she has since become an integral part of our team. With her deep knowledge and love for wine, Angela ensures that all of our Wine Club members receive the highest level of care and attention, overseeing special releases and handling any wine-related queries.
Nic Dare, Cellar Door
Nic Dare is a vibrant, nature-loving local from Margaret River, known for her passion for the outdoors. With a warm and outgoing personality, Nic can be found at the Cellar Door, where she loves to share her enthusiasm for wine with every visitor. Whether it’s a casual wine tasting or a deep dive into all things to do with our wines and vineyard, Nic ensures that every visit is one filled with warmth and connection.
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