Stella Bella in Context:
Pre, Current and Museum Releases
Plus, Luminosa + Suckfizzle Vintage Vertical
โWe love that our Luminosa Cabernet can be mentioned in the same breath as Wynns John Riddoch, Cullen, Mount Mary, Moss Wood, Yarra Yering and Penfolds Bin 707. The quality of Luminosa is driven from our iconic, single site vineyard, farmed with an incredible attention to detail and crafted with passion in the wineryโ
- Stella Bella Wines on being three Merit Classified, The Real Review.
โFrom one of Australiaโs ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐น๐ ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐...โ
Christina Pickard, Wine Enthusiast
โStella Bella has been undergoing a renaissance of late, winemaker Luke Joliffe has the Midas touch.โ
Gabrielle Poy, The Real Review
โThis is outrageously goodโฆ.What a wine.โ
Halliday Wine Companion on the 2023 Luminosa Chardonnay
โGorgeous, salivating stuff.โ
Erin Larkin on the 2019 Luminosa Chardonnay
13 Stella Bella Wines includingโฆ
Two Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
2023 | 2007 (museum)
The New Release 2024 Chardonnay and Suckfizzle Chardonnay
A Luminosa Chardonnay Vintage Vertical
2024 (pre-release) | 2023 | 2019 (museum)
Four show stopping cabernet sauvignons incl. the 2019 Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon which has been awarded 99 Points - The Real Review
Stella Bellaโs Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon has officially been recognised in the top 0.5% of wines produced within Australia in the Real Review's Wine Classification of Australia.
Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon has been awarded a 3 Merit Classification, placing it within the top 0.5% of wines within Australia. This comes on the back of its recent 2019 vintage being awarded 99 Points by Stuart Knox from The Real Review team.
Saturday December 6
Hosted by Chief Winemaker Jarrad Olsen
Lunch: 12-2.30pm, 13 Wines & 4 Course Menu, $165.00
Masterclass: 3-5pm, 13 Wines and Kate Lamont Canapรฉs $75.00
Luke Joliffe of Stella Bella Wines
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Overview:
Stella Bella is rated amongst the best wineries in Australia and has set the benchmark for producing southern Margaret River wines. Today Stella Bella is a continuously evolving to create beautiful wines that captivate and create a memorable wine experience.
Stella Bella Wines and its success today evolved from the fusion of two passionate minds, Stuart Pym and Janice McDonald. Together they decided to craft wines that would rival the benchmarks of Australia and beyond, with a strong belief in the unique and expressive terroir of Margaret River.History:
1996 โ The creation of Suckfizzleโฆ.
In 1996, Stuart & Janice took over the โSuckfizzleโ Vineyard, the most southern vineyard in the Margaret River Region. Correctly believing that its distinctive location & meso-climate could produce truly unique wines.
1997 โ Suckfizzle first vintageโฆ
The first vintage of the Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, now a highly acclaimed wine, was made in 1997. A white Bordeaux style wine inspired by Domaine de Chevalier. Its mischievous name was inspired by the Great Lord Suckfizzle, a monumental character in the 15th century book Gargantua and Pantagruel, by monk and medico Francois Rabelais.
1998 โ Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon releasedโฆ
1998 marked the release of the first Suckfizzle vintage. The brand name and story was very controversial at a time when the wine industry took a very traditional and conservative approach to marketing. Some trade and media even refused to review the wine as they thought it disrespected the industry. Gone are those days and Suckfizzle now has a cult following and a renowned reputation.
1999 โ The creation of Stella Bellaโฆ
The beautiful Stella Bella label and brand was designed by Braincells Design agency in 1999. The brief was to encapsulate the beautiful colours, aromas and flavours we enjoy and talk about in wine. The name Stella Bella meaning โBeautiful Starโ in Italian.
2000 โ Stella Bella Pink Moscato releasedโฆ
The first wine of its style in Australia, which set the benchmark for the Moscato wine style today. Made from the traditional muscat grape variety Muscat Rose ร Petits Grains. The winemakers were inspired by Italian varieties and a drive to produce wines that are unique to Margaret River.
2001 โ First vintage of a Stella Bella white & red winesโฆ
A Stella Bella Chardonnay and Sangiovese Cabernet were the first two table wines to be produced under the Stella Bella label.
2002 โ Stella Bella Chardonnay & Sangiovese Cabernet releasedโฆ
These two iconic Stella Bella wines were released to the market.
2004 โ The start of Skuttlebuttโฆ
The Skuttlebutt range was introduced to the Stella Bella wine portfolio.
2007 โ First vintage of Serie Luminosa Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Stella Bella Serie Luminosa was introduced to represent the very finest selections of our Margaret River vineyards. As the quality expected from this brand is so high, the wines may not be produced every year, depending upon the whims of Mother Nature.
2009 โ The rise of Serie Luminosa Chardonnayโฆ
After receiving high accolades for the 2008 Stella Bella Chardonnay, a Chardonnay was introduced to the Serie Luminosa range.
2009 โ Cellar door opened...
We moved into our charming little home on Rosa Brook Road.
2013 โ Luke Joliffe takes the reins as Senior Winemaker...
Luke joined the Stella Bella team for the 2007 vintage. In 2013 Stuart Pym handed over the Senior Winemaker reins to Luke.
2017 โ Stella Bella, Luminosa + Suckfizzle re-brand, introduction of Otro Vino collection...
Along with a refresh of our Stella Bella, Luminosa and Suckfizzle brands, we launched the exciting Otro Vino range. A chance to showcase the creative side of Stella Bella.
2018 โ Our most successful wine show season...
Stella Bella scooped 14 Trophies and 22 Gold Medals during the 2018 wine show season, our most successful season since inception.
2019 โ Cellar Door extension...
Our rustic little Cellar Door received a beautiful new tasting area.
2021 โ Wine of the Year...
Our 2018 Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded Wine of the Year at the WA Good Food Guide Awards.
2022 โ 99 Points...
After achieving Wine of the Year last year, our 2019 Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded 99 Points by the esteemed Stuart Knox, The Real Review.
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Luminosa
Planted in 1997.
Varieties: Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Sangiovese, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Muscat Rose ร Petits Grains.
Slightly undulating, the entire vineyard has a mesoclimate that is perfectly suited to enhancing vine balance and producing very high-quality fruit. The cooling effects of the sea breeze in summer serves to moderate the extremes of temperature. Luminosa is home to our vineyard office and has excellent infrastructure, water availability, soil type and trellising.
Suckfizzle
The Stella Bella โSuckfizzleโ Chardonnay has fast become one of Australiaโs most awarded - 10 trophies and 13 golds since its first release in 2017.
SBS continues its legacy as the countryโs cult-classic white blend - now boasting 6 trophies and 3 Platinum Medals at Decanter across the past 8 vintages.
Planted: Old block in 1988 + Young Block in 1998
Location: Bussell Hwy, Augusta โ the most southern vineyard in the Margaret River region.
Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Chardonnay, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon.
Surrounded by the Indian Ocean to the west, the Southern Ocean to the south and the Blackwood River inlet to the east, the vineyard is also sheltered to the north east by the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge. The meso-climate of this vineyard is dominated by extreme maritime influences. Warmer soil temperatures cause the vines to break dormancy.
Otro Vino
Meaning other wine. Adventurous, creative, exotic and explorative hand-crafted wines.Skuttlebutt
Skuttlebutt is a nautical term for the source of fresh drinking water on a sailing ship where people gather to catch up on the gossip and goings-on. To reflect the nature of this everyday social gathering, we create these wines as the perfect excuse to gather and Skuttlebutt with friends.
(Stella Bella) -
โStella Bella has been undergoing a renaissance of late, winemaker Luke Joliffe has the Midas touch.โ
- Gabrielle Poy, The Real ReviewThe evolution and success of Stella Bella is thanks to the local Pyvis and Waldon families. They recognised the potential and quality of southern Margaret River wines and shared a vision to create a grape growing and wine making team, with a gravel to glass approach. The small team who bring these wines to life is led by Chief Winemaker Luke Jolliffe and Viticulturist James Hayward.
(Stella Bella Wines)Luke Jolliffe grew up in the Clare Valley wine region and completed his Bachelor of Agricultural Science (Viticulture major) at Adelaide University. After graduating in 1999, Luke joined Hardyโs Tintara operation in McLaren Vale as Viticultural Technical Officer, where he stayed until 2003. Whilst working at Tintara he also completed his Post Graduate Degree in Oenology.
Luke has undertaken harvest in the Rhรดne Valley in 2005 at Raymond Troillas, based in St Joseph his where his focus turned to winemaking. In, 2007 an opportunity arose with Stella Bella to work as a vintage assistant which he embraced, quickly being promoted to Assistant Winemaker in June 2008, Winemaker in November 2009 and finally Chief Winemaker in July 2013.
Luke was named as a finalist in the 2020 Gourmet Traveller Wine Winemaker of the Year awards and has long been a champion of southern Margaret River wines and with the wealth of trophies that have followed him has shown that wines from the southern climes of Margaret River have a "finesse and class to equal the best in the region."
As Huon Hooke noted, โLukeโs Luminosa and Suckfizzle wines are at the pointy end of Margaret Riverโs quality tree. Heโs an exciting winemaker who has a great deal more to show us.โ
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2025
Top Five Red Winery in the Halliday Wine Companion 2026
2025 James Halliday Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge
Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2024 - Best Chardonnay from Margaret River.
Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 also took home a Gold Medal.
International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC)
Gold Medal - Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2024
Gold Medal - Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023
National Wine Show of Australia
This isnโt just any wine show - entries are only accepted if the wines have already won gold or silver at a major capital city or regional show.
2023 Stella Bella Chardonnay
2023 Stella Bella Shiraz
2022 Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon
Royal Sydney Wine Show
Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023 - Trophy for Best White Blend of Show (its second trophy already).
Otro Vino Rosรฉ 2025 - Trophy for Best Rosรฉ of Show.
Royal Queensland Wine Awards
Suckfizzle Chardonnay 2024
- Best Chardonnay of Show
- Best White Table Wine of ShowSuckfizzle SBS 2023
- Best White Blend of Show
Sommeliers Wine Awards (UK)
Stella Bella Pink Moscato 2024 - Gold Medal and Criticsโ Choice Award
2024
Top 100 Wineries in Australia by both Halliday Wine Companion and The Real Review
Shortlisted as one of the Best Value Wineries in Australia by Halliday
A stellar wine show season: 19 Golds, 28 Silvers, and 22 Bronze Medals
4 wines listed in the Wine Classification of Australia, recognizing 10 years of exceptional quality
Luminosa Chardonnay 2022 won a Best In Show Award the 2024 Decanter World Wine Awards.
And for the 18th consecutive year, a 5 Red Star Rating from Halliday!
2023
International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC)
The highest scoring Chardonnay - 2022 Luminosa Chardonnay was awarded Gold and 97 Points.
Royal Wine Shows
Royal Adelaide Wine Show : Luminosa Chardonnay 2022 was awarded dual trophies for Best Chardonnay & Most Outstanding White Wine in Show
This follows dual trophies at Royal Queensland Wine Awards for Best Chardonnay & Best White Wine of Show, a Gold Medal & 97 Points at the International Wine And Spirits Competition (the top rated Chardonnay in Margaret River), a Gold Medal at the Halliday Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge and a Gold Medal at the Perth Royal Wine Awards.
Other:
3 Merit Wine โ The Real Reviewโs Wine Classification of Australia
3 Merit Wines represent iconic wines of the country, wines of true provenance and exemplary track record. Fewer than 0.5% of wines produced achieve this tier.
Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
99 Points - Stuart Knox - The Real Review, March 2022
97 Points - Erin Larkin - Halliday Wine Companion 2023
96 Points - Gary Walsh - The Wine front, February 2022
GOLD Medal - Perth Royal Wine Awards 2021
GOLD Medal - Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2021
2018 Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon
Wine of the Year - 2021 WA Good Food Guide Awards
GOLD Medal- 2020 Decanter World Wine Awards
GOLD Medal- 2020 Royal Adelaide Wine Show
GOLD Medal- 2020 Perth Royal Wine Awards
GOLD Medal- 2019 National Wine Show of Australia
98 Points - Ray Jordan, The West Australian, Nov 2021
97 Points - Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion 2022
97 Points - Stuart Knox, The Real Review, Oct 2021
2017 Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon
GOLD Medal- 2020 Royal Adelaide Wine Show
GOLD Medal- 2019 National Wine Show of Australia
97 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review - March 2020
96 Points - Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Real Review - May 2020
95+ Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - April 2020
95 Points - Halliday Wine Companion 2021
91 Points - Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate - Jan 2020
2016 Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon
PLATINUM Medal +97 Points - 2018 Decanter World Wine Awards
DOUBLE GOLD Medal- 2019 Six Nations Wine Challenge
96 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review
The Wine List
First Bracket
2024 Stella Bella Sauvignon Blanc
A lovely balance of pared-back tropical fruits, more Chinese gooseberries and kiwifruit, with Meyer lemon and finger lime. Lots of green notes this vintage, but the palate has a creaminess. Itโs a touch savoury, and a vibrancy to the acidity drives this long.
93 Points - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
2023 Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
IWSC Gold Medal and 95 Points
Fresh aromas of ripe fruit, enhanced by delicate smoky oak. The palate reveals a rounded juicy mouthfeel, leading to a complex finish of cut grass, coffee bean, and grilled grapefruit.
Judges Tasting Note
Such a good wine with its smoky charm, texture and savoury palate thanks to some parcels of fruit fermented in barrel with regular lees stirring. Itโs a contained wine though, as nothing is overt or dominating, with great balance of fruit to acidity and phenolics. Itโs delicious, complex and compelling.
95 Points - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
2007 Suckfizzle Sauvignon Blanc Semillon
This is a 59.5/40.5% blend, whole bunch-pressed, briefly settled, then fermented in 100% new French oak. At the conclusion of fermentation, 50% is transferred to older oak. Deep green-gold, it is exceptionally complex, with multiple layers of toasty oak and ripe fruit, yet with a magical spine of citrussy acidity that gives the wine great length.
96 Points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
Second Bracket
2024 Stella Bella Chardonnay [New Release]
Peach fuzz, meyer lemon blossom and pink grapefruit lift out of the glass, perfectly complimented with a smokey gun flint edge and toasty nougat notes.
The palate bursts with juicy ripe peach, nectarine and a squeeze of fresh lime. A subtle mealy complexity from MLF adds texture and shape, delivering precision and tension from the tip of your tongue to the back of your palate. Mouth watering mineral acidity, created by the summer sea breezes blowing through our vineyards, brings an element of saltiness and a spring water liveliness, which leaves you wondering where the bottle went.
Stella Bella Tasting Notes
2024 Stella Bella Suckfizzle Chardonnay [New Release]
Trophy Best Chardonnay from the Margaret River Region - James Halliday Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge 2025
Best Chardonnay - Royal Queensland Wine Awards 2025
Best White Wine of Show - Royal Queensland Wine Awards 2025
Intense aromas of Meyer lemon and salted lime leap from the glass, layered with subtle white peach and a hint of estuarine sea spray. An added touch of cashew nut from malolactic fermentation adds savoury complexity. Salivating and vibrant, the palate pulses with lemon, lime and grapefruit balanced by precise natural acidity and layered phenolic texture. A touch of malolactic fermentation adds a soft, creamy element that enriches without overpowering. Pure, powerful and unparalleled Chardonnay.
Stella Bella Tasting Notes
2017 Stella Bella Suckfizzle Chardonnay
Trophy Best Wine of Show - Margaret River Wine Show 2018
Trophy Best White Wine of Show - Margaret River Wine Show 2018
Trophy Best Chardonnay of Show - Margaret River Wine Show 2018
Trophy Best Chardonnay from the Margaret River Region - James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge 2018
97 Points - Huon Hooke, Real Review Sep 2018
A change in pace for Suckfizzle, with an early(ish) release of its premium chardonnay with intensity and concentration, and fresh, vibrant white peach/nectarine grapefruit flavours. This wine will run for years if you wish, but is already very smart. Best Chardonnay from Margaret River, James Halliday Chardonnay Challenge '18.
97 Points - James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
Third Bracket
2024 Stella Bella Luminosa Chardonnay [Pre- Release]
IWSC Silver Medal and 94 Points
Lively aromas of jasmine and pear. The palate reveals a creamy texture, enriched by tangy lime and sea salt, leading to a refreshing finish infused with moreish spiced oak.
Judges Tasting Note
2023 Stella Bella Luminosa Chardonnay
Gold Medal - Decanter World Wine Awards 2025
97 Points - Jane Faulkner - Halliday Wine Companion, Feb 2025
96 Points - Stuart Knox - The Real Review, Jan 2025
96 Points - Gary Walsh - The Wine Front, Nov 2024
96 Points - Jeni Port - Wine Pilot, Dec 2024
95 Points - Erin Larkin - Wine Advocate, Mar 2025
Gold Medal - Margaret River Wine Show 2024
This is outrageously good. Itโs stately, a powerhouse of a wine, yet is perfectly poised and stylish. A good site and clever winemaking (Gingin clone) allow chardonnayโs inherent strengths to shine. That would be the citrus-accented fruit, the struck match flintiness, spice and mouth-watering acidity. The palate builds and while thereโs depth and volume, this is well contained with judicious oak and feathery light lees flavour. And yet, given all that, thereโs a fineness as the finish heads off to the horizon. What a wine.
97 Points - Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion
2019 Stella Bella Luminosa Chardonnay
Platinum Medal + 97 Points - Decanter World Wine Awards 2020
97 Points - Erin Larkin - Halliday Wine Companion 2022
Gold Medal - Perth Royal Wine Awards 2020
Gold Medal - Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2020
Hand picked, whole-bunch pressed, wild ferment in French oak. Pink grapefruit, salted yellow peach, curry leaf and crushed nuts. It's worked, but it has got it all, including a core of pure fruit on the palate. Like a Tardis, this wine contains more flavour than it lets on. Ripples of flavour slowly radiate out from its centre, keeping the drinker engaged for quite some time. Gorgeous, salivating stuff.
97 Points - Erin Larkin, Halliday Wine Companion
Fourth Bracket
2023 Stella Bella Cabernet Sauvignon [Pre-Release]
TBC
2023 Stella Bella Suckfizzle Cabernet Sauvignon
96 Points - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, Jun 2025
95 Points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, Apr 2025
95 Points - Jeni Port, Wine Pilot, Jun 2025
2023 Stella Bella Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon
3 Merit Wine โ The Real Reviewโs Wine Classification of Australia
3 Merit Wines represent iconic wines of the country, wines of true provenance and exemplary track record. Fewer than 0.5% of wines produced achieve this tier.
Gold Medal - James Halliday Chardonnay & Cabernet Challenge 2025
97 Points - Nick Ryan, The Australian, July 2025
95 Points - Cassandra Charlick, Decanter, June 2025
2019 Stella Bella Luminosa Cabernet Sauvignon
99 Points - The Real Review
96 Points โ Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, Feb 2022
Gold Medal โ Perth Royal Wine Awards 2021
Gold Medal โ Royal Adelaide Wine Show 2021
Deep ruby-red core into a bright purple rim. The nose lifts with blueberry and cassis, underscored by a hint of cigar box and wakame. Power with poise, the fruit is perfectly-ripe black and blue berries, layered amongst this is a line of umami salinity and a softening spice and cedar-wood element from thoughtful oak use. The tannins are fine and supple on entry, building their presence as the wine's power builds in synchronicity. That intensity and flow carries it long to the finish, which when it eventually arrives is a clean and perfumed delight. This is very close to perfection.
99 Points - Stuart Knox, The Real Review