Idée Fixe.
Noun, [ee-dey feeks], French.
A fixed idea. Obsession.
A Decades-Long Fixation
About Idée Fixe
Birthed by Vasse Felix, Idée Fixe is a new dedicated Blanc de Blancs house, located in the south of Margaret River. Sparkling winemaking has been a quiet obsession of Vasse Felix winemakers since 1985 and our Margaret River Blanc de Blancs is only getting better, for having its own fully-equipped space and focus. We invite you to share our idée fixe.
Our History
1980s
The obsession began at Vasse Felix when Winemaker David Gregg fulfilled his lifelong dream and persistent idea to create a top sparkling wine in Margaret River. “The new Vasse Felix Brut is an outstanding Australian sparkling wine made from the traditional combination… the first release is non-vintage and the base wines go back to 1984… The wine has an excellent yeasty nose and a full creamy mousse.” Paul Murray, The West Australian, 1989.
Early 1990s
Late 1990s
2000s
The Extra Brut is renamed Silver Knight and a short-lived (but very popular) Sparkling Shiraz called Black Knight also makes its debut. The names are in honour of Melbourne Cup winning horses owned by the Holmes à Court Family, who acquired Vasse Felix from David Gregg in 1987.
2010s
Sparkling winemaking at Vasse Felix changes forever when a mysterious block of Chardonnay is discovered in the estate’s southern vineyard in Karridale. The block appears suitable for Blanc de Blancs base wine, and the first experimental vintage is made in 2012. The obsession continues to grow over this decade, and Idée Fixe is born.
2020
A dedicated sparkling wine house is designed and built. The facilities provide all of the equipment and temperature controlled cellars to dedicate serious focus to making distinctive Margaret River Blanc de Blancs. The inaugural Idée Fixe Premier Brut is released in 2020, made with fruit from 2018.
