A Story in Every Sip: Unearthing the Magic of Singlefile Wines in Denmark, WA
Monica Tindall
In the soft light of Denmark, Western Australia, Singlefile Wines unfolds a narrative in each glass—geology and family, terroir and tenacity, all lined up like those iconic resident geese.
Singlefile Wines, established in 2007, is the result of a singular pursuit: to craft elegant, site-driven wines that reflect the character of the Great Southern. The estate was founded by geologists Phil and Viv Snowden—Phil greets us on arrival, immediately claiming to be the vineyard’s real talent, with “great legs, just like the wines” and a twinkle in his eye. Viv, gracious and sharp-witted, balances the welcome with a knowing smile.
Together with their daughter Pamela and son-in-law Patrick Corbett, they’ve created a vineyard set among rolling rows of vines and native karri woodland near Denmark, WA. Their ethos—minimal intervention, expressive terroir, and genuine warmth—shines through every vintage, from pristine Chardonnay and vibrant Riesling to elegant Shiraz and finely structured Cabernet.
Singlefile Wines – The Family Behind the Label
At the heart of Singlefile Wines is a family whose passion for the land is matched only by their curiosity and commitment to doing things exceptionally well. Phil and Viv Snowden were not career winemakers when they first set foot on the Denmark property in 2007. Both geologists by training, they brought with them a deep appreciation for place and a scientific precision that would serve them well in viticulture. What they lacked in formal winemaking credentials, they made up for in enthusiasm, attention to detail, and a profound respect for the land.
They weren’t alone for long. Daughter Pamela Snowden and her husband, Patrick Corbett, soon joined the fold, bringing energy and fresh ideas to the operation. Patrick, with a background in finance and a head for strategy, became managing director, while Pamela turned her flair for storytelling and connection into marketing magic. Together, the family forged a vision that was both ambitious and deeply grounded in values—of integrity, authenticity, and a love for the region.
Importantly, the Snowdens never set out to be everywhere at once. Rather, they sought to be very good in one place and let the wines speak for themselves. Over time, their careful sourcing from across the Great Southern’s five key subregions—Denmark, Mount Barker, Frankland River, Albany and Porongurup—allowed them to offer a thoughtful cross-section of the region’s diverse expressions. But always, it is the sense of family and the strength of their collaborative spirit that underpins the Singlefile story.
The Winery & Winemaking Philosophy
Singlefile champions a considered, almost contemplative approach to winemaking—one that favours clarity over complication and place over prestige. Fruit is sourced from vineyards across all five subregions of the Great Southern—each chosen for its compatibility with particular varietals. From the cool maritime breezes of Denmark to the sun-drenched ridges of Frankland River, site selection is meticulous, grounded in both science and intuition.
Rather than centralising production, Singlefile embraces a minimal intervention philosophy and collaborates closely with specialist contract winemakers who align with their ethos. Each parcel is treated individually, with gentle handling and minimal additives, allowing the vintage, vineyard, and varietal to lead the conversation.
Their flagship Singlefile range—distinguished by its elegant black labels and expressive fruit (and a nod to the resident geese and how they walk when they’re on a mission)—is made exclusively from the best-performing blocks. Meanwhile, the Great Southern and Run Free collections offer accessible expressions of regional character and value. Across the board, the wines reflect a shared house style: clean lines, clarity, and a confident balance between fruit and structure.
It’s also worth mentioning that sustainability is more than a buzzword here. Vineyard practices are guided by organic and regenerative principles, and the estate’s broader environmental commitment is tangible—from biodiversity corridors to water conservation and low-impact tourism. The wines are vegan-friendly, and the packaging favours low-waste and thoughtful sourcing.
In short, Singlefile’s approach is equal parts soil science, sensory artistry, and slow, careful stewardship. It’s a winery that lets the wines—and the wild geese—do the talking.
It’s one thing to read about Singlefile’s thoughtful sourcing and terroir-driven approach—it’s another entirely to experience it glass by glass, story by story. Fortunately, the team offers just that: an immersive tasting designed to connect guests with the land, the wines, and the people behind them.
Welcome to A Sense of Place.
A Sense of Place
The name is no exaggeration. A Sense of Place is an invitation to slow down and really listen—to the vineyard, the vintage, the winemaker, and perhaps even to yourself. Hosted in the cellar, the vineyard and ending at a private table in Singlefile’s tranquil garden, this guided experience is tailored for those who find joy in nuance, and beauty in detail.
Our host Tracey welcomed us with warmth and understated knowledge—no performance, no rehearsed monologue, just a genuine conversation about the wine, the region, and the family’s story. The tasting included numerous carefully chosen wines, each poured with purpose and context. The selection changes seasonally, but always showcases the range and regionality that define the Great Southern.
Our tasting at Singlefile Wines began with a charming introduction: a cool-climate sparkling made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Bright and elegant, it offered citrus blossom and green apple on the nose, with a fine mousse and crisp acidity that refreshed the palate for what was to come.
The Denmark Chardonnay followed, all restraint and poise, delivering a whisper of white stone fruit, flinty minerality and a touch of well-integrated oak. A Mount Barker Riesling was a standout—racy and aromatic, singing with lemon zest, kaffir lime and just a hint of wet stone.
Moving into the reds, a Porongurup Pinot Noir danced across the palate with red cherry, wild herbs and subtle spice—light on its feet but not lacking in complexity. A dry rosé made from Sangiovese gave us watermelon, white peach and a whisper of orange rind, the sort of wine that made us want to seek out more from this part of the world. The Frankland River Cabernet delivered classic varietal character: blackcurrant, bay leaf and a graphite-like edge wrapped in fine tannins. A Malbec added unexpected intrigue—dark-fruited and plush, with just enough grip to keep it serious. And finally, the Limited Release ‘Philip Adrian’ Cabernet Sauvignon had us mentally budgeting for a case. Powerful yet refined, its layers of blackberry, cedar and ironstone promised a graceful evolution for those patient enough to cellar it—though we were tempted to open another right then and there.
Each pour was accompanied by a story, a lesson, a conversation, and a Q&A session carried out with patience and grace and a joy of a shared passion. It’s truly one of the best tasting experiences I’ve had (and after 15 years of wine writing, that’s saying something). Part of it is the liberal pours, another is the tour and tasting within the vineyards (amongst the chardonnay vines we were surprised with glasses of the very wine those grapes are made into), and part of it is the generosity of knowledge and time. It felt unhurried, as if there were no limits to our greatest resource of time.
There’s an intimacy to the experience that lingers well after the last glass is drained. We feel as though we’ve been let in on something—a conversation between earth and vine, family and philosophy. And yes, the geese may wander past, as if to remind us that even here, in this peaceful pocket of Denmark, nature still gets the last word.
Reasons to visit Singlefile Wines: complimentary wine tastings; bring your own food, buy a bottle of wine and enjoy a picnic on the beautiful grounds; stunning natural surrounds; a beautiful story of vine and family; darn delicious wines.
Singlefile Wines
90 Walter Road, Denmark, Great Southern, WA 6333, Australia
1300 885 807
Link to Singlefile Wines on Google Maps
www.singlefilewines.com @singlefilewine
thecellar@singlefilewines.com
The Cellar at Singlefile Wines Hours
Daily: 11am-5pm (Closed on public holidays, except during school holidays)
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