Josephine Perry isn’t your typical Margaret River winemaker. In a region dominated by big names and conservative, traditional styles, she’s carved out her own distinct path with Dormilona Wines—a one-woman operation where creativity meets craft in the most wonderful of ways ways.
Perry's journey began early, cutting her teeth at Cape Mentelle when she was just 14, thanks to her grandfather, a brewer who inspired her to dive into the world of fermentation. From there, she embarked on a global winemaking odyssey, working across Europe and the Americas, before returning home to launch Dormilona in 2013.
"I Knew I couldn't run two wineries in Galicia in Spain and also become a mum so I decided to come home to Margaret River and start Dormilona."
Josephine Perry (via Different Drop YouTube)
The name "Dormilona," meaning “lazy bones” in Spanish, might seem ironic for someone as driven as Perry. But it’s a wry nod to her laid-back, minimalist approach to winemaking. “It’s about providing time and space during the fermentation and maturation process to allow the natural flavours and characteristics of varietals to shine through,” she explains.
This philosophy is evident in every bottle, where simplicity and purity are the guiding principles. Her wines are made from organic and biodynamic grapes with minimal intervention—no fining, no filtration, and only a touch of sulphur at bottling. Presenting the wines of her home in all their natural beauty is what the Dormilona project has always been about.
One of her signature wines is the Dormilona Cabernet Sauvignon, a wine that redefines what Margaret River Cabernet can be. While the region’s Cabernet is often celebrated for its power and structure, Perry’s version is all about clarity and precision. “The berries are tiny, like little bullets of flavour. So why would I chuck that in new oak and make it bigger than it needs to be?” she says. The result is a Cabernet that’s fresh, vibrant, and surprisingly light on its feet—still unmistakably Margaret River, but with a twist that’s uniquely hers.
"The work is done in the vineyards but I think as well it's spending time in the vineyard with the grape and watching it and tasting it and working out what that grape wants and then treating it like that."
Josephine Perry
Pushing that concept a little further is her Clayface Cabernet, fermented and aged 100% in terracotta amphorae to bring out a softer, more textured side of the grape. It’s one of Australia's most interesting and original takes on Cabernet; a wine that challenges convention, offers a different sensory experience and allows the fruit to fully express itself naturally.
In an industry often bound by tradition, Josephine Perry is a breath of fresh air, redefining what it means to be a winemaker in Margaret River. Her wines are thoughtful, engaging, and always a little unexpected—just like the woman behind them.
Perry isn’t following anyone’s rules; she’s writing her own, one bottle at a time.