Where It All Began
The Cullen family's connection to winemaking in Western Australia dates back to the 1880s, when Kevin Cullen's grandfather, Ephraim Mayo Clarke, established a winery and store in Bunbury, producing the well-known "Punchbowl" wine. Though the vineyard was eventually sold, the instinct for the land would resurface two generations later.
Kevin John AM and Diana Madeline Cullen AM
Dr Kevin Cullen, the first Doctor of Medicine from the University of Western Australia, met Diana Madeline while studying in Melbourne. They married in 1946 and settled in Busselton, where Kevin practised medicine and Diana worked as a physiotherapist while raising their six children.
In the 1960s, they purchased land in Wilyabrup, initially farming sheep and cattle. Guided by Dr John Gladstones' research into Margaret River's potential, they were among the first to plant vines in the region in 1966.
By 1971, they had committed fully to viticulture, planting their fist vines of Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling, and laying the foundations for Cullen Wines.
Diana Madeline Cullen AM
Known affectionately as Di or Diana Madeline, she gained recognition quickly, winning a gold medal at the Melbourne Wine Show in just her second vintage. She went on to win Best Wine at the Canberra Wine Show in 1977 and became the first woman to win a trophy at the Perth Royal Show in 1982. Appointed Chief Winemaker in 1981, she built Cullen Wines' reputation for excellence before passing the role to her daughter Vanya in 1989.
Kevin was equally instrumental, championing Cabernet Sauvignon and believing firmly in Margaret River's potential for world-class Chardonnay. He founded the Cullen Wines International Chardonnay Tasting, now a long-standing and respected event in the Australian wine calendar.
From Di's Journal
Pictured above are scans from Diana Madeline’s vintage journal capturing vintages 1974 all the way through to 1983, with Cullen’s very first vintage in 1974 and Di’s as Chief winemaker at Cullen Wines.
Named in Their Honour
Cullen Wines honours its founders through its two flagship wines: the Diana Madeline, a Cabernet blend, and the Kevin John Chardonnay. Both are consistently among Australia's most highly rated wines.
Kevin passed away in 1994 and Diana in 2003. Both were awarded Life Membership of the Margaret River Wine Industry Association and were jointly named Western Australian Citizens of the Year in 1995. Kevin received the Order of Australia for services to medicine and wine. Diana received the Order of Australia in 1999 for her contribution to viticulture, and the WA wine industry established the Diana Madeline Cullen Award for Outstanding Contribution in her honour.
Vanya Cullen OAM
Vanya Cullen OAM is one of Australia's most influential figures in viticulture and winemaking, and a pioneer of biodynamic agriculture. Over more than three decades as Chief Winemaker, she has transformed Cullen Wines into one of Australia's most respected boutique producers and a global benchmark for sustainable winegrowing.
Under her leadership, the estate became certified organic and biodynamic, and the first winery in Australia to achieve carbon neutrality. Her approach is uncompromising: hand-harvested fruit, wild yeast fermentation, and strict adherence to the biodynamic calendar. Cullen wines are now featured in some of the world's finest restaurants.
With more than 35 years of winemaking at Cullen, Vanya continues to shape the future of Margaret River and Australian wine.
Awards and Recognition
Vanya Cullen OAM
- Order of Australia Medal (2023) for services to viticulture and oenology.
- Jack Mann Memorial Medal (2024) for outstanding contribution to the WA wine industry.
- Margaret River Wine Association Lifetime Achievement Award (2025). Halliday Wine Companion Winemaker of the Year (2020).
- Halliday Wine Companion inaugural Viticulturist of the Year (2022).
- Australian Women in Wine Winemaker of the Year (2019).
- Australian Businesswomen's Hall of Fame inductee (2015).
- ACO Chairman's Award (2019).
Kevin Cullen (1922–1994) and Diana Cullen (1923–2003)
Jointly awarded:
- Western Australian Citizens of the Year (1995)
- Life Membership of the Margaret River Wine Industry Association
Kevin Cullen:
- Order of Australia for services to medicine and wine.
Diana Cullen:
- Order of Australia (1999) for contribution to viticulture.
- Diana Madeline Cullen Award for Outstanding Contribution established in Diana's honour by the WA wine industry.
The Next Chapter
The legacy Diana and Kevin began is now taking shape across a third generation. While Vanya continues as Managing Director and Winemaker, the next generation is becoming increasingly involved.
Her niece, Kate Cullen, joined the board of directors in 2025 and has long been a familiar presence during vintage, contributing to hands-on winery work over many years. Vanya's nephew, Nic Peterkin, winemaker at Pierro and founder of L.A.S. Vino, has also joined the board.
It's a natural, evolving succession, with the Cullen family continuing to guide the estate while supporting the next generation within the winery and the wider Margaret River wine community.
