e a r t h y & g r o u n d e d
In a family business the people involved need to wear many hats. Between cattle breeding, pasture management, a focus on sustainability and the environment, grape-growing and directing the winemaking programme, Ryan Gibbs is the driving force behind Aylesbury Estate.
The Aylesbury Estate story is steeped in history, named after the English town from which the Gibbs family hailed. James Dagley Gibbs originated from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire and migrated to the Australian colony, Western Australia in 1844. James’ son Samuel was a pioneer in the Ferguson Valley – part of what is now the Geographe wine region. This pristine environment is incredibly well suited to the production of high-quality grapes, which in turn helps them to create beautifully complex and balanced wines.
Q O 5
Their pioneering forefathers emigrated from England to the Ferguson Valley over
140 years ago. At that time they were issued with a ‘brand’ to earmark and identify their
livestock. The family’s brand ‘QO5’ became their unique symbol of family heritage and
quality. It also has become a talisman of the insight and foresight in cultivating their
deep knowledge of the land into the crafting of wine, from the ground up.
d e c o n s t r u c t e d h e r a l d r y
The Aylesbury Estate branding takes its cue from the Gibbs Family traditional heraldry. In the
Australian irreverent way though, we have deconstructed it. Whilst the generational past
is acknowledged, so is to challenge the expected and have fresh eyes towards the future.
1
Monogram æ for Aylesbury Estate based on the diphthong - also called
the ‘ash tree’. They like it cos its short and to the point.
2
Developed in Aylesbury, England in the 1800s, the Aylesbury duck is a
famous breed though now more rare, but still has a delicious waddle.
3
The protective shield is usually the field that holds the other elements
of the heraldry; here it is a minor player. They’re lovers not fighters.
4
The three stacked broad axes, historically a symbol of service,
duty and valour were the 'charge' icons of the family heraldry.
Ryan Gibb uses them a lot in the field and around the barbeque.
5
Symbolic of growth and fertility - it's the farming and agriculture
in their heart and bones - wishing for great harvests.
6
The essential life source - their beloved waterfall, rivers
and dams - and the end result of the liquid in the glass.
Studio: Harcus Design
Creative Direction & Design: Annette Harcus
Bottle Photography: Stephen Clarke
Label printers: MCC Australia
