The Story Behind Jillian Pearl: A Sparkling Tribute to Mum
At Eight at the Gate, every wine begins with a story. Some are shaped by the land, others by the season – but a few are something deeper. Jillian Pearl Sparkling Blanc de Blanc 2022 is one of those wines.
This is more than a sparkling. It’s a tribute.
Named for the Heart Behind It All
We wanted to capture her strength and grace in a bottle, so we created a limited-edition 2022 vintage méthode traditionnelle sparkling.
“As we built Eight at the Gate Wines, Mum stepped in whenever needed – from caring for our children to lending a hand in the vineyard. Her unwavering support, like this wine’s persistent bubbles, never faltered. Each sip embodies Jillian’s strength and grace – a woman who, like this wine, grew more beautiful with time.”
A tribute can be read on the back label of every bottle.
When revealing the name dedication of the new release over Christmas, it brought many of us to tears.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen Mum that emotional,” Jane says. “Actually, she really was shocked because we wrote some nice things on the back of the label as well. The good thing is she loves the wine and takes it out to all her friends.” As quoted in a feature article for SA Life Magazine.
That same strength, instilled by our mum sits at the heart of Eight at the Gate as more than a name on a label. It lives on in the way we craft our wines, run our business, and share our story with honesty and purpose. It is a legacy of women supporting women, and of family as both anchor and inspiration – something we reflected on in a Good Food & Wine Show feature celebrating women in wine for International Women’s Day, where our story stood alongside others helping to shape the future of the industry.
A Wine That Mirrors Its Namesake
We’re pretty proud that it’s not just a sentimental favourite; it actually won a Gold Medal and 95 points at the 2024 Limestone Coast Wine Show plus 95 Halliday points.
“A loving tribute to owners Claire and Jane’s mum and, like all Méthode Traditionnelle wines and the precise talent of motherhood, this is a labour of love, loyalty and dedication to the finer details.”
– Halliday Wine Taster, Shanteh Wale, awarded 95pt
Let’s Raise a Glass
Every bottle of Jillian Pearl Sparkling Blanc de Blanc carries more than just beautifully crafted wine. It carries a story of family, of gratitude and legacy.
So whether you’re celebrating something big or simply taking a moment to pause, this is a wine that invites you to make it meaningful.
Because the best wines don’t just mark occasions – they honour the people behind them.
From the cellar door
Bring a little Eight at the Gate home.
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