If you love soft, breathable knitwear, you’ve probably already met Merino wool. It’s the fibre that keeps you warm without overheating, feels gentle on the skin, and works across seasons. But one question comes up again and again:
Which country has the best Merino Wool?
To answer that, we need to start with a little journey through history.
A Short History of Merino Wool
Origin of Merino Sheep:
Merino sheep originated from the Iberian Peninsula, specifically from what is now Spain and Portugal. These sheep were prized for their fine wool, and they were initially bred in the region by the Moors in the Middle Ages.
Strict Control by the Spanish Crown:
For centuries, the Spanish crown heavily controlled the breeding and export of Merino sheep. The wool was so valuable that exporting the sheep was forbidden, and even taking the wool out of Spain was highly restricted. Merino wool was considered a national treasure due to its exceptional quality.
Exporting to Other Countries:
By the late 18th century, Spain began to ease some of the restrictions on exporting Merino sheep. A few sheep were smuggled or legally exported to other countries, which included South Africa. However, the more significant export of Merino sheep to other parts of the world, including Australia, took place after the sheep were brought to South Africa.
Australia's Role:
Australia played a key role in refining Merino wool. The climate and pasture conditions in Australia turned out to be ideal for breeding Merino sheep. Over time, Australian farmers selectively bred the sheep to further improve the fineness and softness of the wool. As a result, Australian Merino wool became famous for its exceptional quality, which continues to be highly sought after globally.
(Champion Merino ram, 1905 Sydney Sheep Show)
Today, Merino flocks exist in many countries. But when you talk about the highest volumes and the most consistent, fine-quality Merino used in premium garments, one country stands out.
Why Australian Merino Wool Is So Highly Regarded
So, which country has the best Merino wool?
While many countries produce excellent Merino wool, Australia is widely regarded as the global leader in fine Merino Wool, especially for luxury fashion and high-performance apparel. Thanks to its ideal climate, vast grazing landscapes, and generations of specialised breeding, Australia supplies the majority of the ultra-fine Merino wool used in premium clothing and tailoring around the world.
Reasons why Australian Merino Wool is special
Ideal natural environment
The vast open rangelands and mixed farming regions of Australia give sheep plenty of space, clean air, and varied pasture. These conditions help produce long, fine, strong wool fibres that feel incredibly soft against the skin.
Generations of breeding and know-how
Australian woolgrowers have spent more than 200 years carefully selecting for finer micron, better crimp, stronger fibres, and overall fleece quality. The “Australian Merino” is now recognised as a distinct, world-class type of Merino sheep.
Consistency at scale
Australia doesn’t just produce fine wool—it produces it consistently, year after year. That consistency is crucial when you want to turn a raw fibre into high-quality yarns, fabrics, and garments that feel the same every season.
For all these reasons, when we decided where our Merino wool should come from, the answer was clear: Australia.
Our Wool's Origins: Mokota Farm, South Australia
Within Australia, we go one step further. Instead of sourcing wool from many different farms, our Merino wool comes from a single place: Mokota Farm, in South Australia.
Mokota is a long-established agricultural and pastoral enterprise owned and operated by the Gebhardt family. The property stretches across rolling hills around Mount Bryan and the surrounding districts, combining sheep farming with cropping and export hay production.
The name Mokota itself means “fine view”, and it truly lives up to that name—wide, open skies, clean wind, and a landscape shaped by generations of careful land stewardship.
From this beautiful, windswept environment comes the Merino wool that goes into our garments.
When you put on one of our pieces, you’re not wearing an anonymous fibre from thousands of farms. You’re wearing wool that can be traced back to one specific place, looked after by one family over many generations.
Why We Choose 100% Australian Wool — from One Farm Only
You might ask: why do we insist that all our wool comes from Australia, and specifically from Mokota?
There are three big reasons.
1.Fibre Quality You Can Feel
Australian Merino offers the perfect combination of fineness, softness, and strength, ideal for garments that are both luxurious and long-lasting. By working with a single farm, we can maintain a very tight specification for fibre quality—micron, length, colour, and crimp—season after season.
That means:
- Garments that feel consistently soft and comfortable
- Better performance in spinning and knitting
- Fabrics that drape beautifully and resist pilling when cared for correctly
In short: your sweater doesn’t just feel good the first time—it feels good for years.
2.Traceability and Transparency
In today’s world, “where does this come from?” is one of the most important questions a customer can ask.
By sourcing from one Australian farm, we can answer that question clearly:
- We know exactly which land the sheep grazed on.
- We know the people who care for them.
- We can trace the journey from farm to fibre, to yarn, to fabric, to finished garment.
This level of traceability is not just a marketing story—it’s our way of guaranteeing authenticity and building trust with you.
3. Respect for Land and Animals
Mokota is managed with a long-term perspective: preserving soil health, managing water carefully, and maintaining a balanced environment for crops and livestock.
When we choose to work exclusively with a farm like this, we’re choosing:
- Responsible land management
- High animal welfare standards
- A supply chain that aligns with our values of natural, responsible, and enduring fashion
We believe beautiful clothing starts with respect—for the animals, for the land, and for the people who care for both.
So… Which Country Has the Best Merino Wool?
If you ask us, the answer is simple:
The best Merino wool is the one you can trust—soft on your skin, kind to the planet, and honestly sourced.
That’s why we choose Australian Merino wool, and why every piece we make begins on Mokota Farm in South Australia.
When you wear our garments, you’re not just feeling premium fibre—you’re carrying a story from a real place, with real people behind it.
From the hills of Mokota to your wardrobe: that’s the journey of our Merino.
