Wineries of Western Australia's Margaret River
Western Australia’s Margaret River wine region produces an incredible 25% of Australia’s premium wine range. The region is home to over 200 vineyards, each with distinct microclimates producing unique wines with distinct character.
Margaret River wines are one of the most geographically isolated and uniquely produced wines across the globe, with 80% of its plant species found nowhere else in the world. The region’s wineries specialise in Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, thanks to its Mediterranean climate characterised by heavy winter rainfalls with cool sea breezes from the Indian Ocean, and long dry summers perfect for ripening grapes.
The region is home to several ancient soils, predominantly well-drained loam soils, each producing wines with unique character. The middle of the region is home to the Leeuwin-Naturaliste ridge founded on 150-600 million year old granite bedrock, and covered with two million year old limestone soil - some of the oldest soils in the world.
The wine region, which is just a three hour drive from Perth, offers plenty of beautiful cellar door tours. Here are some handpicked world-class wineries to visit in the Margaret River region.
Arimia Winery.
Voted Gourmet Traveller’s #1 WA Regional Restaurant in 2018, the Arimia Winery operates entirely self-sufficiently in the northern end of the Margaret River. Their vineyards organically produce Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as Zinfandel and Verdelho.
Cape Mentelle.
Established in 1970, Cape Mentelle is considered one of Margaret River’s founding wineries, and remains today a benchmark for the region’s high quality wines. They cultivate Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Zinfandel. The vineyard also incorporates sustainable practises by not using herbicides and instead embracing organic practises such as under-vine cultivation, winter grazing with sheep for weed control, and the use of reuse of grape marc for compost to improve soil structure and water retention.
Arlewood Estate
Arlewood is a boutique producer of wines inspired by the village of La Bratta in Northern Italy, located in the southern region of the Margaret River. The wines are crafted with creative and unique winemaking techniques, producing highly aromatic, experimental wines.
If you're looking to visit world-class wineries in Australia, you can't go pass Western Australia's famous Margaret River wine region.
