Vasse Felix was the first vineyard and winery to be established in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. Founded in Wilyabrup in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity, it is recognised as a pioneer of the region, and also features an acclaimed restaurant in Cowaramup.
Margaret River is the major geographical indication wine region in southwest Western Australia, with 5,017 hectares under vine and 215 wineries as at 2012. Margaret River wine region is made up predominantly of boutique size wine producers; although winery operations range from the smallest crushing 3.5 tonne per year to the largest around 7000 tonne. The climate of Margaret River is more strongly maritime-influenced than any other major Australian region. It has the lowest mean annual temperature range, of only 7.6 °C, and as well as the most marked Mediterranean climate in terms of rainfall, with only 200 millimetres of the annual 1160 millimetres falling between October and April. The low diurnal and seasonal temperature range means an unusually even accumulation of warmth. Overall the climate is similar to that of Bordeaux in a dry vintage. Although the region produces just three percent of total Australian grape production, it produces over 20 percent of Australia's premium wine market. The principal grape varieties are fairly evenly split between red and white; Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, Shiraz, Merlot, Chenin blanc and Verdelho.
Western Australian wine refers to wine produced in Australia's largest state, Western Australia. Although the state extends across the western third of the continent, its wine regions are almost entirely situated in the cooler climate of its south-western tip. Western Australia produces less than 5% of the country's wine output, but in quality terms it is very much near the top - winning 30 percent of the countries' medals.
Cape Mentelle Vineyards is a wine estate in the Margaret River region, 274 km south-west of Perth, Western Australia. The winery was founded by David Hohnen, a third-generation farmer who studied wine making and viticulture in California in the 1960s, and his brothers Mark and Giles. Cape Mentelle is one of the ‘founding five’ wineries in Margaret River, was established in 1970, and came to prominence by winning the Jimmy Watson Memorial Trophy in both 1983 and 1984 for their Cabernet sauvignon.
Moss Wood is an Australian winery based at Wilyabrup, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. It is widely regarded as one of the best estates in the region.
Voyager Estate is an Australian winery located in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. James Halliday, "Australia’s leading wine writer" as described by Jancis Robinson MW, gives the winery his highest ranking, five red stars, in his "Halliday Australian Wine Companion" According to Ray Jordan, wine writer for The West Australian, the winery produces excellent wines.
Ashbrook Estate is an Australian winery based at Wilyabrup, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. The winery sells much of its output through the cellar door and to mailing list clientele. Its wines, and especially its white wines, have been highly praised by influential Australian wine writers Ray Jordan and James Halliday.
Devil's Lair is an Australian winery based at Forest Grove, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. It is named after the Devil's Lair cave, which is just across the Bussell Highway from the winery's vineyard.
Sandalford Wines is a privately owned Australian winery business based at Caversham, in the Swan Valley, the focal point of the Swan District wine region of Western Australia. Sandalford owns and operates wineries and vineyards both in Caversham and at Wilyabrup, in Western Australia's Margaret River wine region.
Frankland Estate is an Australian winery based at Frankland River, in the Frankland River wine region of Western Australia. It is particularly well known for its Riesling wines.
Alkoomi Wines is an Australian winery based at Frankland River, in the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia. It was founded in 1971 by Merv and Judy Lange, who have been described by Ray Jordan, wine writer for The West Australian, as "two of the great pioneers of the WA wine industry".
Capel Vale Wines is a privately owned Australian winery business based at Capel, in the Geographe wine region of Western Australia.
Woodlands Wines is an Australian winery at Wilyabrup, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. Established in 1973 by David and Heather Watson, it held its first vintage in 1978, and by the end of 1982 had won trophies at wine shows in Mount Barker, Perth and Canberra with its "Andrew" Cabernet Sauvignon 1981.
Woodside Valley Estate is a premium Australian wine business originally focused on a vineyard near Yallingup, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. Since 2012, the business and the vineyard have been separately owned.
Stella Bella Wines is an Australian winery based at Margaret River, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia.
Lenton Brae is an Australian winery at Wilyabrup, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia.
Driftwood Estate is an Australian winery at Wilyabrup, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. Established by Tom and Helen Galapoulos in 1989 on what had previously been a country retreat, the winery immediately received acclaim when its first wine, a semillon produced in 1993, won a special commendation in a British competition. In 2009, leading Australian wine writer James Halliday rated Driftwood Estate as one of the best wineries in the Margaret River region.
Wise Wine is an Australian winery at Eagle Bay, near Dunsborough, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia.
Salitage Wines is an Australian winery at Pemberton, in the Pemberton wine region of Western Australia. Established in 1989 by John and Jenny Horgan, it has been described by prominent Australian wine writer James Halliday as "... the showpiece of Pemberton."
Picardy is an Australian winery at Pemberton, in the Pemberton wine region of Western Australia. It was established in 1993 by Dr. Bill Pannell, his wife Sandra and their son Daniel; Bill and Sandra Pannell had previously founded the pioneering Moss Wood winery in the Margaret River wine region in 1969.
