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 country's medals.
Cullen Wines is an Australian winery based in Wilyabrup, within the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia.
Plantagenet Wines is an Australian winery based at Mount Barker, in the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia. It includes Bouverie Vineyard in Denbarker, the first commercial vineyard to be planted in the region.
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 1983 and 1984 for their Cabernet sauvignon.
Voyager Estate is an Australian winery located in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. James Halliday 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.
Brookland Valley Estate is an Australian winery at Wilyabrup, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. Australian wine writer Ray Jordan has described its vineyard as one of Australia's showpieces; another writer, James Halliday, considers its Flutes Café to be one of the best winery restaurants in the region.
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.
Castle Rock Estate is an Australian winery based at Porongurup, in the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia and owned and operated by the Diletti family. According to prominent Australian wine writer James Halliday, it has an exceptionally beautifully sited and immaculately maintained vineyard, winery and cellar door sales area with sweeping vistas from the Porongurups.
Forest Hill Vineyard is an Australian winery business based in the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia. Its vineyard is west of Mount Barker, and its winery and cellar door are further south, at Denmark.
Capel Vale Wines is a privately owned Australian winery business based at Capel, in the Geographe wine region of Western Australia.
Gralyn Estate is an Australian winery at Wilyabrup, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. Established in 1975 on a beef-farming property, it is well known for high quality fortified wines, and also make premium dry reds, chardonnay and a selection of sweet wines. Gralyn Estate opened Margaret River’s first Cellar Door in 1978.
Pierro Margaret River Vineyards is an Australian winery at Wilyabrup, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. Established in 1979 on a scrubby, rocky and steeply sloping property, it has been described as having "one of the prettiest locations in an area that offers much, even at its most mundane."
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.
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.
Aravina Estate is an Australian winery at Yallingup, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. Established in 2010, it incorporates the winery facilities and vineyard previously owned and operated by Amberley Estate.
Wise Wine is an Australian winery at Eagle Bay, near Dunsborough, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia.
