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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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".
Zarephath Wines is an Australian winery based at East Porongurup, in the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia. The winery was founded in 1994 by a small Benedictine religious community, The Christ Circle. It was sold in 2013 to new owners Rosie Singer and Ian Barrett-Lennard. Zarephath Cafe opened at Easter 2015 serving local and seasonal produce Friday to Sunday. Zarephath continues to produce award-winning wine including pinot noir, chardonnay and riesling.
Capel Vale Wines is a privately owned Australian winery business based at Capel, in the Geographe wine region of Western Australia.
Stella Bella Wines is an Australian winery based at Margaret River, in the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia.
Lenton Brae Estate 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.
Millbrook Winery is an Australian winery at Jarrahdale, in the Perth Hills wine region of Western Australia. The winery was established in 1996 on the site of Chestnut Farm, a former orchard. Its founders and owners are Peter and Lee Fogarty, who also own several other wineries.
Smithbrook Wines is an Australian winery at Middlesex, in the Pemberton wine region of Western Australia. Established in 1988, it has been owned since 2009 by Peter and Lee Fogarty, who also own several other wineries.
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."
