Margaret River Wine Region

This Australian wine region is about 300 km south of Perth in Western Australia. It is justly world famous famous for the qualiyti of its Chardonnay and its Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

But there is more for the savvy visitor to this region ...

In more recent years a range of new varieties and styles have been made, with considerable success.

You will now find Italian varieites as well as the classic port varieties from the Iberian peninsula.

As the big, robust and highly tannic red wines characteristic of Rutherglen have become less popular a few wineries have begun making sparkling red wines. This style has not attracted universal approval, but it certainly has its enthusiasts.

Visitors to a vineyard in Margaret River. Photo from Margaret River Discovery Co

History of the Margaret River Region

The wine region is relatively new, even by Australian standards. The first plantings took place in the 1960’s.

Len Evans in his 1973 opus Australia and New Zealand Complete Book of Wine refers to trial plantings in the region and predicts

“It remains to be seen as to how successful these areas could become.”

We can safely say that the jury has decided in this case.

There are now well over one hundred wineries in the region. The best are achieving world recognition for the quality their Chardonnays and Cabernets.

Soon after the region was established Zinfandel and the old stalwarts of Western Australian white grapes - Chenin Blanc and Verdelho were comonly grown.

In more recent years Sangiovese, Tempranillo and other Mediterranean varieties have made their appearance.

Alternative varieties in the Margaret River region

Adinfern Malbec
Amato Vino Arinto, Bastardo, Carignan, Fiano, Graciano, Nebbiolo, Tempranillo, Tannat, Teroldego
Aravina Chenin blanc, Tempranillo, Vermentino
Arimia Petit verdot, Zinfandel
Arlewood Estate Nebbiolo
Blue Poles Vineyard Fiano, Tempranillo, Teroldego
Brookwood Estate Chenin blanc
Bunkers Tempranillo
Cape Grace Wines Cabernet franc, Chenin blanc, Malbec, Petit verdot
Cape Mentelle Marsanne, Roussanne, Sangiovese, Zinfandel
Carpe Diem Malbec, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Vermentino
Cedaro Estate Fragola, Gewurztraminer, Sangiovese
Celestial Bay Malbec, Petit verdot, Ruby Cabernet
Chalice Bridge Estate Savagnin
Churchview Estate Chenin blanc, Marsanne, Zinfandel
Credaro Family Estate Fragola
Cullen Wines Malbec, Petit verdot
Deep Woods Estate Nebbiolo
Della Fay Malbec, Nebbiolo, Petit verdot, Vermentino
Fermoy Estate Chenin blanc, Nebbiolo
Flying Fish Cove Barbera, Chenin blanc, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Vermentino
Forester Estate Alicante Bouschet, Fer, Malbec, Petit verdot
Gralyn Estate Pedro Ximenez
Green Valley Vineyard Chenin blanc
Happs Bastardo, Cabernet franc, Carignan, Chenin blanc, Cinsaut, Furmint, Gamay, Graciano, Marsanne, Muscadelle, Nebbiolo, Tinto Cao, Tempranillo, Vermentino
Hay Shed Hill Wines Cabernet franc, Malbec, Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
Higher Plane Fiano, Malbec, Tempranillo
Howling Wolf Wines Sangiovese
Island Brook Malbec, Tempranillo
Jarvis Estate Cabernet franc
Juniper Estate Fiano, Malbec, Tempranillo
Kneedeep Chenin blanc
Larry Cherubino Arneis, Counoise, Fiano, Gewurztraminer, Malbec, Mencia, Pinot blanc, Prosecco, Sauvignon gris, Tempranillo
Las Vino Chenin Blanc
Lenton Brae Pinot blanc
Marq Fiano, Gamay, Malbec, Tempranillo, Vermentino
Marri Wood Park Chenin blanc
McHenry Hohnen Marsanne, Malbec, Petit verdot, Roussanne, Tempranillo, Zinfandel
Mr Barval Fine Wines Nebbiolo
Night Harvest Alicante Bouschet
Peacetree Estate Tempranillo
Plan B Tempranillo
Redgate Cabernet franc, Chenin blanc
Settlers Ridge Chenin blanc, Malbec, Sangiovese
Stella Bella Moscato, Sangiovese, Tempranillo
Swooping Magpie Cabernet franc
Victory Point Wines Malbec, Petit verdot
Watershed Wines Sangiovese, Zinfandel
Wills Domain Vineyard Scheurebe
Wise Wine Fiano
Wombat Lodge Malbec, Petit verdot
Woody Nook Chenin blanc, Graciano, Tempranillo
Xanadu Graciano, Malbec

Want to learn More About Australian Wine regions?

De Long's Wine Map of Australia

Click on the images above and right to find out more about these resources

James Halliday's Wine Atlas of Australia

visiting the Margaret River region

The Margaret River region consists of an area of land bounded on three sides by the Indian Ocean and Southern Oceans.

It is about a hundred kilometres from north to south, and about thirty east-west. The major towns are Busselton in the north, Margaret River in the middle and Augusta in the south. . Much of the Indian Ocean frontage of the region is protected by National Parks.

As well as being a great wine region to tour there are plenty of other attractions in the area. There are ample opportunities for surfing, coastal and bush walking, forest drives, whale watching and other outdoor pursuits.

Two lighthouses define the region. In the north is the Cape Naturaliste Lighthouse overlooking Geographe Bay.

In the South is the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse marking the boundary between the Indian and Southern Oceans. Cape Leeuwin was named in honour of the Dutch ship Leeuwin which passed by in 1622.

There are many accommodation options in the region. These range from resorts, to motels cottages and camping grounds. Many vineyards have accommodation and dining facilities.

Use the box below to find the best deals on accommodation in the region