Margaret River Wine

Margaret River Wine – Great wines from Western Australia

1. Margaret River Wine – Background

Margaret River Wines are produced in southwest Western Australia and Margaret River is the major wine region in Western Australia. The region is made up predominantly of boutique size wine producers, although its winery operations range from the smallest crushing 3.5 tonne per year to the largest at around 7000 tonne. Its climate 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, and its output often resembles the excellent wines from the Bordeaux area in both style and quality.

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 almost evenly split between red and white. The main actual varietals are Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Shiraz, Merlot, Chenin Blanc, and Verdelho.

Margaret River offers world-class wine alongside unspoilt coastline, as well as stunning inland rivers, tall-timber forests and ancient underground caves, making it one of the most unique destinations on Earth. You can read more about it on the Australia.com website

2. The Beginnings of Margaret River Wine

The Margaret River region first saw settlement by Europeans as late as the 1830’s and evolved from a pioneer ‘outstation’ for forestry, dairy and alternative life stylers who enjoyed the unique coast and its surfing, to an area dedicated to the pursuit of great vines and fine wines.

Regarded as one of Australia’s best wine producing regions. It is synonymous with a new era in Australian wine. Margaret River really began its vineyard life as a result of two research reports from Californian viticulturalist Professor Harold Olmo and the Western Australian scientist Dr John Gladstone. In 1965 Dr Gladstone’s report indicated that the region had all the attributes to produce world quality wines. This advice was acted on by Dr Tom Cullity who set up his Vasse Felix vineyard near Willyabrup, followed by Dr Kevin Cullen and his wife Di who set up Cullen Wines. The climate is regarded as ‘cool’ because of its long slow ripening season. This region is regarded along with Coonawarra and the Yarra Valley as one of the premium Cabernet Sauvignon areas in Australia. The main wine styles are: Red – Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet-Merlot, Shiraz; and White: – Chardonnay, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho.

The planting at Vasse Felix by Tom Cullity in 1967 signaled the beginnings of a wine industry in the region. It was quickly followed by Moss Wood (1969), Cape Mentelle (1970), Cullen (1971), Sandalford (1972), Leeuwin Estate, Woodlands and Wrights (1973).

Margaret River has no official sub-regions, but it does have distinctions based on climate. In 1999, viticultural scientist Dr John Gladstones presented a paper suggesting there should be six subregions based on climate and soil differences: Yallingup, Carbunup, Wilyabrup, Treeton, Wallcliffe and Karridale.

You can read more about the history of the wine region at the Margaret River wines website

3. Margaret River – A grape-growing paradise.

Margaret River sits in the south-western corner of Australia, around 270 kilometres from Western Australia’s capital city of Perth. A long, narrow region, it is hugged by the Indian Ocean on the north and west, and Southern Ocean to the south. This stunning stretch of land is one of the most geographically isolated wine regions in the world, bestowed with ancient soils and a unique biodiversity: 80% of its plant species are found nowhere else in the world.

Its geography, soils and Mediterranean climate combine to create ideal grape-growing conditions – heavy winter rainfalls, cool sea breezes that give vibrancy to the fruit and a long, dry ripening season capable of ripening Cabernet Sauvignon right to the end of the season. The climate almost has a southern France feel about it.

• Latitude

Vines favour what can be described as ‘temperate’ climates, which mostly fall within distinct latitudes of 30˚ and 50˚ from the equator. Margaret River sits well within this range at 33°55’S

• Altitude

The altitude is low at 40–227 metres (131–744ft) above sea level.

• Climate

Mediterranean climate with strong maritime influences from having the ocean on three sides. It is the most marked maritime climate in terms of rainfall of any region in Australia, with an annual rainfall 1000mm+. High winter rainfall, a dry, warm summer and low risk of frost and hail provide excellent conditions for viticulture. Low diurnal temperature range leads to very even heat accumulation.

• Growing Season Rainfall

Growing season rainfall is calculated from October to April and is a good indication of how much water is available to the vine. Margaret River receives the majority of its rainfall during winter, with just 275mm (10.8in) falling during the growing season and 100mm (3.9in) during harvest period.

• Mean January Temperature

20.4 degrees (68.7°F) – Mean January temperature refers to the mean temperature of the warmest month.

• Heat Degree Days

Heat degree days is an indicator of the warmth of a climate during the vine-growing period.

4. Winemaking in Margaret River

Margaret River is one of the unique wine regions in the world that can grow vines on their own root system. The absence of the vine pest phylloxera has meant most vineyards have been grown from cuttings taken from high quality existing vineyards.  This has allowed for the selection and spread over time of very high-quality heritage clones of each variety.  These unique heritage clones have played a large role in creating the world class vineyards seen in the region today and distinctive Margaret River style of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Margaret River winemakers draw on the classic winemaking regions for technique and the local environment for inspiration.  Wines tend toward the elegant and refined, a reflection of the moderate Mediterranean climate with cool maritime influence and complex ancient soils.

The consistency between vintages and the ability to perfectly ripen fruit in most years means Margaret River winemakers can be relatively low intervention in the winery and let the quality of the grapes shine.

While most wines see oak barrel fermentation and/or maturation winemakers practise restraint when new oak barrels are used, these are always used in combination with seasoned oak to give complexity and depth while preserving the varietal character.

Hand harvesting and careful selection for high quality by hand sorting of grapes when they arrive at the winery is common throughout.  Natural fermentations using the indigenous vineyard yeast prevails and allows for distinctive expression of vineyard terroir.

Margaret River winemakers are close knit, with a plethora of tastings held throughout the year to share knowledge and experience.  The two flagship varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, both have an annual tasting, hosted by Vasse Felix, where hundreds of single vineyard barrel samples from a single vintage are tasted and discussed.

5. Organic and biodynamic wine

The Margaret River region’s pristine natural environment lends itself to minimal-intervention viticulture, and a growing number of vineyards are embracing organic and biodynamic practices and philosophies.

To identify the grape and wine producers in the Margaret River Wine Region who are certified as organic or biodynamic, or those in the process of gaining organic or biodynamic certification, see the Margaret River Organic Wine dedicated website 

6. Main varietals grown in Margaret River

• Cabernet Sauvignon

Margaret River is renowned for its excellent quality Cabernet Sauvignon.  The wines tend to be medium bodied, very perfumed and elegant in style, with powdery emery fine tannins and crisp acidity.  The wines are suited to long term cellaring. The Cabernet Sauvignon is renowned for perfumed flavours of cassis/blackcurrant, redcurrant, cedar, and bay leaf.

• Chardonnay

Margaret River produces world class Chardonnay.  The wines are concentrated yet refined, with a high degree of complexity from winemaking.  They have savoury complexity from natural fermentation in French oak barrels and layered textures from maturation on lees.

Many of the Chardonnay vineyards are based on the Heritage “Gin Gin” clone selection. This produces low crops of tiny bunches with “hen and chicken” berries.  These tiny berries provide intense fruit concentration and mineral acidity and produce a distinctive Margaret River style.

Some of the words used to describe these wines are mandarin, grapefruit, nectarine/white peach, gunflint, and nougat.

• Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blends

The Semillon Sauvignon Blanc blend from Margaret River is a distinctive French style white wine blend.  The wines are lively, fresh and fruit driven with many producers employing barrel fermentation for added complexity, weight and concentration. These wines are very well suited to matching with a variety of food, in particular the abundant seafood of this coastal region. Tastes are described as gooseberry, passionfruit, lime, and lemon curd.

• Shiraz

Margaret River’s second most planted red variety is Shiraz.  The wines tend to be a full-bodied style with perfumed, fruit driven aromas with ample forest fruits on the palate.  The wines are suited to medium term cellaring. This grape has the following characters –  mulberry, blackberries, plum, spice, and violets.

7. We work with a range of wineries from Margaret River

The Margaret River region in Western Australia is home to many wine producers. Our listings include wines from the following wineries:

• Vasse Felix: This winery is considered one of the pioneers of the Margaret River wine industry. It was one of the first to establish itself in the area and has a great selection of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines.You can see and buy our full range of Vasse Felix wines on our website
• Cullen Wines: This winery is known for its biodynamic and organic wines and is considered one of the most innovative producers in the Margaret River region. It was one of the first to be established in Margaret River. It ‘s processes are run in line with the phases of the moon. Great wines available here.
• Woodlands Wines: Known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Semillon wines, and is considered one of the most well-known producers in the region. Great full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are available on our site.
• Franklin Tate: Franklin Tate, as the second generation of the Tate family, continues to advance Margaret River winemaking. Current offers are detailed here
• Hamelin Bay: One of the most iconic vineyards in the Margaret River region, with stunning views over rolling hills, framed by majestic Karri trees. Assisted by the Margaret River maritime micro-climate, Hamelin Bay continues to strive for excellence in every vine. You can see our full range of Hamelin Bay wines by clicking here.
• Pitchfork: Pitchfork is a range from Margaret River wine producer Hay Shed Hill, which embodies friends, food, and lively conversation, unpretentious and contemporary. Great value for money wines made by the famous Hay Shed Hill winery. See our range online.
• Stella Bella: Stella Bella is rated amongst the best wineries in Australia and has set the benchmark for producing southern Margaret River wines. Today Stella Bella is a continuously evolving to create beautiful wines that captivate and create a memorable wine experience. Great wines available now.
• Xanadu: One of the region’s first vineyards established in 1977 by Dr John Lagan, and now one of the country’s most acclaimed wineries, Xanadu is a true reflection of its idyllic setting and poetic namesake. These wines will soon disappear from our listing, but you can pick them up now from our website.

These are just a few examples, Margaret River has many more wineries that make great wines, this list is not exhaustive. We are taking more of them on board on a regular basis.

These wineries produce a range of premium quality wines and offer tasting experiences and tours for visitors. The number of wineries in the Margaret River region continues to grow, and there are many other small and boutique wineries worth exploring as well.

Margaret River Wines – Great wines from Western Australia