The historic Margaret River is located in the south-west corner of Western Australia. Hemmed by water, Margaret River stretches across 100 kilometres and is famed for its Mediterranean maritime climate.
The region is home to some of Australia's most premium wines – while chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon are the heroes, a new wave of producers are experimenting with winemaking techniques and alternate varieties.
Margaret River offers visitors more than 90 cellar doors and over 200 vineyards, along with pristine beaches, outstanding surf, natural beauty and a vibrant food and art scene.
When planning your next trip, be sure to start with these five-star wineries. These six producers are celebrated for their highly rated wines, stunning cellar doors, and connection to their land. Add them to your list.
Voyager Estate
The Voyager Estate cellar door is a place for guests to discover the winery's history and taste organically farmed wines. Framed by beautiful gardens and green spaces, the wine room welcomes guests for seated and counter tastings. Those looking for a slower afternoon can enjoy a tasting by the glass or bottle, paired with a cheese board, outside in the sun or by the fire in the cooler months.In the awarded Voyager restaurant wine is the hero. Each dish is crafted to showcase the best wine and food matches through a four or seven course menu.
Chief winemaker Tim Shands says: Voyager Estate occupies a very special place in the Boodjidup Valley (just south of the Margaret River township). All of our wines are grown here and are organically farmed. The southerly location is a little cooler on average, particularly during summer, and experiences slightly higher rainfall. The site still boasts the well-drained red gravel loams that Margaret River is famous for. The combination of these factors produce wines of intensity, but always through an elegant and detailed lens.
Tim's must-try wine: Voyager Estate 2021 Chardonnay (and the chenin blanc).
Local favourite spot: Brewhouse, Pearl's Bar and great burgers from Normal Van at Dormilona on a Friday night. For the outdoorsy – Calgardup Cave, Yallingup lagoon, and Hamelin Bay for swimming and to see the sting rays.
Find out more | Stevens Road, Margaret River | (08) 9757 6354
Victory Point Wines
The Victory Point cellar door overlooks the stunning, sloping vineyard planted by the Berson family 25 years ago. Located five minutes from the Cowaramup township on a winding dirt road, Victory Point is tucked away from the crowds.The cellar door has been constructed from local timber milled on site at the vineyard. The intimate setting offers one of the best views in the region. Enjoy a tasting of the premium small-batch wines, many are exclusively available at the cellar door. Museum wines are poured for a redeemable fee and large-format bottles are also available for purchase.
Owner Judith Berson says: Our site was carefully selected for its sunny slopes, the complex Wilyabrup loams and the special terroir including altitude, humidity and geology. Fruit is sourced from blocks on either side of a valley. The elevations of vines range between 110–130 metres and produces the regions famous varietals of chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon as well as award-winning pinot noir, malbec, cabernet franc and petit verdot.
Judith's must-try wine: The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon; we call this Margaret River in a glass.
Local favourite spot: Local pubs Settlers Tavern and The River Hotel are great supporters of local producers and have extensive wine lists. Morrie’s, Miki’s, and Studio Bistro for modern meals. Glenarty Road for a farm feast.
Find out more | 92 Holben Road, Cowaramup | 0417 954 655
Howard Park
Howard Park's architecturally designed cellar door sits beautifully among the vines, and is positioned on the highest point of the Leston vineyard with sweeping views of the surrounding trees and vineyard. The award-winning structure was designed to create a modern building that will grow old – a concept synonymous with crafting ageworthy wines.Howard Park has vineyards in Margaret River and the Great Southern, so you'll experience the duality of WA’s premier wine regions in one tasting. Taste wines side by side, and experience how the terroir of each region is poetically captured in the glass. From casual tastings at the bar, and seated tasting flights to exclusive luxury tastings in the wine chapel, Howard Park has a tasting option for everyone. Not to be missed is the sparkling wine flight – taste all four of the sparkling methodé traditionnelle wines, as well as a French Champagne. Spend the afternoon on the lawn overlooking the Leston Vineyard with the hum of the working winery around you.
Cellar door manager Charlotte Dowden says: While our winery is located in Margaret River we are privileged to source grapes from both regions, and our winemakers revel in the chance to blend the best parcel of one block with the best of another to create complex wines with real depth and interest.
Charlotte's must-try wine: Our icon wine, the 2018 Howard Park Abercrombie Cabernet Sauvignon. It is sourced from the Leston and Abercrombie vineyards in Margaret River and the Great Southern respectfully and is drinking beautifully right now, but will cellar for years to come.
Local favourite spot: Head to Gracetown, it’s the perfect spot for surfing, before browsing the wine list at Settlers Tavern.
Find out more | 543 Miamup Road, Cowaramup | (08) 9756 5200
Fraser Gallop Estate
The team at the Fraser Gallop Estate cellar door go beyond terroir and technique to reveal the essence of Wilyabrup in a glass. Fraser Gallop offers a unique wines and vines experience. Guests are invited on an exploration of one of Margaret River's most discreet and awarded properties.Guests tour the estate’s immaculate vineyard and gardens in a solar powered EV buggy, while a specialist host guides you through an informative and interactive wine tasting of the award-winning Parterre range of wines at picturesque locations. Go behind the scenes of the winery, learn how Fraser Gallop wines are made, and taste the forthcoming vintage from a barrel.
Winemaker Clive Otto says: Our vineyard features undulating topography and gravelly laterite loams over clay subsoil, providing the ideal conditions to grow Bordeaux and Burgundy grape varieties. The unique location, geography and climate conditions combine to imbue the colour, flavours and aromas found in our wines.
Clive's must-try wine: The flagship Parterre cabernet sauvignon and the Parterre chardonnay.
Local favourite spot: The beaches are probably some of the best in the country. The towns offer a bustling mix of pubs, restaurants, cafes, boutiques, galleries and surf shops. It’s a thriving centre and home to artists, winemakers, craft distillers and a flourishing mountain bike scene.
Find out more | 493 Metricup Road, Wilyabrup | (08) 9755 7553
Cullen Wines
Cullen Wines is place to experience pure certified biodynamic and organic wine in one of the most beautiful settings. Guests can immerse themselves in the stunning natural surroundings, dine from the biodynamic garden and taste the wines from the land.Guest can choose between a number of unique tasting experiences. Take a seat at the counter to discover the latest releases. Cullen's biodynamic wine room tasting staff will take you on an intimate wine journey where you can learn and appreciate the beauty of biodynamics to its fullest. Or truly experience the history and essence of Cullen Wines with a seated tasting. The flagship vertical experience includes a one-on-one personal tasting tour. You'll be guided through three different vintages of each wine, highlighting the vintage conditions, winemaking and flavour profiles.
Winemaker Vanya Cullen says: Our wines are a pure reflection of the magnificent vineyards here at Cullen Wines. A direct and beautiful biodynamic line – from land to glass. Wines made with no additions and harvested around the planetary calendar, from soil so soft you can walk barefoot amongst the vines.
Vanya's must-try wine: The Kevin John Chardonnay and the Diana Madeline. Both are iconic Cullen wines, and are a true tribute to the founders of Cullen – Dr Kevin John and Diana Cullen.
Local favourite spot: Cowaramup Bay and beach is beautiful and such a special place.
Find out more | 4323 Caves Road, Wilyabrup | (08) 9755 5277
Clairault Streicker Wines
Located off the iconic Caves Road, the Clairault Streicker Cellar Door & Vineyard Kitchen begins with a long winding driveway through the native forest and farmland. Marri and Jarrah trees tower over the secluded venue, with sweeping views of the surrounding vineyards and luscious lawns.Sit down for a bespoke guided tasting or taste at your own pace with a sample flight. The Wine Blending Experience takes a look at the theory behind blending, before guests can measure, mix and bottle their own wine to take home. Find a private spot between the vines and indulge in a picnic basket with dishes prepared by the chef. Alternatively, dine in the Vineyard Kitchen – the menu is seasonal, modern, and made with ingredients sourced from local producers.
Viticulturist Chris Gillmore says: Margaret River is one of the most pristine and geographically secluded wine regions in the world. It is cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay country – two of my favourite varieties. Their complexity and power can largely be attributed to the ancient soils of the region. Margaret River soils are dated as some of the oldest in the world! The granite and gneiss rocks are dated between 1130–1600 million years old.
Chris' must-try wine: We are particularly proud of the fruit within our A 1 Block of Cabernet Sauvignon, these vines were first established in 1976, the fruit makes its way into our Clairault Estate Cabernet Sauvignon.
Local favourite spot: From Cape Leeuwin to Cape Naturaliste, there are a myriad of natural wonders, beaches, caves, forests and native trails waiting to be explored. The Boranup Forest is a must for first time visitors.
Find out more | 3277 Caves Road, Wilyabrup | (08) 9755 6225
