Small on quantity, big on quality
Geographically the Margaret River Wine Region is one of the biggest in Australia, stretching 120km from north to south and 30km west to east.

Despite its size it produces just three percent of the nation’s grapes, but it is responsible for more than 20 per cent of the nation’s premium wines.

It is also one of the country’s newest wine districts, the first vines being planted in 1967 following a state government report into the suitability of the soils for viticulture.

The wines that flowed from those first vines received early acclaim and the clamour to be part of the Margaret River region began. By 1986 400ha of land had been planted to vines. In the following years the rate of planting increased and the region now has more than 2500ha under vines.

There are about 90 vineyards with cellardoor sales open to the public for tastings and over 110 grape producers.

The district boasts big estate vineyards like Leeuwin, Voyager, and Cape Mentelle, through to boutique family operated concerns.

The district is renowned for its chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon wines, but the selection does not stop there. Shiraz and merlot are other standout red varieties along with white varieties such as semillon, sauvignon blanc, chenin blanc and verdelho.

The first vines were planted in the Willyabrup area and this is still the most heavily planted. Vines are now grown the entire length and breadth of the region, with exciting plantings of experimental varieties such as viognier and sangiovese in new locations within the region.

The Margaret River Wine Region was officially registered in 1996. It is divided into six sub-regions that have not yet been officially registered, but they are generally accepted by the industry.

Climatic and geographical effects on the grapes and subsequently the wines are a topic of some debate and visitors to the district may find it interesting to draw their own conclusions.