Raise a glass to the South West, wine lovers - you’ve officially come to the right place! Margaret River in the South West region is renowned on the global stage for its incredible selection of over 150 wineries spanning as far north as Cape Naturaliste and as far south as Leeuwin. What makes the region so special and particularly great for growing grapes is due to the fact that it is surrounded by ocean on three sides, meaning the region is quite isolated compared to other parts of the world. The climate is equally as ideal, welcoming salty ocean breezes, hot summers, wet winters, copious amounts of sunshine and some of the most ancient soil on Earth which lends to making each wine particularly unique in flavour. We know it can be overwhelming to decide which ones should make it onto your hit-list, so we’ve compiled a list 7 of the best wineries you must visit in the Margaret River Region so you can worry about planning less, and sipping sooner.
The beauty of choosing to stay at a True South Escape holiday home means you have all these incredible wineries at your fingertips, and of course with a designated driver, you can chip away at the long list of coveted vineyards across the region during your stay. Here are some of our favourite spots for a cheeky vino or two:
The vibe: family-friendly, lazy long lunches on the patio, estate-grown wines, great for groups
With fully estate-grown wines on a whopping 180 acre property boasting manicured gardens, Aravina is one of the region’s most expansive and breathtaking vineyards. Home to an inviting cellar door for tastings, outdoor dining often complemented by live music, a children's playground and uniquely Western Australia’s first-ever surf museum, the WA Surf Gallery, one could spend many hours exploring the magic of Aravina! With state of the art wine making facilities, the entire journey from grape to bottle is completed on-site, so you can look forward to trying Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay straight from the source.
The vibe: Japanese food, small cellar door, great date spot
After a busy day of tasting your way around the region, you’re surely going to work up an appetite. Like many wineries in the region, Fish Bone offers a complimentary wine tasting with every meal so you can taste their delicious Wilyabrup varieties before or after you dine on their funky Japanese menu with the best and most unique sushi in town. Hero-ing minimal intervention principles, the true properties of their Chardonnay, Vermentino, Sauvignon Blanc and Tempranillo wines take centre stage with every sip. What’s great about Fish Bone Wines are they have two different vineyard sites that deliver two completely different soil conditions, meaning the variety in flavour you’ll taste is apparent.
The vibe: glamorous, breathtaking views, Tuscany-esque tasting room, award-winning wine maker
Giving new meaning to family owned and operated, fourth-generation Western Australian Edwina Cherubino’s ancestors planted the very first vines on the property back in 1875. Led by award-winning wine making husband Larry who boasts an impressive amount of awards and accolades under his belt, Cherubino has become a popular choice for a pour or two in the South West. Their alfresco seating, delectable cheese boards and refined lunch menu make this the perfect place to graze and bask in the breathtaking views from the elegantly appointed tasting room.
The vibe: intimate cellar door, gins distilled on-site, small batch, minimal intervention
Getting sick of just tasting vino? Mix it up a bit at Wise Wines, where they also distill a selection of world-class gins on site. Positioned towards the north of the region in Eagle Bay, Wise Wines focuses on small batch, minimal-intervention wines as well as gins produced using traditional methods and of course their own wines and local rain-water. Wise is a great choice for those who might want to mix up their choice of tastings, or stop in for lunch at their ever-popular lunch restaurant with modern Australian cuisine at the heart of the menu.
The vibe: panoramic vineyard views, outdoor dining at its finest, multi-award winning wines
Park up on the alfresco deck and take in one of a kind views of the rolling hills of the Gunyulgup Valley as you make your way through the impressive tasting list at Wills Domain. As a James Halliday Five Star Winery, you know you’re in good hands as you enjoy wines that showcase the very best of the region. With over 60 hectares of vines making the most of the sun-drenched northern and western facing slopes in the Gunyulgup Valley in Yallingup, the winemakers have three collections of wine for every occasion: cuvée d'elevage, paladin hill and eightfold.
The vibe: rustic, paddock to plate, a must-try tasting menu, wild wines
While it’s a bit more of a drive out of the usual suspects in the region, we wouldn’t include Glenarty Road without good reason! Growing their own produce on the property and practicing regenerative farming techniques, Glenarty Road is an elegant yet relaxed destination for your next tasting. Five generations of family have put this winery on the map, earning it an impeccable reputation in the region and even offering unique experiences the whole family will love such as farm tours and most notably, an impressive paddock to plate tasting menu.
The vibe: intimate atmosphere, funky fusions, records playing, relaxed tastings
Sometimes, you just want a laid back place to do a tasting - and Skigh Wines is always at the top of our list for that! With some more modern blends including their ever-popular Pétillant Naturels and minimal intervention principles, the team is also what make this venue so special. Expect a record player with old school tunes, lots of laughs during your guided tasting and a beautiful intimate garden as you make your way through their small batch lineup of delicious drops.
With so many of the Margaret River region’s best wineries on our doorstep, it really is hard to narrow down a small list of favourites but hopefully this gets your bucket list into gear. And of course, consider True South Escapes as your go-to destination for the best holiday homes in the region for that next day of recovery best spent beside the pool!
