Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Top 10 winery experiences in the Margaret River region
The Margaret River Wine Region is blessed with the perfect conditions for grape-growing – the world’s oldest soils, prime latitude and a mediterranean climate. The result: some of the world’s tastiest drops.
Although a relatively young wine region, what Margaret River lacks in age, it makes up in innovation, sustainability and experiential offerings. Next time you’re in wine country, you could do the usual cellar door hop, or you could try one of these fully immersive experiences guaranteed to leave a lasting impression on you and your guests.
Private Properties’ Top 10 Winery Experiences in the Margaret River Region
Vasse Felix’s Epicurean Tour
When it comes to experiencing the highlights of a wine region, often the best place to start is at the beginning. In the case of the Margaret River Wine Region, that’s Vasse Felix. Home to the oldest vineyard in Margaret River, this winery boasts a number of premium wine experiences made for wine connoisseurs. Our pick: their Epicurean Tour, which gives you a rare opportunity to go behind the scenes of one of the region’s founding viticulture establishments. Meander through Margaret River’s original Cabernet vines, watch winemakers create magic in the barrel hall, then complete the journey with a five-course tasting menu with matching Vasse Felix wines.
Vasse Felix, Wilyabrup
Unearthed
Another one of the region’s pioneering wineries, Voyager Estate has been paving the way for all things grapes, wine and farming since its founder Michael Wright planted its first grapevine back in the 1970s. In 2023, the winery celebrated a very special vintage; the first in which every grape grown in the estate was certified organic. During the Unearthed full-day experience, discover the ins and outs of certified organic farming as you walk through the winery’s vines, taste wine from the barrel and feast on a wine-paired seasonal lunch in Voyager’s private tasting room.
Art, Wine and Farm-To-Fork Indulgence
Leeuwin Estate has been practising “the art of fine wine” for the past five decades. This multi-generational, family-owned and run winery combines an award-winning restaurant, cellar door and art gallery into a hub for wine, art and food lovers alike. For first timers (or repeat visitors), we recommend indulging in the estate’s Art, Wine and Farm-To-Fork Indulgence, which kicks off with a tour of the Leeuwin Art Gallery, rolls into a guided tasting of five Leeuwin Estate wines and complementing West Australian delicacies, and finishes with a mouth-watering three-course lunch paired perfectly with Leeuwin’s Art Series drops.
Leeuwin Estate, Margaret River
A Biodynamic Wine Tasting
Cullen Wines has been at the forefront of biodynamic viticulture ever since its inception. Find out about, and taste, the winery’s sustainable wines during a Biodynamic Wine Tasting Experience At the Wannang (peppermint tree) Table – a beautiful peppermint tree table crafted from a 400-year-old redgum and the stump of a Wannang that inexplicably fell back in 2021. While listening to stories of country and wine, snack on a Biodynamic Tasting plate comprising native ingredients, then go and explore the winery’s Biodynamic Spiral Garden, which showcases biodynamic concepts and processes in real time.
Swing Off The Beaten Track
Seeking an authentic, off-road Margaret River experience, and wouldn’t mind some wine to go with it? Swings & Roundabouts’ Swing Off The Beaten Track is just the adventure for you! Jump on board Swings’ pimped out Land Rover Defender and drive through the winery’s vineyard, where you’ll stop for a wine tasting amongst the vines. Then, head to a secret, off-road coastal location for a gourmet picnic that’ll have your tastebuds tickled and itchy feet well-and-truly scratched.
Vino in the Vines
For a taste of the farm life, head on down to Glenarty Road in Karridale. This working farm has evolved from a simple sheep farm to a vineyard and farmhouse that offers beautiful food and farm experiences. During Glenarty’s Vino in the Vines, you can taste your way through 10 wines while foraging for ingredients to accompany your very own roaming, four-stage feast (think seasonal, farm-grown produce, house-made charcuterie and freshly baked bread). Delicious, to say the least.
Wines & Vines
Picture this: Undulating valleys lined with grape vines, the essence of Wilyabrup in your glass and Fraser Gallop Estate’s winemakers sharing the method behind their favourite drops. This Wines & Vines experience is for you if you’re seeking a laidback, intimate wine tasting that’s a dash more exciting than sipping drinks at a cellar door.
Fraser Gallop, Wilyabrup
Behind The Scenes
Cape Mentelle’s Wallcliffe Vineyard – 16 hectares of vines planted back in 1970 – is the setting for this pioneering winery’s Behind The Scenes tour, which takes you on a journey from grape to bottle. Learn about Cape Mentelle’s viticultural practices and influences, its history and the life cycle of a vine, before getting a detailed breakdown of how exactly this winery’s wine is made. Then, after walking through its 53-year-old vineyard, end up at Cape Mentelle’s original vat cellar for a tutored food and wine tasting.
Wind Blending Experience
Think you could be a winemaker? See if you’re cut out for the world of wine during Hay Shed Hill’s Wine Blending Experience. Your host will guide you through the process of blending 5 Bordeaux varieties into your very own cabernet blend, which you can sip and savour while soaking in Hay Shed Hill’s beautiful vineyard. Feeling peckish? Do pop into Rustico, right next door, and indulge in a tantalising 5-course degustation post-workshop.
An Immersive Tasting Experience
A Caves Road stalwart, Gralyn Estate has a long heritage producing premium wines. The winery’s original cellar door, which opened back in 1978, has recently been re-opened to guests who join owners Annette and Scott Baxter on their Immersive Tasting Experience. Step into the past for a grand tasting, and while you’re there, why not request a tasting of a particular vintage.
Ready for wine time? Book the perfect base for your grape escape here.
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