subject: Top 4 Must Visit Vineyards In The Margaret River [print this page] The Margaret River region of Western Australia is fast becoming well known as an area of natural beauty as it is the location of some of Australia's premium wine producers. Many Margaret River hotels have sprung up over the last 10 years providing premium accommodation for visitors and are an ideal stepping off point for visiting the region's many wineries.
The area is renowned for producing premium quality wines which have proved attractive not only to Australian wine lovers but in international markets as well. The climate and natural beauty of the area is also attractive to visitors who flock to the region in their thousands every year.
Without pretending to produce a definitive list of wineries to visit, the following is a cross selection which will give you an idea of the breadth of production and styles available in this new winegrowing region of Western Australia.
Clairault Winery and Vineyard. This premier Vineyard is located about 20 km north of the Margaret River township, and is one of the oldest wine producers in the area having been established in 1976. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Merlot varieties are highly regarded as premium examples of the regions characteristics. The fruit has a unique quality which results in finely structured wines of great depth and character.
Xanadu Winery. Xanadu wines have become synonymous with Western Australia and since its original planting in 1977 the winery has gone on to produce many high-quality wines that have become highly sought after. Xanadu was a pioneer in the area so this winery is well worth a visit so you can sample the quintessential styles produced in the region.
Brookhampton Estate. A modern winery located just south of Donnybrook, the Brookhampton Estate is an excellent example of professionalism and commitment to the production of high-quality premium wines. They have also experimented in unusual styles such as the impressive red Tempranillo with great success and have recently won highly valued awards in competitions for producing the Great Australian Shiraz. As you may expect, the red wine varietals are the most highly regarded.
Barwick Wines. Located in three regions including Pemberton, Blackwood Valley and the Margaret River Valley, Barwick wines take advantage of the cool Mediterranean climate to produce selected varieties of mainly red wines including Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz and as well as some white wine varieties. Wines are produced in a 200 ha property and grapes are also supplied to other wineries in the region. The Barwick name is highly regarded and when you visit for a sampling you will understand why.
The emergence of the Margaret River region as a premier winegrowing region of Australia has only occurred over the last 30 years. Already, however, its mark as being felt in wine markets around the world as the complexity and fine structure of the wines produced place a stamp on the region as a premier wine producing area.
