Home to spectacular scenery and pristine wine regions, Western Australia has earned an international reputation as a producer of premium wines. In each of Western Australia’s nine wine regions, you’ll find unique wines and tourism experiences – from white-sand beaches and ancient forests, to bustling towns and delicious local produce.
Whether you’re planning a trip or you’re just keen to learn more, here’s a guide to exploring Western Australia’s wine regions.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S MOST POPULAR WINE REGIONS
Margaret River
By far the state’s most famous wine region, Margaret River is home to some of the best wines and produce in the world. It’s also one of the world’s most isolated wine regions, with plants and wildlife found nowhere else. It’s a three-hour drive south of Perth to this tourist hotspot where visitors sometimes outnumber locals – and for good reason. Expect stunning beaches, ancient forests and caves, and an abundance of local seafood. The region has a global reputation for its wines, particularly intensely flavoured Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and you can sample these in award-winning cellar doors.
Swan District
An easy 30-minute drive north of Perth, the sun-drenched Swan District is Western Australia’s oldest wine region, home to historic towns, friendly cellar doors and boutique breweries. It encompasses the renowned Swan Valley subregion, where you’ll find most wineries. Passionate producers craft an impressively diverse range of wines, from light, bright sparkling to rich fortified styles. This is also Australia’s Chenin Blanc capital, with more than 30 wineries putting their unique stamp on the grape, and a new wave of young winemakers experimenting with styles.
Perth Hills
To the east of the Swan District, on the fringe of Perth city, the Perth Hills wine region is a go-to destination thanks to its top wines and restaurants, hidden cellar doors, friendly towns and picturesque views. The first vines were planted in the 1880s, and today there’s a young and dynamic wine scene of creative winemakers and family-owned vineyards. Wines are packed with flavour and include Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon plus alternative varieties like Chenin Blanc and Tempranillo.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA’S EMERGING WINE REGIONS
Beyond the well-known wine hotspots, there are lesser-known and emerging regions just waiting to be discovered. These offer a glimpse of the exciting future of Western Australian wine, as well as some of the state’s best wineries and tourism experiences.
Great Southern
In the south-western corner of Australia, this vast wine region – it’s almost the size of Switzerland – stretches from dramatic coastal cliffs and turquoise water to national parks, mountain ranges and sprawling farms. It comprises five unique subregions: the three cooler inland areas of Mount Barker, Frankland River and Porongurup, and the coastal regions of Albany and Denmark. One of Australia’s top emerging wine regions, the Great Southern is fast building a reputation for its premium wines, especially Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.
Pemberton
Tucked into the south-west corner of Western Australia, on the edge of the Southern Ocean, the Pemberton wine region is like the land time forgot. Ancient Karri trees tower over everything, rivers and streams flow through the region and lush forests give way to small vineyards. This is also an exciting up-and-comer in Australian wine. Its cooler climate and pristine environment produces sparkling wines, vibrant whites and elegant reds. Visiting small towns and cellar doors, you’ll quickly get a sense of the region’s close-knit, welcoming wine community.
Geographe
Just north of Margaret River, the Geographe wine region runs from stunning coastline to inland bush and rolling hills. National parks and state forests are filled with centuries-old trees, and rivers snake through sunny hills and cool valleys. The seaside town of Bunbury is the major hub, home to restaurants, shopping and a relaxed pace of life. The region’s rich soils and varied landscape make it an oasis of fresh produce, and produce diverse, generously flavoured white and red wines, from Sauvignon Blanc to Sangiovese.
Blackwood Valley
Another exciting up-and-comer, Blackwood Valley is Western Australia’s newest wine region – and one of its most picturesque. Around three hours south of Perth, its gently rolling hills are carpeted with green and punctuated by quaint towns and towering trees. Family-run wineries, many with cellar doors, produce premium wines like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo. Along with Manjimup and Pemberton, Blackwood Valley is known as the food bowl of WA, producing everything from apples and cherries to truffles, dairy, lamb and beef.
Manjimup
The Manjimup wine region, home to a small but thriving community, sits on the banks of the Blackwood River, about three-and-a-half hours from Perth. Set slightly inland from the coast, its landscape is dominated by forests and national parks. The cooler climate and rich soils make this a gourmet food mecca, and some of Australia’s best truffles come from here. It’s also home to boutique producers crafting elegant yet full-flavoured wines, including Chardonnay, Verdelho and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Peel
In a state that’s world famous for its natural attractions, Peel stands out for its wealth of unspoilt beauty, stretching from white-sand beaches in the west to ancient forests and misty valleys inland. You’ll hit the top of the region within an hour’s drive south of Perth, and most wineries are conveniently close. Sip and snack your way along food and wine trails, sampling award-winning wines and local craft beer in down-to-earth cellar doors and breweries.
Want to learn more about Australian wine?
Download ‘Foundations of Australian wine’ to learn about Australia’s top wine regions and wine styles, along with the climate, soils and history that make Australia so unique.
