Margaret River wines to try

Over the years, the Margaret River wine region has developed a reputation for producing first-class chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. There's more to the region than just these two varieties, however, with spectacular beaches aplenty, gorgeous walking trails, and a diversity of wine varieties, with many winemakers venturing into new territory. 

If you're visiting, be sure to check out these four wineries – sampling their wines and spending a few hours at their cellar doors, taking tours of the vineyards and tucking into great feeds at their restaurants. These spots truly deserve a good chunk of your time as you explore the Margaret river wine region.   

Aravina Estate

Winemaker Ryan Aggiss says: Aravina Estate is located in the northern subregion of Yallingup in the Margaret River wine region. Sitting atop the Leeuwin Naturalist ridge at 145 metres above sea level, our undulating and multi-oriented macro-climate provides an exceptional site for producing wines of intrigue and distinction. Planted in 1986, the vines are deep rooted and low yielding.

H. What do you love about making wine in Margaret River?
RA. The diversity of soils and climates on such a small area create wines of great individuality and style. Also the diversity and character of the people; not just the winemakers, but the growers, the tourism workers and cellar door staff create a sense of excitement and a perpetual desire to excel and learn. The wines from Aravina reflect the site, the proximity to the ocean, and the purity of the natural environment.

H. What can guests expect from a visit to your cellar door?
RA. The Aravina Estate cellar door is open seven days from 11am. We offer guests a tasting of up to six wines from the extensive wine list, while overlooking the estate vineyard. Guests can also pre-book the exclusive Estate Tour, offering a behind the scenes tour of the winery and vineyard, before finishing with a guided wine tasting.

Favourite local spot: Two places – Otheries Beach (my favourite secluded surf spot and the place I married my wife), and Big Rock reserve (an amazing place with a real sense of the history of the Wardandi people and phenomenal views across the bay).

Wine to try

2022 Aravina Estate Single Vineyard Block 4 Chenin Blanc

Best enjoyed: Pair with chicken, seafood, or pasta with a creamy sauce. Serve slightly chilled in a chardonnay-style glass for greatest enjoyment. 

RRP $33 | Drink to 2029 | aravinaestate.com | Shop this wine

Cullen Wines

Managing director and chief winemaker Vanya Cullen OAM says: Cullen Wines was founded in 1971 by Dr Kevin Cullen AM and Diana Cullen AM and family owned for over 50 years. Since the beginning, the vines were always maintained with minimal chemical input, they were dry farmed, with all pruning and harvesting done by hand. Today, under my guidance, Cullen is celebrating being certified Biodynamic for 20 years and certified carbon neutral for 19 years. The philosophy of Cullen Wines is quality, sustainability and integrity, to search for the best quality expression of the vineyard in our wine. The maritime climate, rocky soils, dry farming and biodynamic practices all help to create individual and diverse wine styles which are unique to Cullen. 

What guests can expect from a visit to Cullen Wines' cellar door
Cullen Wines offers a diverse selection of tasting experiences, each designed to offer you a unique window into our biodynamic viticulture and winemaking, the unique terroir of Wilyabrup and the impact this has on the expression and quality of our wines. We always welcome you in at our counter for a standard tasting, where you can explore a range of our wines, including our Flagship Diana Madeline and Kevin John, plus our Malbec and Sauvignon Semillon blends.

For Private Seated tastings, options vary, and include our Flagship and Intimate Tastings, where a host will guide you through a detailed selection of our wines. In these tastings we’ll explore the history of our vineyard, winemaking and viticulture practices. Other tastings include our unique “Wine in Honey” tasting, which is a sensory tasting that tells the story of the Cullen bees, their honey and wax and how these are interwoven into the biodynamic wines we produce. Enjoy tasting four wines that share a special bond with our bees, as they share their journey from the pollen from the flowering cover crops to our beeswax lined amphora we use for our ferments. 

Other must-try wine experiences at the Cullen Wines winery
Firstly, there is our Spiral Garden Tour and Tasting, where guests can enjoy a private 20-minute guided walk through our Biodynamic Spiral Garden, followed by a private seated wine tasting under the 'Wannang' Storytelling Peppermint Tree. This rare experience offers a unique blend of nature, heritage, and exceptional wines. There is also our much-loved Immersion Experience. This begins with a guided stroll through our biodynamic gardens, followed by an exclusive tasting hosted by our winemaker. Savour a curated selection of both current and vintage releases before indulging in a five-course degustation lunch, perfectly paired with Cullen’s Ancestral wines. 

You can also dine at our Two Chef-Hatted restaurant – enjoying a four course set menu paired with biodynamic wines – and spend a few nights at our homestead located across the road from our cellar door and restaurant. Surrounded by serene countryside, this inviting holiday home promises a peaceful and rejuvenating stay in the heart of the Margaret River region 

Wine to try: 2023 Diana Madeline Bordeaux Blend 

RRP $160 | Drink to 2045 | cullenwines.com.au | Shop this wine 

Flowstone

Winemaker Vanessa Carson says: Lenton Brae was established in 1982 on a small but unique property in Wilyabrup. The vineyard is slightly undulating, encapsulating both easterly, flat and southerly aspects. Combined with the Forest Grove gravelly soils this results in a low-moderate yield of high-quality grapes, with the cooler aspects helping maintain the flavour and acidity of the grapes. Lenton Brae has just undergone an extensive renovation, so people visiting can expect a relaxed and inviting atmosphere when they arrive. With extensive lawns to sip wine on, you can make your own platter with produce from the region and enjoy a glass or two!

H. What do you love about making wine in Margaret River?
VC. We are lucky to be established in the Wilyabrup subregion of Margaret River. This sub-region is celebrated for its soils and its reliable and consistent climate. The viticultural approach to disease management is very much influenced by our proximity to the ocean, allowing us to have delightfully clean vineyards with low disease pressure. Aside from the viticultural aspect of the region, there is also a strong sense of community as the winemaking and viticultural community work together as a whole. It's definitely a highlight to taste together and then have a beer afterwards. 

H. How do you approach the winemaking process?
VC. Our approach to winemaking is majority reactive, with a lesser proportion being proactive. By that we mean we need to encourage the flavours in the vineyard to shine and not be dominated by any external winemaking artefact or technique. We like to see our wines (in particular the semillon) exhibit flavour, weight, be well balanced with its acid and show a little texture. The decision to pick is based on flavour, processing in the cool of night to retain as much flavour and freshness as possible is required. Free-run is kept separate and only used in our Wilyabrup semillon. A very small portion is sent to a French oak puncheon with the majority fermented in stainless steel. We keep the wine on lees for 10 months to encourage texture on the palate, before blending and bottling. Balance is so important in all our wines and that is what we strive for each variety and wine style.

Favourite local spot: We are suckers for the natural beauty of this region. In the summer, snorkelling at the natural Aquarium in Yallingup is a must, and in winter a drive through the Boranup Forest in the south. It's a truly beautiful region.

Wine to try 

Lenton Brae

Winemaker Vanessa Carson says: At Lenton Brae, we’re all about creating interesting, expressive varietals for curious wine lovers. Our wines embody a harmonious essence, reflecting a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Always evolving, our collection proudly showcases Margaret River classics – bright chardonnays and timeless cabernet sauvignons with vintages dating back to 1987, alongside the eagerly awaited 37th vintage of our sought-after semillon sauvignon blanc. Expanding beyond our roots in Wilyabrup, Lenton Brae winemakers source fruit from growers in Margaret River and beyond, enhancing our production of premium, small-batch wines. Notably, we stand as the exclusive producers of pinot blanc in Western Australia, a versatile wine originating in the renowned vineyards of Alsace in France.   

What guests can expect from a visit to Lenton Brae's cellar door

We are a family business, and we love introducing new people to our wines and embracing our long-standing members with open arms. At our cellar door, we offer a range of unique tasting experiences. Curate your own tasting at the bench or enjoy a seated wine flight. With more than 15 wines available for tasting, we have a suitable style for everyone, from wine newcomers to seasoned connoisseurs.

We offer a welcoming, easy-going space to share our knowledge, our wines and our story. Our wines are premium but still approachable, familiar but not simple or pedestrian. We understand that everyone has different tastes and opinions - we’re simply passionate about great wines. Moreover, as one of the founding wineries, Lenton Brae a must-try in the Margaret River region.

Other must-try wine experiences at the Lenton Brae winery
Lenton Brae is perfect for the young and the young at heart. Kick back with your favourite people, play lawn games and let the kids roam. Sample local produce from our on-site deli while sipping world-class wines with an incredible view across the vines and natural/manmade dam. 

Our relaxing venue is ideal for a big family gathering under our market umbrellas in summer or for a cosy wine by the fire on a cold winter’s day. Throughout the year, we also invite our local community and visitors to join us for special events, live music, pottery workshops, paint and sip sessions and more. There's always something exciting going on right here at our Margaret River winery.

Wine to try: 2022 Lenton Brae Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Petit Verdot 

RRP $80 | Drink to 2037 | lentonbrae.com | Shop this wine