Margaret River
Southwestern Australia, on the Indian Ocean, about three hours south of Perth.
Maritime Mediterranean; a long, dry, mild ripening season with ocean influence gives concentrated yet fresh wines.
Margaret River, on the extreme southwest tip of Australia, is a triumph of place over expectation. Despite its location at latitude 34°S, its maritime climate - resembling Bordeaux - produces Australia's most elegant Cabernet blends and some of the world's finest Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
The region's founding growers modelled their viticulture on Bordeaux in the late 1960s, and while it took decades to refine, Margaret River Cabernet and Chardonnay are now globally sought after.
It remains a small, beautiful region: population, wineries and prices all modest by world standards, which makes it one of the best places to buy truly great Australian wine.
Terroir & Soil
A mosaic of gravelly loams over granite; the region's founding growers chose it for its European-like conditions.
What to Expect from the Wines
- · Margaret River is Australia's Bordeaux-blend, Chardonnay and Sauvignon-Semillon powerhouse.
- · Its Cabernet blends are fragrant, structured and age-worthy - the most fine-boned reds in Australia.
- · Its Chardonnay is celebrated for purity and balance rather than oak and fat.
Remarkable Bottles from Margaret River
All wines →Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay
Margaret River · 2024 (representative vintage)
Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay is an white wine from Australia, in the Margaret River region (Southwestern Australia, on the Indian Ocean, about three hours south of Perth.), made principally from Chardonnay. Margaret River's flagship Chardonnay — frequently ranked among the world's greatest whites.
$90–$150 est. retail
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
Margaret River · 2024 (representative vintage)
Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon is an red wine from Australia, in the Margaret River region (Southwestern Australia, on the Indian Ocean, about three hours south of Perth.), made principally from Cabernet Sauvignon. a house-style Margaret River cabernet sauvignon that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
Margaret River Chardonnay
Margaret River · 2024 (representative vintage)
Margaret River Chardonnay is an white wine from Australia, in the Margaret River region (Southwestern Australia, on the Indian Ocean, about three hours south of Perth.), made principally from Chardonnay. a house-style Margaret River chardonnay that showcases the grape in this region.
$12–$28 est. retail
Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc
Margaret River · 2024 (representative vintage)
Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc is an white wine from Australia, in the Margaret River region (Southwestern Australia, on the Indian Ocean, about three hours south of Perth.), made principally from Sauvignon Blanc. a house-style Margaret River sauvignon blanc that showcases the grape in this region.
$12–$28 est. retail
Margaret River SĂ©millon
Margaret River · 2024 (representative vintage)
Margaret River Sémillon is an white wine from Australia, in the Margaret River region (Southwestern Australia, on the Indian Ocean, about three hours south of Perth.), made principally from Sémillon. a house-style Margaret River sémillon that showcases the grape in this region.
$12–$28 est. retail
Margaret River Merlot
Margaret River · 2024 (representative vintage)
Margaret River Merlot is an red wine from Australia, in the Margaret River region (Southwestern Australia, on the Indian Ocean, about three hours south of Perth.), made principally from Merlot. a house-style Margaret River merlot that showcases the grape in this region.
$14–$34 est. retail
Food Pairing
- · Margaret River Cabernet pairs with roast lamb, beef rib and hard cheese.
- · The region's Chardonnay is superb with chicken, lobster and creamy sauces.
- · Sauvignon-Semillon blends are wonderful seafood whites.
Buying from Margaret River
- › Cabernet blends are the region's pride; look for 'Cabernet Merlot' and single-site bottlings.
- › Chardonnay from Margaret River is world-class and often unoaked or lightly oaked.
- › Top producers include Cullen, Vasse Felix, Moss Wood, Leeuwin Estate and Cape Mentelle.