| To many, Margaret River is the jewel
in the Western Australian crown. A relative newcomer
to the Australian wine industry, Margaret River not
only combines all the best qualities for viticulture
but is also downright beautiful! There aren’t many
places that combine ocean breezes, long white
beaches, terrific surf, rolling hills and perfect
terroir for grape growing.
Located 290kms south of Perth on a large,
rectangular peninsula jutting into the Indian Ocean,
Margaret River stretches over 95kms from Busselton
on Geographe Bay to Karridale in the south. It is
surrounded by water on three sides with the eastern
boundary, known as the Gladstone Line, 27kms from
the coast. All these things make the region a wine
traveller’s paradise.
To the north is the region of Geographe with its
shores overlooking Geographe Bay. Vineyards were
first planted here in 1973 by Dr Barry Killerby and
today the largest producer is Capel Vale.
The Margaret River’s vineyards were first planted
in the early seventies by producers such as Leeuwin
Estate, Cape Mentelle & Cullen. It was from these
early pioneers that the “classic dry white” was born
– a blend usually of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc –
though many producers now incorporate Verdelho and
Chardonnay to their blends, giving the wines greater
depth and complexity. These blends have become
synonymous with the West and it’s here that it works
better than any other region.
Cabernet Sauvignon is probably the most
successful red variety and, to many producers, makes
their icon wines. The blends however, especially
Merlot, have proven to produce some terrific wines
for both early drinking and medium term cellaring.
Margaret River’s ability to produce such a range of
varieties of such good quality has created some
wonderful blends.
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