The Margaret River region is home to some of the world’s most beautiful examples of the Chardonnay variety with its perfect grape-growing climate and highly skilled winemakers. There is no better place in the world to delve into the beautiful world of Chardonnay than right here.
Whilst it accounts for more than half of Australia’s white wine production, Chardonnay hasn’t always been the most fashionable of wines. Throughout the 1980’s, Chardonnay fell prey to a trend of excess which led to a stream of flabby, oaky and buttery wines, leaving some wary of the variety.
Breathe a sigh of relief though – times and tastes have changed. Prepare your tastebuds as today Chardonnay reigns with style, elegance and finesse; particularly in Margaret River.
The Margaret River Region is expansive, so to help guide the way we’ve put together a Chardonnay Trail featuring some of the icons and the lesser-known names alike.
Make sure to toss the coin over who will be the designated driver before you start tasting, or let someone else take care of the transport for you.
Stop #1
Flametree Wines
Located at the northern gateway to the Margaret River wine region, Flametree’s Hamptons-inspired beachy cellar door is the perfect setting to taste their highly acclaimed and awarded SRS Wallcliffe Chardonnay. The 2022 vintage has taken trophies at Australia’s top wine shows and has been listed in the top 100 wines by James Halliday. Lovely lifted fruit with hints of delicate savoury notes from solids, giving this wine greater complexity and overall purity.
Stop #2
Windows Estate
A true labour of love, the story of Windows Estate is a testament to where passion and hard work can lead. Co-founder and Winemaker Chris Davies was recently shortlisted for Viticulturist of the Year at the Halliday Wine Companion Awards, so you know you’re in good hands. Releasing around 600 bottles per vintage, their Petit Lot Chardonnay variety has not received less than 95/100 from the Halliday Companion heralded for its pristine, pure line of acidity and detail.
Stop #3
Woodlands Wines
Located in the Wilyabrup Valley of Margaret River, Woodlands was one of the first vineyards planted in the area, and the Watson family continue to produce some of the finest wines in Western Australia. Of course you’re here to sample their Chardonnay, but it would be a crime to miss a sip of their iconic Cabernet Sauvignon too.
Stop #4
Pierro
Just down the road from Woodlands you’ll find Pierro, who very humbly boast a Chardonnay that exemplifies the terroir of the region. Since 1986, the Chardonnay style found at Pierro has been racking up accolades internationally. Wine Writer and Critic Jeremy Oliver says of their Chardonnay “Pierro is one of the few Australian wineries that could claim to have established a trend that many others have followed… they have crafted a chardonnay of not only monumental power but of simultaneously smooth and silky delivery”.
Stop #5
Vasse Felix
A little further down Caves Road lies the historical centre of Margaret River’s wine industry at Vasse Felix, the region’s founding estate established in 1967 by Dr Tom Cullity. Your visit comes with the opportunity to taste one of the region’s most coveted bottles. Their iconic Heytesbury Chardonnay is one of the most awarded Chardonnays in the world. Perched beside Margaret River’s oldest vineyard, the Estate offers wine tastings, an award-winning restaurant, art gallery, tours and more.
Stop #6
McHenry Hohnen
With three biodynamic vineyards located around the region, the McHenry Hohnen cellar door provides an education on how different growing conditions and regional terroirs affect the variety of award-winning Chardonnays they produce. See and touch the different soils that the vines grow in and taste the range from Hazel’s Vineyard, Burnside Vineyard and Calgardup Brook Vineyard. Everyone has a different favourite – which is yours?
Stop #7
Xanadu Estate
Moving slightly further south you will find Xanadu Estate, another option for that quintessential Margaret River lunch with a view of the vines. Every palate and price point is catered for across Xanadu’s Circa 77, Vinework, Stevens Road, Reserve and their namesake Xanadu range, so no matter how you take your Chardonnay there is something for everyone.
Stop #8
Leeuwin Estate
The last stop on your Chardonnay discovery but by no means least. Leeuwin Estate treat yourself to one of the most famous wines in Australia. Explore the opulence and age-worthiness of their Art Series Chardonnay with a Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Flight. Taste three carefully selected Museum Releases alongside their current release, Prelude Vineyards Chardonnay and new release 2020 Art Series Chardonnay during a 45-minute seated tutored tasting.
