Degustations, wine and cheese flights, and tastings by the fire.
Wood fires. Clear nights. Cold mornings.
Winter is a series of environmental signposts that lead directly to the trailhead of sensory indulgence. As the barometer drops, so does the idea of restraint. In any case, puritanism has no place during these Margaret River Region winter wine experiences, but make sure to book ahead.
A holistic approach to growing combines with a dedication to sustainable practice at Domaine Naturaliste, where Bruce Dukes joins the region’s winemakers in the chase for balance between palate, fragrance and texture. At the cellar door, settle in for a wine flight, including premium range wines, explained to you by the knowledgeable cellar door team.
Pairing it up with a range of local and imported cheeses and cured meats is a way to add dimension to the glass. Wine is for drinking with food, and the experience of casual bites teamed with stellar wines is at the heart of the Margaret River Region winter wine experience.
Sophistication, ease, and a drinkable insight into the terroir of this place.
It’s winter wine tasting with a farmyard twist at Glenarty Road. Fifth-generation farmer, Ben McDonald, runs Glenarty Road with winemaker and wife, Sasha Foley, and a tight-knit team of dedicated staff who believe a true paddock-to-plate philosophy is worth working for.
Taste their range of handcrafted wines in the renovated shed built by Ben’s grandfather before taking off on a Forage On The Farm tour that will lead you through the vines, macadamias and hop gardens to tasting platforms where the vineyard’s Ground to Glass philosophy has the spotlight shone upon it.
Along the way there will be plenty of insights into the McDonald’s dedicated approach to land care, sustainable growing and ethical husbandry. Oh, and not forgetting a chance to experience an intimate taste of the Glenarty glass.
As one of the Margaret River Region’s smaller-scale, family-owned wineries, Windows Estate knows how to create an atmosphere of intimate welcome.
Consider booking an in-depth, hour-long vineyard tour and tasting, that takes in the driving philosophies that shape these wines. Be guided by owners Chris or Jo Davies, and learn about what they feel is the most important part of the winemaking process – the countless hours of vineyard work that Chris has invested in the last 20 years.
Chris and Jo also understand the importance of flavour profiles, and food and wine matching, which means a board of cheese has been well-thought to flatter (and be flattered) by what the Windows cellar door team pour into your waiting glass.
Winter is the perfect time to retreat into the sanctuary of Voyager Estate. The Estate Tour will take you behind the scenes to discover the alchemy of their organically farmed wines, exploring the vineyard and winery before settling in for a tasting in the cellar door.
Finish the experience with a glass of wine and cheese board in the beautiful wine room, or get cosy in the sumptuous dining room and experience Voyager’s food first hand in a seasonal menu inspired by the estate’s hand-crafted wines. The restaurants wine-first philosophy gives guests the opportunity to taste seven dishes inspired by seven unique vintages.
Wines here are elegant, delicious, and very grown up – ideal inspiration for food that blends the artistry of fine dining technique with philosophies of seasonal, local and delectable.
Creativity and ideas of artistry are interwoven into the fabric of Margaret River Region winemaking. Evans & Tate take it one step further with an art studio and gallery that invites guests to meet the makers. It’s a lovely appendage to a winter experience of fireside tastings.
Planted in 1974 in Wilyabrup, Evans & Tate has a long pedigree, not least of all the 1999 trophy for Best Red Wine at the Annual International Wine Challenge in London for the vineyard’s Margaret River Shiraz. Fast forward two decades and the awards have continued to pile up.
But equal to the awards is the place – a simply elegant cellar door with views over some of the region’s oldest vines. Not a bad way to spend a winter’s afternoon.
Howard Park is well known for its elegant wines. Maybe this winter is the time to get to know the luxury of the Howard Park Wine Chapel. Built in 2014, this is an exclusive address where private wine and dining experiences are booked only via appointment.
Architecturally designed, the Chapel takes its cues from the elemental beauty of the Margaret River Region – completed in recycled oak, off-form concrete, naturally weathered cypress and chandeliers that take their form courtesy of 45-year-old vines cut from Howard Park’s oldest vineyard. The view is of the Wilyabrup Valley, and the experience is all yours.
With the number of events annually limited, this is a winter experience worth cosying up to.
Bettenay Wines is part of Bettenay’s Margaret River, a one-of-a-kind estate experience with something for everyone to enjoy. The Bettenays produce decadent, creamy nougat as well as a selection of premium wines, have a number of luxury accommodation options on their stunning vineyard property, and of course, provide amazing tasting experiences.
Try the popular Nougat and Wine tasting experience, where you’ll taste five nougat flavours matched with wines and liqueurs from the estate. Then enjoy a glass of your favourite wine, liqueur or coffee, or why not even try a coffee with a shot of liqueur afterwards?
Another great way to embrace the winter months at Bettenay’s is to rug up and sit by their cosy campfire (weather permitting). Book in the whole friend group for a guided tasting of 4 premium estate wines plus 2 nougat inspired liqueurs. Once the tasting is complete, pick the favourite wine to have with some of the damper that has been cooking on the campfire with a selection of dips. Finish the tour by grabbing a stick and toasting some of nougat on the fire, it doesn’t get much cosier than this.
With the cellar door first opening in 1978, a visit to Gralyn Estate is an immersion in the regions wine-making history. The in-depth tasting experience is led by owners Annette and Scott Baxter, who take small groups through their vineyard and winery before concluding with a tasting in their original cellar door.
The experience is rounded out with meticulously selected food matches for the premium wines, including a vertical tasting of their Cabernet Sauvignon. Requested vintages are available (subject to availability), and what could be more special than a bottle of Margaret River’s finest from a significant year in your life.
Wines tasted are then sealed and re-corked to be taken home and enjoyed at your leisure.
The full day tour with Forage Safaris includes one of winter’s finest indulgences – truffles! Forage for this local delicacy and meet the farmers to get an insight as to how the regions incredible produce is created.
Full day tours are a highly immersive experience, and a highlight is the gourmet picnic featuring delectable treats from the farms, orchards and vineyards that are visited. Itineraries change with the seasons and could include cosy fireside tastings and walks with a winemaker.
There is also half day and evening tours available.
