Western Australia's wine regions lie mainly in the state's south-west and Great Southern land divisions. Margaret River and Great Southern are the two names most useful for getting started, though they offer very different conditions and wines.
Margaret River has wet winters, long dry summers and strong maritime influence. Its Cabernet Sauvignon is medium-bodied, perfumed and elegant, with fine tannins and balanced acidity. Chardonnay is concentrated yet refined, while the traditional Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend is crisp, fruit-driven and made for fresh drinking.
Great Southern is Western Australia's coolest wine region. Its five subregions span Mediterranean, maritime and continental conditions, with Riesling, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay among the principal varieties. Albany and Denmark are more maritime; Mount Barker, Porongurup and Frankland River are more continental. Great Southern Shiraz can show liquorice, pepper, black cherry and plum, often with balanced oak.
Inside the region
2 named areas
Each guide keeps its place within Western Australia clear, with a direct route back to the map.
- 01Great Southern1 producerGreat Southern is Western Australia's coolest wine region, spread across five subregions with maritime and continental influences. Riesling and Shiraz are good places to begin, alongside Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
- 02Margaret River3 producersMargaret River's oceans bring wet winters, dry summers and strong maritime influence. Begin with its Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, then try the crisp, fruit-driven Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc blend.
Producer profiles
Producer profiles
Open the full directory when you want every producer currently placed in Western Australia.
- Frankland EstateA remote organic estate in Frankland River, Western Australia, making cool-climate Riesling, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon with a light-touch cellar philosophy aimed at aromatic purity.
- Juniper EstateMargaret River producer with Wilyabrup and Karridale vineyards and Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines.
- Leeuwin EstateLeeuwin Estate is a Western Australian producer founded by Denis and Tricia Horgan in 1973, guided early by Robert Mondavi, with a first commercial vintage in 1979 and three generations of family stewardship.
- Woodlands WinesWatson family estate in Wilyabrup, founded in 1973 and built around Cabernet from two Margaret River vineyards.