Western Australia Wine Zones – Click to Enlarge
Western Australia is relatively small when compared to other wine-producing states, contributing around 3% of the national crush, according to Wine Australia National Vintage Report 2023. The state’s regions are unique in terms of boundaries and have five wine zones, yet 3 of these zones do not contain any exclusive wine regions. These are West Australian South East Coastal, with zero hectares under planting as of 2018; Eastern Plains – Inland and North of Western Australia, with 2 hectares under-planting as of 2018; and Central Western Australia, with 47 hectares under planting as of 2018; and although Peel crosses into Central Western Australia zone for example, it is officially part of the Greater Perth Zone.
It is the Greater Perth zone where many visitors start their wine-tasting experience. The Swan District is just 25 minutes north of Perth, with many cellar doors a quick trip from the state capital. Travelling 30 minutes east of the CBD, Perth Hills makes for a perfect escape to enjoy spectacular scenery whilst treating yourself to various locally produced boutique wines. Moving further south, Peel offers a gateway to the southwest, and whilst most of its wineries are situated near the coast, the region extends out into Central Western Australia.
The zone that gives Western Australia its name in wines is almost certainly the Southwest Australia zone, home to one of the most visited wine regions, Margaret River. This region is more than worthy of a road trip. Discovering the cellar doors as you drive south and returning via the coast road, where you will find an abundance of beeches and small towns to explore on your way back to Perth, is a delight. Margaret River has become known for its classic Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon and its unique Sémillon/Sauvignon Blanc blends.
Geographe is another great example of mixing wine tasting with exploring beaches and towns. The region is under two hours from Perth, starting in the harvest town of Harvey and hugging the sweeping coastline of Geographe Bay from Bunbury and the Ferguson Valley to Busselton and Dunsborough.
To the south of Geographe lies the Blackwood Valley, boasting around 50 vineyards and covering an area of more than 450 hectares. The region specialises in Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Further south is the region of Manjimup, which enjoys an outstanding reputation for its valued food crops as well as its wine. Further along is Pemberton, surrounded by national parks and thick with forests. Pemberton is renowned for its high quality Chardonnay.
Last but by no means least is Great Southern, the second-largest producer in the state after Margaret River. The vast region contains five subregions: Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker, and Porongurup. The region is vast and diverse and provides an ideal environment for creating distinctive regional wines due to the regional climate, which ranges from coastal and maritime to inland continental.
Western Australia has to be on your travel plans, as it offers fabulous wines along with a backdrop of scenic beaches, national parks, forests, and city vibes.
Sandwiched between Geographe and Great Southern, Blackwood Valley’s rolling hills, valleys, forests, and orchards make it one of the most scenic wine trails in Western Australia
Geographe is one of Western Australia’s most captivating and diverse wine regions. Its close proximity, just two and a half hours south of Perth, makes the region ideal for short getaways.
In the Great Southern, cool-climate wines are carefully crafted against a striking backdrop of some of the world’s most diverse National Heritage landscapes.
Just 3 and a half hours from Perth, Manjimup is a young wine region focused on quality over quantity and it has quickly built a reputation for its elegant wines.
Probably the most widely recognised wine region in Western Australia, Margaret River offers a stunning backdrop to superb wineries, all just 3 hours drive south of Perth.
Starting as far north as Byford, the Peel wine region is just 45 minutes south of Perth, nestled between the wine regions of Perth Hills and Geographe.
Pemberton is 3 hours 45 south of Perth, around the timber town of the same name. The region is bordered by Manjimup and Blackwood Valley to the north and Great Southern to the East.
Just a short 30-minute drive East of Perth’s CBD, the Darling Range makes for the perfect escape to enjoy spectacular scenery whilst treating yourself to a variety of locally produced boutique wines.
The Swan District is just 25 minutes Northeast of Perth and is Western Australia’s oldest wine region. It was planted by English settlers soon after their arrival in 1829.
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