Brimming with extraordinary beaches, lush farmland, and magnificent forests, to say Western Australia’s South West has a lot going for it would be the understatement of the century. Located just three hours by car from Perth, the region is also home to a handful of the world’s finest wineries.
With so many magnificent vineyards and estates worthy of exploration, the hardest part is deciding where to go. That’s why we’ve done the hard yards and rounded up what we consider to be the best wineries in the South West — the crème de la crème, if you will. All you need to do is add them to your must-visit list!
Cherubino
Not even the snobbiest of wine snobs can turn their nose up at Cherubino’s bottles, or their impeccably classy cellar door for that matter. Framed by the poetic surroundings of the Cherubino vineyard and rose garden, the building’s charm nods to Tuscany and features an alfresco verandah and dining room, gorgeously enveloped with stone and wood. Often hailed as the best of the best in the South West, a wine tour through the region is not complete without a stop here. Just make sure you book in for a tasting so you don’t miss out.
Our pick of wines that must be tasted while there? The UOVO Cabernet Touriga. In the meantime, you can enjoy a taste at the stunning Cherubino City Cellar in Subiaco.
Vasse Felix
When it comes to the best wineries in the South West, you simply can’t look past Margaret River’s founding wine estate, Vasse Felix. The stunning cellar door, restaurant, and gallery fuses rustic charm with a dimly lit, modern edge — best enjoyed with one of the delightful vintage wines. Alternatively, curate your visit with a seated tasting at the cellar door, relax with wine and charcuterie in the Wine Lounge, or explore behind the scenes with one of the specialised tour experiences.
Singlefile Wines
Singlefile is a must-visit winery in the Great Southern wine region — the locals will tell you that much.
But since winning James Halliday’s Dark Horse Winery of the Year, the Denmark winery has garnered a loyal following all over the world. The cellar door offers seated tastings, so we recommend doing just that. Find a romantic table for two or plonk down at one of the outdoor benches and the crew will swing by to give you the rundown.
Singlefile is renowned for its chardonnay, but it would be rude not to try the entire range. If there’s something that tickles your fancy, order it by the glass and enjoy the complimentary cheese platter that accompanies it.
Leeuwin Estate
Born from a vision of producing wines that rank among the best of the world, Leeuwin Estate is renowned as one of the founding wineries of the world-class Margaret River region. The name is one of the most well-known with everyone from amateur wine enthusiasts to more seasoned oenophiles recognising the quality drops the winery produces — and yes, we can confirm, it lives up to the hype.
The estate celebrates all things food, wine, art, and music, featuring an award-winning restaurant, art gallery, and stunning cellar door. Our pick? The iconic Art Series Chardonnay which has earned its place as exceptional in the eyes of the prestigious Langton’s Classification of Australian wine.
Wills Domain
Perched atop 20 hectares of vine-lined rolling hills in Yallingup’s Gunyulgup Valley, Wills Domain is an impressive and refined vineyard, cellar door, and restaurant known for its extremely drinkable signature Cabernet Sauvignon.
The beloved South West establishment plates up sustainably sourced, wild-harvested produce, and is, without a doubt, one of the region’s best restaurants. Choose between a two, four, or seven-course degustation experience, with wines to match. There’s also a vegetarian option which tastes as good as it looks. To set the scene, we’re talking Geraldton crayfish, heirloom tomatoes and stracciatella, dry-aged Arkady lamb, and Wagin duck with beetroot and rhubarb.
Cullen Wines
Born from the ancient soils of Wilyabrup, Cullen Wines is another pioneer of the Margaret River wine region. The respected establishment does things differently as a fully biodynamic, carbon-neutral, and naturally powered estate. Not to mention the oh, so, beautiful granite and timber cellar door and restaurant that will have you mesmerised the moment you step inside. Go for a tasting and stay for lunch under the peppermint trees and overlooking the vineyards.
Glenarty Road
This regenerative farm, vineyard, and restaurant is well-known as being among the crème de la crème of the South West food and wine scene. Nestled on the working farm of owners Ben and Sasha McDonald, the Karridale winery-restaurant treads a line of contemporary class and rustic charm.
For a taste of the Glenarty goodness, book a Wild Wine and Farm Food experience. You’ll experience the Wildlings and Kinfolk collections through an in-depth comparative style tasting with a spread of freshly baked bread, housemade cheese, farm snacks, and charcuterie. Or for a truly indulgent experience, choose from a three or five-course sustainable farm-to-table feast with paired wines.
Juniper Estate
Sitting pretty among rolling hills and sweeping vineyards, Juniper Estate is one of the most picturesque spots in Wilyabrup.
First planted in 1973, it sits in the history books alongside Vasse Felix, Cape Mentelle, Cullen, Moss Wood, and Woodlands as one of the founding vineyards of the region. The range reflects an emphasis on the region’s most enduring varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay — while promoting originality and innovation through work with alternative varieties like Tempranillo and Fiano. Juniper was also one of ten Margaret River wineries to be placed in Halliday’s Wine Companion Top 100 Wineries 2023.
Woodlands
David and Heather Watson established Woodlands in 1973 within the Wilyabrup Valley. Since then, they’ve won a multitude of awards and now have an annual production of 12,000 cases. The winery’s premier wine — the Cabernet Sauvignon — is still made from the Watson’s original planting and continues to garner awards and critical acclaim, including its listing in the Langton’s Classification of Fine Wines. In 2016, the couple were also the joint recipients of the prestigious Jack Mann Memorial Medal which is awarded annually to those who’ve made a significant contribution to the WA wine industry.
Frankland Estate
Frankland Estate has emerged as one of the great vineyards of Australia. The second-generation winery is run by brother and sister duo Hunter and Elizabeth Smith, with Elizabeth’s husband Brian Kent at the winemaking helm since 2010. Every bottle that bears the Frankland name is organically grown on the aptly named Isolation Ridge vineyard in a process best described as light-touch. The winery hangs its hat on the limited-production Riesling and Syrah bottles, which are the result of the finest parcels of the oldest vines.
