In 2004 Sam Castelli purchased land and a partially finished winery building on what is now the Castelli Estate, with the intention of using it as a family holiday home.  After finishing the winery building, Sam decided to continue what the previous owners had started and turned it into an operating winery after all. So began a bright and star-studded journey. 

Sam Castelli didn’t stop the construction at a winery. The estate now boasts a cellar door which is open Wednesday to Monday, 11am to 4 pm, and an authentic Italian restaurant which is open Wednesday to Monday 12 pm to 3:30 pm for lunch and  Fridays and Saturdays 6pm to 9:30pm for dinner.  And also the newly renovated accomodation just next to the restaurant, with five Deluxe king size en-suites and expansive views over Mt Lindsay, the vineyards, and the green rolling hills and Karri trees so typical of the Denmark countryside.

The Wines
The wines are made by local winemaker Mike Garland and are consistently awarded high scores from national wine press, and enjoy medals and trophies at wine shows around Australia.

Five ranges of wine are sourced exclusively from the Home Block vineyard in Denmark, and vineyards in Mt Barker, Pemberton, The Porongurups and Frankland River.

Wines available to try and purchase include riesling, sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, pinot noir, shiraz, cabernet, grenache, a sparkling and a dessert wine.  The winery also makes a selection of alternate varietal wines, including an orange chardonnay and an iced viognier.

Wine Tasting
Cellar door in Denmark on Mt Shadforth drive, or the newly built (2018) ‘urban cellar door’ in Myaree.

Unique Highlights
Winery, cellar door, restaurant and lodge on the property.

Halliday Rating
5 Red Stars

Forest Hill has an interesting pioneer history and was once owned by the Holmes a Court family of Vasse Felix in Margaret River. In 1996 the vineyards were bought by the Lyons family, the current owners and old farming family from the Great Southern. The winery and cellar door were established in 2004 and the fine-dining restaurant, Pepper and Salt, is a popular wedding destination and from its elevated position has commanding views of the valley and estate vineyards.

The Wines:

The vineyard at Forest Hill winery was the site of the first grape plantings in the Great Southern in 1965, making it one of the oldest operating wineries in Western Australia.  The first vintage, a cabernet and a riesling, was released in 1972.  The cabernet was made by Jack Mann at Houghton Winery in the Swan Valley and the riesling by his son Dorham, at Sandalford.   

Today the wines are made by Guy Lyons and Liam Carmody.  There are 14 wines made at Forest Hill which include riesling, sauvignon blanc, gewurtztraminer, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, shiraz and Malbec.

The Block Series wines are sourced from old dry-grown vineyards, and the riesling is often the recipient of medals and trophies at wineshows around the country.

Wine Tasting:

Positioned beneath the Pepper and Salt restaurant, and built into a stone cellar, the cellar door is open Thursday through Sunday 10.30am - 5pm. 

Unique Highlights:

Picturesque setting, dramatic backdrop of Karri trees, fine dining restaurant, exceptional cool-climate wines.

Halliday Rating:

5 Red Stars

Established in 2000 by the Hillier family, the estate is a single vineyard producer that also operates a microbrewery and accommodation from its premises. Situated 5km north of Collie, on the eastern border of the Geographe Wine Region, this prime location provides ironstone gravel soils and a cool altitude to enable production of premium wines with finesse and flavour.

The Wines

Harris River produce Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Merlot, Shiraz, Verdelho and Chardonnay. They also have the unique offer of purchasing wine in a keg, perfect for events or who like to keep their environment footprint minimal.

Cellar Door & Restaurant

Complimentary wine and beer tastings can be enjoyed alongside a tasty, seasonal tapas grazing menu. Open Wednesday to Sunday 12pm - 3:30pm. The restaurant is open for light, healthy breakfasts and tapas lunches from Friday to Sunday, 10am - 4pm. Visitors can dine alfresco on the verandah, have a picnic on the lawn, or sit inside the restaurant beside a cosy log fire.

With a trophy cabinet of over 50 national and international awards, this Margaret River winemaking pioneer has come quite some way since its establishment in 1977. Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon blends and Shiraz are the focus, with winemaking and viticulture headed by Mark Warren, and select wines made by local legends Clive Otto and Bruce Dukes.

Cellar Door

Complimentary tastings of the wine range are available daily 10am – 5pm. Wines are also available by the glass to enjoy on the verandah and make the most of the vineyard’s serenity. Palmer Wines Cellar Door is located nearby Dunsborough.

The Food

Open for lunch daily, the Palmer Wines Restaurant is known for its modern Asian cuisine, served in their eye-catching, Tuscan style restaurant. As critic of The West Australian, Rob Broadfield says, “if you like Apple Daily or, further afield, Chin Chin or Longrain, you’ll love Palmer.” Chef Ross Tyre selects WA grown produce to create his menu of share plate dining. 

Halliday Rating 

5 Red Stars

Established in 2000 and purchased in 2010 by Bob and Marilyn Fowler, Willoughby Park makes a range of dry grown single vineyard wines. The wines are made from the best hand-picked premium fruit from the estate-owned vineyards (and one vineyard partner in the Porongurups). They are made with natural yeast, first class French oak and open fermenters.

The Willoughby Park, Ironrock, Kalgan River and Jamie & Charli ranges feature varieties of Chardonnay, Cabernet Merlot, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rose, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon and Merlot.

Cellar Door

Overlooking the picturesque Willoughby Park vineyard and beside its Boston Brewery and Restaurant, Willoughby Park’s charming cellar door provides a relaxed, friendly atmosphere to enjoy a selection of wines for tasting. Open daily from 11am - 5pm.

The Food

Open for lunch and dinner each day, the restaurant serves an original, gastro-pub style menu with small share plates through to meals and woodfired pizzas for the whole family. Head Chef Damian Gates sources the freshest local produce to compliment complements the range of Willoughby wines and Boston brews. Open Sunday to Thursday 10am - 9pm and Friday to Saturday 10am - 10pm.

Halliday Rating

5 Red Stars

Unique Highlights

The estate also features the Boston Brewing Co, a family-run business utilising an 18-hectolitre system to produce a range of bright, smooth ales.

Bordered by the breathtaking Porongurup Ranges and the historic St Werburgh's Chapel, John and Jan Fletcher’s friendly winery and cafe grows a range of regional, dry to sweet table wines. The varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Rose and sweet and dry Chardonnays. Visitors are welcome to wander in the estate's garden, view the old farm implements and discover the range of unique gifts and artisan offerings at the cosy cellar door.

Cellar Door

The cellar door is homely and sweet, offering wine tastings or wines by the glass or bottle to be enjoyed within the  stunning grounds.

The Food

There’s also a cosy cafe overlooking beautiful established gardens, vines and the rolling hills of Mount Barker. The menu features gluten free gourmet lunches, sweet treats and delicious coffees alongside tipples of premium Windrush wines on the deck, gazebo or spacious grass areas. Open Friday to Sunday and Monday public holidays from 10am - 4pm.

Wise Wine was established by Ron and Sandra Wise in 1992 in a truly iconic setting, surrounded by vineyard and the natural bushland of Meelup Regional Park looking out to the pristine blue waters of Geographe Bay. The property’s two restaurants and expansive wine tasting list make for a spectacular experience with a vista to be remembered forever!

The Wine
The wine range aims to suit all taste preferences and budgets, offering 20 quality sparkling, white, red, dessert and fortified wines. The winemaking philosophy includes sourcing parcels of the highest quality fruit from top vineyards in the WA regions that are most-suited to grow each grape variety.

Celebrated winemaking consultant, Larry Cherubino, has overseen activities at the winery for many years. His stewardship has seen the quality of Wise Wines become some of the most awarded in the region, winning Gold medals at many Australian Wine Shows.

The Food
Wise Vineyard Restaurant is one of the best known restaurants in the region, where you can enjoy a stunning meal with ocean views. The menu features contemporary cuisine which changes regularly as local produce comes in and out of season. 

For a more casual dining experience, take a short trip down to the valley, to the banks of the Meelup Brook and visit Lot 80 Tavern & Restaurant. Housed in a historic stone and timber building built by local farmers and craftsmen, it features Italian, French, Spanish and Australian-inspired tasting and shared menus that utilise local ingredients, where possible.

Halliday Rating
5 Red Stars