A boutique winery that operates ‘off the grid’, Arimia was established in 1997 by Ann Spencer. Located in the north end of Margaret River, it makes the most of its superb environment, surrounded by the untouched Cape Naturaliste National Park and the Indian Ocean, to make an innovative range of estate-grown wines.

The vineyard follows organic practices and grows a diverse mix of grapes, from Margaret River’s classics of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon through to Mourvedre, Zinfandel and Verdehlo.

Wine Tasting

One of the most authentic food and wine experiences to be found in Margaret River,

the acclaimed wine range can be sampled at the relaxed cellar door, built primarily using recycled and plantation timber.

The Food

Awarded ‘Gourmet Traveller Regional Restaurant of the Year’ 2018, Arimia’s menu comes mostly from farm-grown produce including pork and trout raised on the 55ha property. The kitchen, headed by chef Evan Hayter is dedicated to utilising entire animals, with a no-waste approach that encourages creativity. Bookings are highly recommended. Open Thursday to Tuesday for lunch.

Halliday Rating

4/5 Stars

A long-time quiet achiever in Margaret River, the highly-awarded Ashbrook Estate began in 1979 and has been owned by three generations of the Devitt family. Located in the heart of Wilyabrup, it remains a boutique operation with a strong focus on handmade, single-vineyard premium wines. All fruit is grown, made, bottled and packaged at within the estate for ultimate quality control.

The Wines

The focused range reflects Margaret River’s regional heroes; Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc, along with a Riesling and a Verdelho. The estate began entering wine shows in 1999 and that year won the SGIO Winemakers Awards. A string of accolades and critical acclaim has followed.

Wine Tasting

A journey through picturesque farmland and healthy natural forest reveals Ashbrook Estate’s colonial style, mud-brick cellar door, which is open for tastings daily.

Set on 165 acres, Fishbone Cellar Door and Japanese Restaurant is part of Fishbone Wines farm and planted with Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Tempranillo. The vineyard setting is typical to the Margaret River region, north facing with a combination of loam and sandy pea gravel with a well-drained soil structure. The focus is on stripped back, raw quality winemaking, which is what the Fishbone symbol represents.

Wine Tasting

The modest and contemporary cellar door space – with striking aquarium – is open daily, offering complimentary tastings of over 20 different wines, sourced from WA’s leading wine regions Margaret River, Frankland River and Geographe.

The Food

Grab a bite at the onsite Japanese Restaurant, serving up traditionally inspired dishes to share. On the move? There is take-away sushi available too. Bookings are recommended.

The Harmans Estate team scour the region for unique parcels of fruit to make single vineyard wines that display a strong sense of place. Established in 1999 the family-owned small-batch winery is one of the only producers in Margaret River that process, produce, bottle and label wines all on site to control all aspects of quality.

The Wines
In addition to Margaret River’s classic varieties, look out for a unique Shiraz Tempranillo and Sparkling Pink Pinot Noir. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc Liqueurs are some of the only of their kind in Margaret River and the wine-based spirits are seriously unique too.

Wine Tasting
The entire wine, liqueur and spirits collection is available for tasting daily at the cellar door between 10am – 5pm.

Unique Highlights
The Harmans Estate winemakers love a creative challenge and set out to make Australia’s first Pisco. The range includes three noteworthy flavours. The Gin Gin Gin is crafted from barrel-fermented Gin Gin clone chardonnay (a mysterious clone that found its way to the Margaret River region and now dominates). This truly unique gin is triple distilled and infused with Certified Organic botanicals. Perhaps the rarest Gin in the world, with only 128 bottles made.

This stunning winery was planted from scratch by owner Michael Gould and his father in 1996. The wines are available only from the cellar door, a sleek architecturally designed property perched beside a spectacular lake that can be crossed by footbridge.

The hands-on family owners live onsite and manage their vineyard through biological farming principles with a focus on nourishing their soils naturally to make healthy vines and flavourful grapes.

The Wines

100% estate grown, all the Margaret River favourites are made, plus those who prefer a sweeter wine will love the extensive options made at Knotting Hill Estate which include a Sparkling Muscat, Verdehlo, Late Harvest White and a Rose.

Wine Tasting

The wines are available exclusively from the Cellar Door and the range is available for tastings every day. A tapas menu is available from 11am to 4pm, look out for the delicious platters of cheeses, meats and more.

Unique Highlights

Thinking about visiting in June? Make time for Knotting Hill Estate’s Annual Marron Feast, a weekend dedicated to the south-west’s favourite crustacean, during which this seafood treat can be enjoyed at the property’s restaurant in a host of different ways. Aside from wine, the family are keen marron farmers, and live marron can often be purchased to take home from the cellar door too.

Sandalford has been making superb West Australian wines for over 175 years. While the primary property is in the Swan Valley, the Margaret River cellar door is worth visiting, a cleverly-designed space made from rammed earth, surrounded by beautiful, country gardens, vines and native forest. Open daily from 10am to 5pm, a pergola and onsite BBQs make Sandalford a lovely place for a picnic with the family.

A Notable History
Sandalford was established in 1840 in the early days of the Perth colony’s settlement. The property was granted to WA’s first Surveyor General John Septimus Roe by Queen Victoria, to honour his 57 years of Service to the Commonwealth. He named it Sandalford after a priory in his original home of Birkshire, England.

The property had a diverse agricultural history and originally thrived growing table grapes, which became a lucrative export. Winemaking accelerated after World War II with a growing community of Croatian and Italian migrants bringing vast knowledge and techniques to the young Swan Valley wine industry. In 1970 the Roe family expanded to Margaret River, planting a vineyard on prime land in Wilyabrup.

In 1990, Sandalford was acquired by the Prendiville family, who own a portfolio of iconic tourism and hospitality establishments around WA. The Prendiville’s have invested significantly in the brand, the wines and the impressive estate.

The Wines
Sandalford makes five ranges of wines from its vineyards in the Swan Valley and Margaret River. There are over 25 wines, including sparkling, red, white, dessert and fortified wines. The winery incorporates the state-of-the-art-technology, while retaining winemaking traditions, such as small batch fruit processing and using the best quality French and American oak.

Wine Tasting
The entire Sandalford wine range (and often some other special wines) can be tasted at their Margaret River cellar door and grand Swan Valley estate. The Margaret River cellar door is a cleverly-designed space, made from rammed earth. It is surrounded by beautiful, country gardens, vines and native forest.

Unique Highlights
A pergola and onsite BBQs make Sandalford a lovely place for a picnic with the family.

Open daily from 10am to 5pm.

In 1976 school teachers Kevin and Marian Squance planted a tiny vineyard with Verdehlo, Semillon, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon. Over forty years on, and with two vineyards, 25 hectares of vines and a new generation of the family running the show, this quaint little winery has become one of Margaret River’s most prestigious, boutique producers.

The Willespie vineyard sites were selected for their French-like qualities; particularly their layered, well-draining gravel soils which are perfect for premium viticulture. The name Willespie, blends the region Wilyabrup and the French word espérer meaning ‘to hope’.

The Wines

The varietal wines are made with modern viticultural practices and minimal winemaking intervention. In addition to their ‘Old School Chardonnay and Semillon’, the range includes all the regional classics; Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet and Shiraz. Sweeter palates will love trying the rare Verdelho.

Cellar Door

Nestled amongst the picturesque setting of expansive vineyards, rolling hills and natural bushland, the cellar door is built from stone and timber sourced from the property. Wine tastings are available 10.30am to 5pm daily, except Wednesdays.

Halliday Rating

4 Stars