Margaret River (wine region)

Margaret River
Wine region
Margaret River Wine Region
CountryAustralia
Part ofWestern Australia
Climate regionMediterranean with strong maritime influences
Soil conditionsWhilst the unique Forest Grove ironstone soils are some

of the most acclaimed, the region’s diversity of soil types offer optimal conditions for a myriad of grape varieties,

styles and wine complexity.
Total area213,000 hectares (2,130 km2)
Size of planted vineyards5,840 hectares (14,431 acres)[1]
No. of vineyards215[1]
Varietals producedSauvignon blanc, Sémillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Chenin Blanc
No. of wineries187[2]

Margaret River is the major geographical indication wine region in southwest Western Australia, with 5,840 hectares under vine and 215 wineries as at 2012.[1] Margaret River wine region is made up predominantly of boutique size wine producers; although winery operations range from the smallest crushing 3.5 tonne per year to the largest around 2,500 tonne. The climate of Margaret River is more strongly maritime-influenced than any other major Australian region. It has the lowest mean annual temperature range, of only 7.6 °C, and as well as the most marked Mediterranean climate in terms of rainfall, with only 200 millimetres of the annual 1160 millimetres falling between October and April. The low diurnal and seasonal temperature range means an unusually even accumulation of warmth. Overall the climate is similar to that of Bordeaux in a dry vintage.[3][4] Although the region produces just two percent of total Australian wine grape production, it produces over 20 percent of Australia's premium wine market.[5][6] The principal grape varieties are split 40/60 between red and white; Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, Shiraz, Merlot and Chenin Blanc.[3][7]

  1. ^ a b c "Margaret River Wineries". Margaret River Wine. Margaret River Wine Association. 2023. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Wineries in the Margaret River". James Halliday Australian Wine Companion. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference The Australian Wine Encyclopedia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Campbell Mattinson, 'Why the French hate us', Hardie Grant Books 2007
  5. ^ "The Region". Margaret River Wine. Margaret River Wine Association. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
  6. ^ The Australian and New Zealand wine industry directory, 27th Annual edition, 2009, Winetitles.
  7. ^ Oz Clarke, 'Oz Clarke's Pocket Wine Guides', Harcourt 1 November 2002