The south west’s oldest wine region. Wine growing in the region dates to the early 1800’s when both wine and fruit was the horticultural currency of the time. The region is of historical relevance as it helped develop the reputation of Western Australian wines.

The Swan Valley has more sunny days than any other wine region in Australia and has been noted as one of the hottest viticultural regions in the world. The regional specialities are Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, and Fortified wine and Liqueurs.

This region is scattered by the forested valleys and granite outcrops of the Darling Ranges. It is a new region, granted official status in 1999. Its location on the escarpment helps to moderate daylight hours, shield vineyards from maritime influences, increase winter rainfall and provide a myriad of topographical aspects.

The soils of the region range from sandy to gravely loams situated over dense clay. The valley slopes are comprised of ironstone and gravel loams; while to the north, brown clays are more predominant. The most successful varieties of the region are Viognier and Shiraz, although Verdelho, Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc thrive there too.

This region stretches along the southern Darling escarpment to Pinjarra, and west to the coastal playgrounds of Mandurah, and includes more than 200 hectares of vineyards.

The regional specialties include Shiraz and Chardonnay.

The Geographe is one of the South West’s most exciting emerging regions and home to many diverse styles of wines.

There are four districts in the region: Harvey, Donnybrook, Capel and Ferguson, each with unique terroir and topography. It is the cool sea breeze from Geographe bay that helps create the local style of wine and a stable growing season that’s ideal for crafting award-winning Shiraz, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.

This premier region is surrounded by water on three sides with the eastern boundary, known as the Gladstone Line, 27km from the coast. This region receives its temperate climate from the cooling influence of the Indian Ocean. There are six distinct soil types which form sub regions – Yallingup, Carbunup, Wilyabrup, Treeton, Wallcliffe and Karridale. Sub Region Map here.

The Margaret River Region produces 3% of Australia’s wine, yet over 20% of Australia’s premium wines. Predominant grape varieties cultivated include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Sémillion, and Sauvignon Blanc.

The Blackwood Valley is the South West’s newest wine region with the first vineyards planted in 1976. It was officially gazetted as a wine region in 1998 and there are now over 50 vineyards. This region covers a huge area wedged between the Geographe and Manjimup wine regions on the Darling Ranges plateau, including Bridgetown, Balingyup, Boyanup Brook and Nannup. The climate is continental bringing winter rains and warm, dry summers.

The regional specialities include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Merlot.

In the heart of karri tree country lies the Southern Forests wine region. The cool climate and rich soils of this region are particularly suited to producing refined, Bordeaux-style wines. Pemberton, Manjimup, Northcliffe and Walpole are the main towns within this region.

Although small and new on the viticultural scene, there’s no doubt that this is an exciting region producing world class wines, particularly Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Chardonnay.

The Great Southern wine region is the south west’s coolest viticultural region and the most naturally diverse. It is Australia’s largest wine region – a rectangle stretching 200km east to west, and over 100kms north to south.

This region has five nominated sub-regions for viticulture, namely the Porongurups, Mount Barker, Albany, Denmark and Frankland River. The vineyards of the region have significant variations of terroir and climate among some of the world’s most diverse National Heritage landscapes. This region is well known for Riesling, Shiraz, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Sauvignon.