A Guide to Touring the Wine Regions of Western Australia
Updates
Swan Valley
Baskerville
The cafe at Baskerville has closed down (p31).
Carilley Estate
Carilley Estate has opened its cellar door and also a cafe serving Mediterranean cusine.
In addition to their wines (Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Shiraz, Merlot and Malbec), they produce an extra virgin olive oil from olive trees on the property.
Open Thursday - Monday, 10:30am - 5:30pm.
Lot 23, Hyem Road, Herne Hill, WA 6056.
Tel/Fax: (08) 9296 6190
cellar@carilleyestate.com.au www.carilleyestate.com.au (p32).
Oakover Estate
The cafe at Oakover Estate is now only open Thursday to Sunday (p39).
Sittella
The e-mail address is sittellawine@optusnet.com.au (p42).
Peel and Geographe
Capel Vale
The e-mail address is winery@capelvale.com (p71).
Peel Estate
The e-mail address is peelwine@iinet.net.au (p68).
Margaret River
Alexander Bridge
This winery was part of the Hotham Wines business, but is now within AWH (Australian Wine Holding, which also owns Chestnut Grove and Bunker Bay). The label has been resurrected, so the winery and cellar door can be visited as detailed under Hotham Wines, p131.
Brown Hill Estate
This new winery is on Rosa Brook Road, 12kms south of Margaret River.
Jim and Gwen Bailey established Brown Hill in 1996, with the first vintage in 2000.
Their son, Nathan, is the winemaker, producing Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and Desert Rose, a blend of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Gwen and Nathan's wife, Chiara, run the cellar door.
Tel: (08) 9757 4003 Fax: (08) 9757 4004
enquiries@brownhillestate.com.au www.brownhillestate.com.au
Chalice Bridge Estate
Situated on Rosa Glen Road, just past Rockfield Estate, this new winery is open by appointment only.
It has a huge 121ha under vine, and winemaker Tim Mortimer produces Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Cabernet Shiraz.
796 Rosa Glen Road, Margaret River WA 6285
Postal Address: PO Box 8177, Subiaco East WA 6008
Tel: (08) 9338 6088 Fax: (08) 9382 1887
anita@chalicebridge.com.au www.chalicebridge.com.au
Casas Vineyard & Estate
John Casas owns this 11ha vineyard just south of Margaret River, established in 1992.
The wines, made by Janice McDonald at Alexander Bridge, are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Most of the wine is exported with some mail order via the web site, so there is no cellar door.
RMB 236D Rosa Brook Road, Margaret River, WA 6285
Tel: (08) 9757 4542 Fax: (08) 9757 4006
john@casas.com.au www.casas.com.au
Eagle Vale
Guy, Chantal and Karl Gallienne operate Eagle Vale, whose cellar door is on Caves Road, 2kms south of the Redgate Road junction.
Surrounded by National Forest, the 12ha vineyard was planted in 1998 and only non-irrigated, estate grown fruit is used in their wines.
Picking is performed by hand and crops are thinned in the pursuit of concentrated fruit flavour and complexity in wine.
Eagle Vale's philosophy is to remain relately small in production, producing individual, high quality wine.
The range comprises Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Semillon, Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot.
Open daily 10am - 5pm.
51 Caves Road, PO Box 810, Margaret River WA 6285
Tel: (08) 9757 6477 Fax: (08) 9757 6199
guy.gallienne@eaglevalewine.com www.eaglevalewine.com
Evans and Tate
There is now a cafe at the Evans and Tate Redbrook Vineyard Visitor Centre.
In summer it is open seven days a week. In winter, it is open Wednesday to Sunday.
Hours are 10:30am - 4:30pm, with meals served 11:30am - 4pm.
Gralyn
The first cellar door in Margaret River has been transformed into the most modern, and now has e-mail and a web site. There is also a dedicated fax number (08) 9755 6136 (p102).
info@gralyn.com.au www.gralyn.com.au
Hamelin Bay
The cellar door at Hemlin Bay (p131) is now open and offers espresso, teas, platters, BBQ and picnic facilities and things for kids to do indoors and outdoors.
See their web site for more information.
www.hbwines.com.au
Heron Lake
Heron Lake (p88) is now owned by the Goodwin Family, and they are producing Shiraz and Merlot with the aid of winemarer Frank Kittler.
See their web site for more information.
Lot 27, Rendezvous Road, Vasse WA 6280
Tel: (08) 9336 5711
robgoodwin@heronlake.com.au www.heronlake.com.au
Hesperos Wines
The address and phone number of Hesperos Wines (p131) has changed to:
West Calgardup Road corner Bussell Highway, Witchcliffe WA 6286
Postal address: PO Box 882, Margaret River WA 6285
Higher Plane
Dr Craig and Cathie Smith own Higher Plane, about 15kms south of Margaret River, where the first vines were planted in 1997.
The 6ha vineyard is planted to eight varieties: Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot.
Keith Mugford is the vineyard and winemaking consultant, and the wines (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Merlot) are made at Moss Wood.
Postal address: PO Box 4123, Mosman Park WA 6012
Tel: (08) 9336 7855 Fax: (08) 9336 7866
hpw@higherplanewines.com.au www.higherplanewines.com.au
Island Brook Estate
The e-mail address is info@islandbrook.com.au and the web site is www.islandbrook.com.au (p89).
Minot
The cellar door is now open daily 9am - 5pm (p134).
Tassel Park
This is a new winery immediately opposite Brookwood Estate, just east of Cowaramup.
Owners Ian and Tricia Tassell planted the first vines in 1998 and now have 17 acres, tended by their eldest son, Chris.
The wines are Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Cabernet Merlot. They were originally made at Brookwood, with the next vintage at Flying Fish Cove.
The cellar door is open daily 10:30am - 5:30pm. If you are lucky, they will have some mulled wine warming!
Treeton Road, PO Box 172, Cowaramup, WA 6284
Tel: (08) 9755 5440 Fax: (08) 9755 5442
cellardoor@tassellparkwines.com www.tassellparkwines.com
Vasse Felix
The phone number is 9756 5000 (p112).
Watershed
The cellar door is now open daily 10am - 5pm (p137).
Popular dishes include Donnybrook Marron, Harvey Fillet and Grilled Snapper, with Rosewater Pannacotta and Poached Strawberries as deserts. Tastings of Lamont's wines are available, and the restaurant is fully licenced with Lamont's and other wines. Lamont's winery in the Swan Valley sources fruit from throughout the state.
Monday - Friday 10am - 6pm (extending to dinner from Christmas onwards)
Saturday 8:30am until late (including breakfast to dinner)
Sunday 8:30am - 6pm (including breakfast)
Radisson Beach Resort
Radisson Beach Resort is now known as Broadwater Sanctuary Resort and the web site is www.broadwaters.com.au.
Pemberton & Manjimup
Merum Wines
We were sadened to hear that Maria Melsom died in a car accident in October 2001(p161).
Salitage Suites
Salitage now has accomodation available at Salitage Suites, eight superbly appointed chalets overlooking the vineyards from $190 per couple (p156).
Tel: 08 9776 1195, Fax: 08 9776 1504
www.salitagesuites.com.au
Picardy
Picardy now has e-mail: picardy@wn.com.au (p155).
The Warren Vineyard
The e-mail address for Anne Wandless is annew@karriweb.net.au and the web site is www.karriweb.com.au/~annew (p156).
Glenhaven B&B
Glenhaven now has e-mail: glenhaven@wn.com.au (p150).
Pemberley Farm Cottages
The e-mail is now: pemberley@westnet.com.au (p151).
The Great Southern
3 drops
3 drops now as a cellar door, open by appointment only (p188).
Bowmans Wines
Bowmans Wines is a new winery on Springs Road, 30kms south-west of Mount Barker, owned by Gerald and Marion Jenkins. The first vines were planted in 1998 and there are now 2ha each of Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz. The wines are made at the Porongorup winery; the 2002 Sauvignon Blanc will be released in 2002, with the 2001 Shiraz following in 2003.
Tel/Fax (08) 9857 6083, enquiries@bowmanswines.com.au. www.bowmanswines.com.au
Forest Hill Vineyard
Gordon Parker has moved from Plantagenet to become chief winemaker at Forest Hill (p185) as part of the estate's new focus. With the oldest vines in the region to work with, expect great things from this winery. They should also be more easily visited by appointment.
Tel (08) 9851 2096, info@foresthillvineyard.com.au
Fox River
Fox River is part of Goundrey Wines (p186 which in October 2002 was bought by Canadian Company, Vincor). In May 2002 they opened their cellar door just north of Mount Barker on the Albany Highway. It is open daily 10am - 5pm.
Tel (08) 9851 2464, info@foxriverwines.com.au. www.foxriverwines.com.au
Garlands
Garlands now has a web page and e-mail (p186).
garlands@westnet.com.au www.garlandswines.com.au
Millinup Estate
Millinup Estate (p194) now has a web site and e-mail millinup@iinet.net.au. www.millinupestate.iinet.net.au
Towerhill
Towerhill (p189) now has a cellar door, open Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm.
Yilgarnia
Yilgarnia is a new estate near Albany owned by Peter & Peg Buxton. There are no cellar door sales as yet.
Tel/Fax (08) 9845 3031, Mobile 0428 453 031, yilgarnia@albanyis.com.au, www.yilgarnia.com.au
Additional Information
The Great Southern
Due South
Due South is a wine brand used by a group of seven estates (six in Denmark, and one in Porongurup) who produce wines for domestic and international sale. The wines are made at West Cape Howe. due-south@swisp.net.au
Blue Wren Cafe
The Blue Wren Cafe in Denmark offers good value with a slightly hippy air, and is BYO.
21 South Coast Highway, Denmark 6333, Tel (08) 9848 1365
Last updated December 2003
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