Since the first significant planting of vines in 1967, the Margaret River wine region has grown to become regarded as potentially one of the great wine-producing regions of the world.
Although the region contributes only 3 per cent of the country’s wine grapes, it commands over 20 per cent of today’s premium wine market.
Margaret River stretches some 100km from north to south and about 27km wide in parts.
The region comprises the rolling hills of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin. To the west, the Indian Ocean provides a dramatic boundary of cliffs, world-renowned surf and some of Australia’s most pristine beaches.
It is a wine region of superior growing conditions with a Mediterranean style climate. This means vineyards are not affected by extreme summer and winter temperatures. Humidity levels are ideal during the growing period and the combination of climate, soil and viticulture practices leads to consistently high quality fruit of intense flavour. Consequently annual vintage results continue to exceed expectations and reinforce its reputation of one of the premium wine producing regions of the world.
Today there are over 5,500 hectares under vine and over 120 wine producers in the region.
Margaret River wine region is made up predominately of boutique size wine producers, although winery operations range from the smallest crushing 3.5 tonne per year to the largest around 7000 tonne.
Statistics on the Margaret River Wine Region
Number of wineries/ grape growers = 183 (2006)
Hectares Planted |
|
| 2004 | 4,255 |
| 2003 | 4,094 |
| 2002 | 3,728 |
| 1990 | Approx. 1,000 |
| Most Widely Planted Varieties | |
|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | (6,286 tonne crushed 2005) |
| Shiraz | (5,859 tonne crushed 2005) |
| Chardonnay | (5,084 tonne crushed 2005) |
| Semillon | (4,273 tonne crushed 2005) |
| Sauvignon Blanc | (4,004 tonne crushed 2005) |
| Tonnage Figures | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2005 vintage | 30,630 tonne | 49% white 51% red |
| 2004 | 35,101 tonne | 46% white 54% red |
| 2003 | 26,178 tonne | 43% white 57% red |
| 2002 | 25,751 tonne | 41% white 59% red |
| 1999 | 13,041 tonne | 62% white 38% red |
Statistics have been collected from Australian Bureau of Statistics, Association's own records and other wine industry associations.
