A Region Commanding Attention

The Margaret River region may be producing just 3% of the nation's grapes but it boasts more than 20% of the super premium wine market and commands attention through persistence rather than aggressive marketing.

While wine column and tourism brochure writers may feed the masses with glowing accounts of Margaret River wines, the local players in the industry are plain speakers who have been quietly working the domestic and export markets for years. This work is now paying off with production rapidly expanding to meet demand, premium prices are holding, and one good vintage seems to follow another.

Cabernet Sauvignon wines were the first to win acclaim, followed by Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon, produced with consistently high quality. Today it is a case of name the variety and you'll find it growing in Margaret River.

Geographic Location

The Margaret River region is located in South West Australia and has an elevation of about 40m. It comprises the rolling hills of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, extending 90 km north-south between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin. To the west the Indian Ocean is the boundary and it has an eastern boundary located at 115°18'E and is approximately 27km wide.

Harvest in the Margaret River region is from the end of February to mid-April. The Margaret River area makes up around 34% of the State plantings.

Climate & Soils

The climate is strongly maritime influenced, with the most marked Mediterranean climate of any zone, with a strongly winter dominant rainfall. It has the lowest mean annual temperature range of only 7.6°C. The low diurnal and seasonal temperature range means an unusually event accumulation of warmth, while spring frosts are extremely rare and very localised. The heat degree-days are recorded as 1690.

With a constantly varying landscape soils also vary. The most common is that of the ridge, which is predominantly a gravelly or gritty sandy loam, formed directly from underlying granite and gneissic rock. The soils are highly permeable when moist but have a low water holding capacity, giving a need for irrigation in many situations.

What should be emphasised is the special environment of that stretch of land from cape to cape. It suffers at times from intense southerly low-pressure systems that can generate gale force winds capable of damaging shoots and flowers. On the positive side, however, is the overall maritime system that is very kind to vineyards. They are neither affected by frost nor extremes of summer and winter temperatures. Humidity levels are ideal during the growing period and the combination of climate, soil and viticultural practices leads to consistently high quality fruit of intense flavour.

The Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge rises from an ancient granite land mass 2,000 million years old. Believed to have once been separated from the mainland, its soils mostly formed from long periods of weathering in which granite decomposed to form iron-rich clay, which precipitates to the surface forming laterite gravel loams that are ideal for grape growing. Due to their great age and constant leaching, these soils are relatively low in organic matter and essential elements, which is a feature favoured by winemakers while requiring their vineyard managers to carefully sustain necessary vine vigour.

Soils in the cape district of WA support towering jarrah and karri forests, and such others as marri, peppermint gum, black butt and blackboy. The best viticultural soils are generally regarded as those that once supported jarrah and marri. Forest in their natural state give the message that this is a different and special environment found nowhere else in the world, while the clean white beaches and limestone outcrops that are lapped by the bright blue Indian Ocean enhance the fresh, clean, natural image.

A Potted History

Odd patches of vines were grown 100 years ago but the impetus for commercial development came in more recent history when in 1965 John S. Gladstones highlighted the region's suitability in his report 'The Climate and Soils of Southern WA in Relation to Vine Growing.' This was followed by the first significant vineyard plantings in 1967. Tom Cullity got Vasse Felix moving that year, Bill Pannell established Moss Wood in 1969, Cape Mentelle began in 1970 and Kevin Cullen planted Cullen's first vines in 1971.

In August 1986 total plantings were reported to be 400 hectares, about a sixth of estimated current plantings, and 21 wine producers were listed. Today there are some 111 wine producers with a 2002 crush for the region of 24,213 tonnes. Whilst there has been a growing interest from Australia's big players in wine, most producers are in the boutique category although several have expanded beyond the size normally synonymous with boutique.

If you have any questions about the show please contact the
Margaret River Wine Industry Assocation on (08) 9757 3916.

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