Western Australia Region Report

Western Australia is a fairly broad wine region that has 9 regions within itself, as well as 6 sub-regions.  The broader regions within Western Australia are as follows: Blackwood Valley, Geographe, Great Southern, Manjimup, Margaret River, Peel, Pemberton, Perth Hill, and Swan District.  Swan Valley is the sub-region of Swan District, while Great Southern has Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker, and Porongurup.  This broad regions contributes to a mere 5% of the Australian wine market, yet it provides 20% of the “ultra-premium” market.  In the first third of the nineteenth century (in 1829 to be exact) grape vines were introduced in Swan District, yet Western Australian was not officially recognized as a registered region until much later.

The region of Blackwood Valley began planting grape vines in 1976 yet it was not until 1998 that it was recognized officially as a wine region.  Characteristic to this area is the amount of small boutique producers, of which there are more than 20.  The geology of this regions varies in elevation from as low as 100 meters in western areas to 340 meters in the eastern section. While summers here tend to be on the warm and dry side, winters are by contrast cold and wet.  This climate is perfect for creating wines with a nice balance.  Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay do very well in the gravely loam soils of the region which tend to be well-drained.  

Similar to Blackwood Valley, Geographe is also composed of boutique wineries.  In 1999 Geographe was officially established.  The region stretches north and south, making for a diverse area with full fruit flavors.  There are various styles which are incredibly successful in this region due to the variety in weather with winds from the bay allowing for evening to cool substantially, which is a perfect process for grape ripening.  The soil of Geographe is mostly limestone and can be somewhat sandy.  Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Shiraz, and Viognier have been dominant from this region, but there has recently been a significant increase in the production of Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blends, Tempranillo, and Zinfandel. 

Great Southern is great grape growing land in Western Australia.  As early as the 1950’s viticulturists were invited to explore the area’s conditions.  1972 marked the first vintage year for Great Southern, which has ideal soil and climate.  Making up the territory for this region are 150 km north-south and 100 km east-west.  Due to the size of Great Southern, there are five sub-regions which include Albany, Denmark, Frankland River, Mount Barker, and Porongurup.  The soil of these are mainly created by the decomposition of rocks beneath a deposit of water, creating a sandy area of granite and gneissic bedrock.  Due to the expanse of this region climate varies, but tends to have higher temperatures in the more northern area’s especially with elevation. Those in the south make up the wettest and coolest areas in Australia which produce wine. While Riesling and Shiraz is grown in all sub-regions, Frankland River is the only one to not produce Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc. 

In the middle of the 1970’s Manjimup was heavily experimenting with climate and grape vine plantings.  This area has very wet winters which tend to be cold and dry warm summers.  Such conditions intensify the fruit flavors of Manjimup wine.  As with other Western Australian regions, here the soil is lateritic sand as well as loams which are deposited on top of clay.  The prevalent wines produced out of grapes from Manjimup include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, and Shiraz. 

Margaret River has been involved in grape plantings since 1967 and is recognized world-wide for the class of wine produced.  Within the last two decades, the plantings have increased to 5,500 hectares (a tenfold increase).  Soil and Climate match that of other regions. As with other areas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Semillon are produced, but this region also has a thriving Merlot sector.  There are over 100 wine estates which create vibrant products which are occasionally grassy. 

Even though grape vines were planted by Italian immigrants in the 1850’s, Peel did not begin serious growth until the 1970’s, when the Peel Estate was established with over 200 hectares of vine. Climate here is mild, and production includes the same grapes as other regions with the addition of Chenin Blanc, Verdelho, Mouvrdre, Grenache, and Savignin (Peel is the only producer of this grape in Western Australia).

Pemberton was first suggested for grape production in 1977, leading to wine production throughout the next decade.  In this region there are more than 40 established vineyards.  Here the boutique wineries are balanced by larger multinational labels.  Pinot Noir and Chardonnay do exceptionally well in this area because of the loamy soil, elevation (100-200 m asl) and climate. In addition to these two varieties, Bordeax style wine can be crafted with great quality.

Nearly one hundred and twenty years after the first vineyard was planted in Perth Hills, the region was officially given status as a wine growing area.  Perth Hills contains a varied landscape with rocky outcrops, valleys, waterways and ridges covered in forest.  Elevation here (300-400 m asl) does not permit mechanical harvesting and is therefore mainly a boutique region.

Lastly we arrive at Swan District which creates table wine and fortified wine.  This hot and very dry region is terrific for allowing grapes to fully ripen in the summertime.  The prevalent wine styles from Swan District are Verdelho, Chenin Blanc, Chardnnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Fortified wine.  Swan Valley is a sub-region within Swan District, and it was traditionally a supplier for the state.  Wines here are full-bodied, dry and tangy whites which tend to be aromatic.  The whites from Swan Valley were at one point the Australian’s favorite white wine, but have more recently been surpassed by New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc.