Visit the vineyard: why you should drop by these four standout Margaret River wineries when exploring the region

Situated on the rugged Western Australian coast, Margaret River isn't just one of the most stunning wine regions in Australia, but in the world. As popular with beach-goers as it is with wine lovers, the region has built a reputation for producing first-class wine, particularly chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon.

This is due in large part to the unique climate of Margaret River. Described as 'Mediterranean maritime', the temperatures in the region are influenced by the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean and Geographe Bay, resulting in consistent rainfall over winter and warm, dry summers.

In addition to the beautiful beaches and forests, Margaret River is home to a plethora of must-visit cellar doors and wineries, including, Aravina Estate, Cullen Wines, Flowstone Wines and Lenton Brae Wines. And these wineries offer up more than just brilliant wines to try and buy. At these spots, you can join vineyard tours, enjoy top-tier dining experiences, drop by for pop-up festivals and get around a whole host of other things to do. Plenty are dog- and family-friendly as well.

Plan your next trip to the region with our guide to the standout wineries. And in the meantime, you can try their recommended wines to sample the region from the comfort of your own home.

Aravina Estate

Senior winemaker Trent Kelly says: Aravina Estate was established in 2010, with the vineyard originally planted in 1986, making it one of the more mature sites in the Margaret River region. Embracing innovation and diversity, the estate has expanded beyond traditional varieties to include non-traditional plantings such as grenache, arinto, and tempranillo. This shift has been made possible by the unique diversity of the site's soils and microclimates, which provide ideal conditions for a broader range of varietals to thrive.

Aravina Estate takes a holistic approach to viticulture, considering the broader ecological picture and encouraging a harmonious relationship between the vineyard and the surrounding native bushland. This integration supports biodiversity, enhances vineyard health, and reflects the estate’s commitment to ecological sound and forward-thinking winegrowing 

What guests can expect from a visit to the Aravina Estate cellar door
Aravina Estate offers a relaxed and enjoyable tasting experience in the heart of Margaret River. At the cellar door, guests can enjoy guided tastings of six wines, including estate-grown classics like our  chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon, as well as non-traditional varietals such as arinto, grenache and tempranillo.

Other must-try winery experiences available to visitors
Aravina Estate is a vibrant destination that brings together the best of wine, craft beer, and gourmet food in a stunning Margaret River setting. Alongside its acclaimed cellar door wine tastings, the estate is home to 8Waves Brewing Co., offering small-batch craft beers for those looking to explore beyond the vine. 

Food lovers can enjoy a variety of dining experiences, from seasonal fine dining in the restaurant to casual wood-fired pizzas at the Riviera Bar. We also host a calendar of lively festivals and events throughout the year – including summer music sessions, wine and beer pairings, and family-friendly celebrations set against the picturesque estate grounds. With additional offerings such as curated wine and food experiences, private tastings, and one of the region’s most scenic backdrops, Aravina Estate delivers something for everyone—whether you’re a wine enthusiast, beer lover, foodie, or simply looking for a great day out. 

Wine to try: 2024 Aravina Estate Limited Release Grenache

RRP $33 | Drink to 2030 | aravinaestate.com | Shop this wine

Cullen Wines

Managing director and chief winemaker Vanya Cullen OAM says: Cullen Wines was founded in 1971 by Dr Kevin Cullen AM and Diana Cullen AM and family owned for over 50 years. Since the beginning, the vines were always maintained with minimal chemical input, they were dry farmed, with all pruning and harvesting done by hand. Today, under the guidance of myself, Cullen is celebrating being certified Biodynamic for 20 years and certified carbon neutral for 19 years.

The philosophy of Cullen Wines is quality, sustainability and integrity, to search for the best quality expression of the vineyard in our wine. The maritime climate, rocky soils, dry farming and biodynamic practices all help to create individual and diverse wine styles which are unique to Cullen.  

What guests can expect from a visit to the Cullen Wines cellar door
We offer a diverse selection of tasting experiences, each designed to offer you a unique window into our biodynamic viticulture and winemaking, the unique terroir of Wilyabrup and the impact this has on the expression and quality of our wines. We always welcome you in at our counter for a standard tasting where you can explore a range of our wines, including our flagship Diana Madeline and Kevin John, plus our Malbec & Sauvignon Semillon blends.

For Private Seated tastings, options vary, and include our Flagship and Intimate Tastings, where your host will guide you through a detailed selection of our wines. In these tastings we’ll explore the history of our vineyard, winemaking & viticulture practices. Other tastings include our unique “Wine in Honey” tasting, which is a sensory tasting that tells the story of the Cullen bees, their honey and wax and how these are interwoven into the biodynamic wines we produce. Enjoy tasting four wines that share a special bond with our bees, as they share their journey from the pollen from the flowering cover crops to our beeswax lined amphora we use for our ferments.  

Other must-try winery experiences available to visitors
Our Spiral Garden Tour and Tasting, where guests can enjoy a private 20-minute guided walk through our Biodynamic Spiral Garden followed by a private seated wine tasting under the 'Wannang' Storytelling Peppermint Tree is a truly rare experience – offering a unique blend of nature, heritage, and exceptional wines. Guests can even join our Immersion Experience, which begins with a guided stroll through our biodynamic gardens, followed by an exclusive tasting hosted by our Winemaker. Savour a curated selection of both current and vintage releases, before indulging in a 5-course degustation lunch – perfectly paired with Cullen’s Ancestral wines.

But that's not all. You can also dine at our Two Chef-Hatted restaurant, treating yourselves to a four course set menu paired with biodynamic wines. Nestled just across the road from cellar door and restaurant, you'll even find our Homestead accommodation. Surrounded by serene countryside, this inviting holiday home promises a peaceful and rejuvenating stay in the heart of the Margaret River region.

Wine to try: 2023 Cullen Wines Diana Madeline Wilyabrup

RRP $160 | Drink to 2045 | cullenwines.com.au | Shop this wine

Flowstone

Winemaker Stuart Pym says: Janice McDonald and I have been making wine in Margaret River for more than 35 years each. Planting the Flowstone vineyard and starting the Flowstone brand is a personal commitment to the region, and what we love…wine. Flowstone is a very small brand, in the southern side of Margaret River, focused on the classic wine styles for the region, i.e. cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, and a few lesser-known varieties like touriga and gewürztraminer.

This project is driven by our passion, dedication, and commitment to forging a memorable path in wine. We bring decades of combined experience and knowledge as grape growers, winemakers, and small business owners.

What guests can expect from a visit to Flowstone  
Flowstone does not specifically have a Cellar Door, and visits are by appointment only. But once you do organise a visit, you will get a one on one tasting with myself or Janice in the winery, and taste through all the wines. It is a very personal experience. You will also get to meet our dogs. 

Other must-try winery experiences available to visitors
Because our visits are so personal and special, we can tailor it to meet most special needs or desires. We are happy to take you to the vineyard, or taste wines from barrel, and some museum wines as well. When making the appointment, just let us know what you would like, and we can make it happen. 

Wine to try: 2022 Flowstone Chardonnay

RRP $42 | Drink to 2030 | flowstonewines.com | Shop this wine

Lenton Brae

Winemaker Vanessa Carson says: At Lenton Brae, we’re all about creating interesting, expressive varietals for curious wine lovers. Our wines embody a harmonious essence, reflecting a perfect blend of tradition and innovation. Always evolving, our collection proudly showcases Margaret River classics - bright Chardonnays and timeless cabernet sauvignons with vintages dating back to 1987, alongside the eagerly awaited 37th vintage of our sought-after semillon sauvignon blanc. 

Expanding beyond our roots in Wilyabrup, Lenton Brae winemakers source fruit from growers in Margaret River and beyond, enhancing our production of premium, small-batch wines. Notably, we stand as the exclusive producers of pinot blanc in Western Australia, a versatile wine originating in the renowned vineyards of Alsace in France. We are a family business, and we love introducing new people to our wines and embracing our long-standing members with open arms.

What guests can expect from a visit to the Lenton Brae cellar door
At our cellar door, we offer a range of unique tasting experiences. Curate your own tasting at the bench or enjoy a seated wine flight – with more than 15 wines available for tasting, we have a suitable style for everyone, from wine newcomers to seasoned connoisseurs. 

We offer a welcoming, easy-going space to share our knowledge, our wines, and our story. Our wines are premium but still approachable, familiar but not simple or pedestrian. We understand that everyone has different tastes and opinions – we’re simply passionate about great wines and love sharing this at our cellar door. 

Other must-try winery experiences available to visitors
Lenton Brae is perfect for the young and the young at heart. Kick back with your favourite people, play lawn games and let the kids roam, and sample local produce from our on-site deli while sipping world-class wines with an incredible view across the vines and natural/manmade dam.

Our relaxing venue is ideal for a big family gathering under our market umbrellas in summer or for a cosy wine by the fire on a cold winter’s day. Throughout the year, we also invite our local community and visitors to join us for special events, live music, pottery workshops, paint and sip sessions and more.

Wine to try: 2022 Lenton Brae Wines Wilyabrup Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec Petit Verdot

RRP $80 | Drink to 2037 | lentonbrae.com | Shop this wine

Top image credit: Cullen Wines