Whicher Ridge Wines

Being off the beaten wine tourist track definitely has its advantages for visitors as there will be no 45 seater buses in the carpark when you arrive. Instead, you will be greeted by the friendly wine dog, Polly, and receive a personalised wine tasting experience with the winemaker, Cathy. If you want to learn more about wine, and how it’s grown and made, then a visit to Whicher Ridge is a must!

The Whicher Ridge winery is small, and is family owned and operated by a dynamic team of two, Neil and Cathy Howard. The vigneron and winemaker couple have a combined 50 years of experience between them. They take a ‘hands-on’ approach to the growing of their grapes and the making of their wines and have a ‘tread lightly on the earth’ philosophy with their sustainable farming practices.

Whicher Ridge specialises in making small-batch, single-vineyard wines made from vines growing in the ancient soils of three of Australia’s most isolated wine regions, Margaret River, Geographe and the Great Southern.

Each of the wines are full of varietal and terroir specific flavours and made in styles that celebrate their provenance and pair well with food.

The Wine Sensory Garden is a truly unique wine experience being the only one of its kind in Australia. The Garden is designed in a figure eight, infinity shape with sections themed for seven different wine varieties. For each wine, there is a ‘Descriptor Bed’ planted with fruit trees, flowers and herbs which describe the aromas and flavours in that wine. The adjacent ‘Affinity Bed’ has plantings of fruit trees, seasonal vegetables and herbs which have an affinity for, or pair with, that particular wine.

Visitors can book a seated wine tasting, take themselves on a self-guided tour around the Garden, book into a guided garden and wine tasting, the Pick and Sip Tour, or choose the See Smell Taste & Experience Package (Pick & Sip Tour + gourmet hamper + Bottle of wine). The Pick and Sip Tours are offered 5 days a week at 10 am and 3 pm. 

Visitors are most welcome to bring their own picnic. There are extensive shady garden areas around the Cellar Door, offering plenty of picnic spots to choose from. So why not plan to stay a little longer, relax, enjoy a picnic and maybe play a round or two of petanque!

Dogs are very welcome to visit too as long as they are kept on a lead as Whicher Ridge is a working farm.