Wayfinder is your gateway to an unforgettable wine and farm-to-plate journey in the Margaret River Region.
Located in the heart of Dunsborough town, Wayfinder is a destination in and of itself.
The venue stands out as a cellar door, wine bar and farm-to-plate restaurant, offering tastings of their Western Australian and Tasmanian brands alongside an impressive international wine list.
Let’s explore what Wayfinder is all about.
“If you’re keen to do a tasting but don’t have time to drive around the region, a visit to our urban cellar door is a must. Come for the wines and stay for a meal at our wine bar and restaurant,” says long-time Dunsborough resident and Wayfinder Direct-to-Consumer Business Manager Leah Clearwater. “We believe in a polished, yet unpretentious venue. Wayfinder could be your first stop after a morning at the beach, or a well-earned glass of wine after work. Our venue is stunning, but we want our guests to feel relaxed and comfortable. It’s casual dining; just come as you are.”
Complimentary wine tastings are available from 12pm-5pm Thursday through Monday, offering visitors a chance to explore the cellar door’s wine list, which includes selections from their three Australian brands: two from Margaret River (Swell Season and their namesake, Wayfinder) and Small Wonder from Tamar Valley, Tasmania. These wines are also available to take away or ship at cellar door prices, which means you can enjoy them from the comfort of your home or accommodation.
The Wayfinder experience doesn’t end there. Their urban venue is more than just a cellar door; it’s an incredible wine bar and restaurant offering a delicious, locally sourced farm-to-plate menu alongside an exclusive international wine list. As well-travelled Wayfinder Marketing Communications Manager Maddy Lyons says, “It’s a pleasure to promote such a unique and hybrid-style venue. You can taste organic wines from two different regions of Australia, purchase them at cellar door prices, and then enjoy a sensational meal paired with a global selection of wines, all sustainably crafted and family-owned.”
You can order soup and small bites from their grazing menu from midday, with the full restaurant menu available from 3pm onwards.
Need some insider knowledge? A cult following has developed for two items on the snack menu: the duck tostada, and the Albany sardines on sourdough. “There would be mutiny from the locals if we took these two dishes off our menu,” Leah says.
The Wayfinder dining menu is just as meticulously curated as their wine list. Led by Head Chef Andres Felipe Montiel, whose culinary journey spans Colombia to Buenos Aires to Melbourne, and Sous Chef Hamish McLeay, a beloved local talent, their kitchen delivers seasonal dishes that perfectly complement their range of wines.
“Wherever possible, we source ingredients from the South West, or at the very least WA,” says Andres. “Every Thursday, we get a fresh delivery of produce harvested from our Cowaramup farm earlier that morning.
“Our farm-to-plate menu is a team effort. We work closely with Amy, our Market Gardener, to plan which crops to plant and what produce we need for the menu. It’s an exciting process to be a part of, from planting a seed to delivering fresh produce months later, before it’s eventually featured in one of our dishes.”
Sustainability is also an essential philosophy at Wayfinder. “We operate on a low waste basis at the restaurant,” Andres states. “Compostable food waste is always taken to the farm, and for some of our more unusual heirloom varieties, we grow small crops often used for one-off specials.”
For those looking to capture the full Wayfinder experience, their restaurant wine list offers a wonderful selection of European wines, many of which are exclusive imports you won’t find anywhere else in WA.
“Not only can you enjoy the wines we make in Western Australia and Tasmania, but you can also choose from an impressive list of 25 international wines,” offers Maddy.
Leah highlights a particularly stunning international wine on their list: “Edouard Duval is a sixth-generation Champagne grower and we are the sole importer of his wines into Australia. The sublime NV Prestige Rosé de Saignée is currently available by the glass or bottle.”
While away a wonderful afternoon in the South West and discover the full Wayfinder experience, from the glass to your plate. With an exclusive wine list, exceptional dining and a welcoming atmosphere, the Wayfinder team is there to make your experience one you’ll want to repeat, again and again.
Visit Wayfinder online to make a booking or drop by their Dunsborough venue to see what’s on the menu today.
