Whicher Ridge
30.10.2024

It’s not a secret that the Margaret River Region is home to some of the world’s most special wineries — but did you know that many of them come with a priceless yet fully complimentary view?

One of the world’s leading wine critics Jancis Robinson described Margaret River as ‘as close to paradise as I have been on wine travels.’ Backed up by the region’s award-winning wines, spectacular views and passionate wine producers, we won’t argue with that.

Here’s a list of 12 wineries to help you plan an itinerary that’s a feast for your eyes as well as your taste buds.

1

Whicher Ridge

The beautiful Wine Sensory Garden is the centrepiece of the wine-tasting experience at Whicher Ridge, with its plantings of fruit trees, herbs, flowers and seasonal vegetables that match the texture and styles of the family-owned winery’s small-batch wines. You can do a self-guided tour around the garden or book a Pick and Sip Tour with Cathy Howard, the winemaker. This hidden gem is located off the beaten track, 20 minutes from Busselton, in the Geographe Wine Region. You’re welcome to bring a picnic lunch and stay a little longer and enjoy the peaceful, rural landscape. Top tip: Ask the cellar door staff for a boule set to borrow.

Whicher Ridge
The Wine Sensory Garden at Whicher Ridge is a truly unique wine experience. Image: Tim Campbell
2

Wise Eagle Bay

A list of wineries with a view wouldn’t be complete without Wise Eagle Bay who is the only winery in the region boasting ocean views. You won’t get enough of the spectacular vistas over Meelup and Geographe Bay. Take your time and enjoy this picture-perfect treat over a just as impressive long lunch at the Wise Restaurant. Pair this experience with their award-winning wines praised by James Halliday or a refreshing glass of gin and tonic, made from spirits distilled onsite.

Wise Eagle Bay Ocean Vistas
Wise Eagle Bay is the only winery in the region with ocean views. Image: Supplied
3

Swings & Roundabouts

Swings & Roundabouts are known for their relaxed vibe, family-friendly offering and of course the swing seats. The ‘Swings Backyards Stories’ experience takes you on a guided tour through their 40-year-old dry grown Cabernet Sauvignon vines, whilst you enjoy a glass of Backyard Stories sparkling. Then it’s onto the famous swings set amongst majestic gum trees with views of the surrounding bushland and rolling vineyards, for a shared grazing feast and delicious wines. The cellar door and restaurant venue was extensively renovated a few years back – industrial organic in style, filled with open fires, a dedicated wine tasting bar, VIP tasting room and huge feasting tables with some of the best views in the Margaret River Region.

Wineries with an epic view - Swings & Roundabouts
Sit back and enjoy the views over the green countryside at Swings & Roundabouts. Image: Supplied
4

Aravina Estate

Aravina Estate is a destination as well as a cellar door. The restaurant overlooks extensive gardens, manicured lawns and a tranquil lake. The alfresco setting has a classy resort feel, offering lunch five days per week (with pizza and boards seven days per week) with seasonal produce sourced locally. If you prefer a more relaxed dining experience, grab a table at the Riviera Pizza Bar or sit on a supplied picnic blanket on the lawn. Enjoy free live music on weekends, while the kids are playing in the playground. Once you’ve taken in the views, head back inside and check out WA’s only Surf Gallery showcasing a collection of rare surf memorabilia.

View at Aravina Estate
Enjoy views of the vineyard, extensive gardens and the lake at Aravina Estate. Photo: Supplied
5

Clairault Streicker

If a picnic surrounded by vines sounds like your style, look no further than Clairault Streicker’s special Vineyard Picnic experience. Find a private spot overlooking the rolling vineyards and native bushland, relax and take in the peaceful surroundings as you roll out the picnic rug and basket packed with goodies. The Vineyard Picnic is $75 for two and includes a picnic basket packed with a selection of dishes from their seasonal menu as well as salads, daily baked sourdough, cheese and house-made crostini and lavosh. Perhaps a bottle of the Streicker Blanc de Blancs Sparkling to complete your picnic?

Clairault Streicker
Roll out the picnic rug at Clairault Streicker. Image: Supplied
6

Brookland Valley

It doesn’t get much more picturesque than Brookland Valley’s cellar door: Wilyabrup Brook is the breathtaking focal point of the vineyard, ambling its way through the Brookland Valley property and giving life to vines alongside native flora and fauna. Taste the full range of Brookland Valley and Houghton wines or book an indulgent experience such as the Luxury Estate Picnic or the Premium Temper Temper Chocolate & Red Wine Tasting. Early birds get to enjoy the surroundings in an outdoor Pilates session by the pond. Pure bliss!

Brookland Valley
Brookland Valley is known as the home of Daphnis, a flute-playing figure from Greek mythology renowned for his his weakness for wine. Image: Supplied
7

Cullen Wines

A tasting experience at Cullen comes with priceless views over the rolling vineyards. Immerse yourself into the biodynamic journey through seated wine experiences, biodynamic dining and a self-guided biodynamic spiral garden tour. Stroll through the garden at your own pace and follow the fascinating biodynamic process that lies in the heart of Cullen. Even without the stunning views, Cullen would be a must on any wine lover’s bucket list visiting the region. One of the founding wine producers in the region and going strong for over 50 years, they have won too many prestigious awards to mention.

Cullen Wines
The outdoor seating at Cullen Wines is surrounded by their biodynamic gardens and vineyard. Image: Tim Campbell
8

Juniper Estate

Sitting beside the tranquil Wilyabrup Brook, the Juniper Estate cellar door is surrounded by cottage gardens and green lawns. You can enjoy wine by the glass at one of the picnic tables on the lawns under the shade of the trees when it’s warm. Voted Best Small Cellar Door 2021 by Gourmet Traveller Wine, the Juniper Crossing Range offers outstanding value at the entry-level. Aquitaine Rouge and Blanc are two favourites, very well enjoyed with a picnic board put together by Providore just up the road.

Juniper
The Juniper Estate cellar door is surrounded by cottage gardens and green lawns. Image: Supplied
9

Howard Park

The scenic drive to Howard Park’s cellar door is an experience in itself. Take your pick from an array of wine tastings, both at the counter or tailored seated tasting experiences including a line-up of Jeté – their awarded range of méthode traditionelle sparkling wines. You can put together your own platter, made up from delicious regional produce – cheese, charcuterie and all the trimmings, matched to your favourite wine. Enjoy it at the beautifully designed cellar door, their elegant wine chapel or enjoy the beautiful surroundings outdoors.

Howard Park
Howard Park is set on 138 hectares of vines and native bush-land. Image: Russell Ord
10

Passel Estate

The view from Passel Estate’s tasting room is simply stunning as it overlooks the estate’s dam and Chardonnay vines with tall trees in the distance. Owners Wendy and Barry Stimpson fell in love with the property from the moment they stepped foot on it, and it’s easy to see why. Its gentle sloping vineyards are surrounded by spectacular granite outcrop and pristine bushland comprising jarrah, red gum, peppermint and ancient grass trees.

Passel Estate
Stunning views over the estate's lake at Passel Estate. Image: Supplied
11

Goon Tycoons

At Goon Tycoons in the Yallingup Hills, you can enjoy both wine tastings and picnic-style cheese boards overlooking wonderful scenery which encompasses vineyards, native untouched forest and an enormous body of water full of bird life. Their wines are designed to promote the unique varieties and grower sites they’ve found on our endless quest for great vineyards.

Goon Tycoons
Goon Tycoons are based at the scenic Abbey Valley Cellar Door. Image: Supplied
12

Rústico at Hay Shed Hill

Overlooking a photo-worthy backdrop of expansive fields and vines, Rústico at Hay Shed Hill offers a relaxed atmosphere and first-class service. From the cellar door or restaurant deck tables, you can enjoy stretches from each edge of the property with undulating fields of vines, and huge gums lining the perimeter whilst the Wilyabrup Brook splits the view in half at the lowest point through the middle. Soak up the views over a long lunch, enjoying Rústico’s degustation menu and premium wines, whilst the kids delight in the made-to-play on lawns.

Rústico at Hay Shed Hill
Fields of vines and huge gum trees offer a relaxed vista at Rústico. Image: Supplied

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