New wave winemakers in the Margaret River Region

Embracing minimal intervention and championing alternative varieties and sustainable practices, these are the makers rewriting the rules – and having a whole lot of fun doing it. The Margaret River Region has long been ahead of the curve when it comes to sustainability.

Header image: Windance Estate

Cullen Wines led the charge decades ago, embracing biodynamic principles and setting the bar for eco-conscious viticulture. Today, nearly half the region’s vineyards are certified with Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, and almost 10% are certified organic and biodynamic.

Windance Estate has a long-standing legacy of sustainable winemaking, and its vineyards are certified organic and biodynamic. “Protecting this pristine environment for future generations is important to us,” says Windance Estate’s Winemaker Tyke Wheatley. “Our biodynamic practices ensure we are keeping the microbes in the soil alive and well and minimising our carbon footprint.”

The region’s unique combination of cool, wet winters and warm summers moderated by ocean breezes allows winemakers to remain relatively hands-off during the winemaking process and Dylan Arvidson of LS Merchants, is a huge advocate of this. “Ultimately great fruit makes great wine. In the winery we don’t chemically alter the fruit with acid or adjust the tannin, we let the vineyard characteristics shine through,” he says.

Young Gun of Wine award-winner in both 2013 and 2016, and Dormilona owner Josephine Perry agrees. “Every year we have different weather patterns and changeable seasons, so no two wines will be the same.” South West winemakers are also having fun experimenting, using ancient techniques to produce modern styles of wine. Dormilona was the first in the region to import amphora – large Italian clay vessels dating back to ancient Georgia.

The result? Wines with remarkable clarity. “Amphora really lets the wine sing, without imparting flavour,” she says. “It offers something distinctive and modern yet deeply rooted in history.”

Vallée du Venom owners Rhys and Emma Parker are also experimenting with old-school methods. “We are constantly trying out new techniques; working with indigenous yeast species and co-fermenting different grape varieties that are grown together.”

And with alternative techniques come alternative varieties. Much of the region is considered to have a Mediterranean climate, perfect conditions for winemakers to branch out from the traditional chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc to lesser-known but equally magnificent styles.

“Sangiovese, primitivo and other Mediterranean varieties are perfectly suited to the warm, sunny days, ocean breezes and cool nights Margaret River provides,” says Amato Vino owner and winemaker Brad Wehr. Their ‘Wilds’ range is dedicated to these Med varieties and more, incorporating minimal intervention and natural fermentation inside unconventional vessels – the wild stuff.

Small producers are also championing small-batch, low-intervention wines celebrating alternative varieties.

For Wines of Merritt, it’s varieties like vermentino, albariño, and grenache that excite owner and winemaker Nick James-Martin. “We like to work with non-traditional varieties and techniques. Keeping things small-batch and avoiding filtering allows us to preserve the texture and unique characteristics of each vineyard,” Nick explains.

And for South by South West, they’re all about producing honest wines in a traditional way but with a contemporary edge. Owner and winemaker Liv Maiorana practices minimal handling in the winery creating wines that honour the vineyard in which the grapes are grown and the unique characteristics of the region. Alternative practices, techniques and varieties aside, these trailblazing winemakers all have one thing in common, and that’s proving that great wine doesn’t have to be intimidating.

Ultimately, we are looking for wines that are delicious, thought-provoking, interesting, fun and, of course, drinkable,” says Dylan of LS Merchants.

Vallée du Venom’s Rhys agrees with their approachable ethos, drawing in a whole new generation of wine lovers. “We have recently opened our new cellar door at Yallingup Galleries where my wife Emma and I are always on hand to communicate wine in a less intimidating way,” he explains.

Margaret River’s new wave of winemakers aren’t just creating exceptional bottles – they’re shaping the future of an already extraordinary region. Mixing tradition, innovation, and a whole lot of passion, they’re riding a wine wave that’s as bold and beautiful as the region itself.