Overview
When it comes to sun, surf and sand, Australia's prowess is widely recognised. But, as any wine lover is well aware, we have something else to be just as proud of. Made in sprawling vineyards around the country — including in Western Australia — our local vinos are simply top-notch. And, they're worth championing and celebrating at every possible opportunity.
This isn't news to WA residents, of course. Margaret River, Albany and the Geographe region's wineries have strong reputations, as do others across the rest of the state. Indeed, we're betting their tipples already rank highly on your must-drink list. When such excellent wines are made so close to home, there's nothing better than to pair one with dinner, a cheese platter or a seafood lunch, obviously.
In case you need a few extra suggestions, are looking for a couple of other local drops to try, or you could just use a reminder about brands you adore, we've teamed up with our pals at BWS to highlight five Western Australian-based winemakers that you should definitely know and support. You might already love their tipples. You may have heard of them, but never had the pleasure of trying their wares. Either way, these wines will help you drink local. Plus, you can also help spread their joys by voting for them to be stocked in more BWS stores across WA.
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Spare rooms aren’t just where everyone hoards away their junk, but where dreams begin. If you’ve ever started a hobby that you’ve hoped would become your side hustle or even your new career, we’re betting your spare room provided your first base. It certainly did for Cherubino Wines back in 2005. Now, the company has a growing roster of labels to its name — including the Ad Hoc brand. Yes, this vino collection does a little bit of everything, both in its varieties and where it sources its Western Australian grapes. Fancy a pinot noir from Pemberton? A grenache rosé from Margaret River? A riesling from the Great Southern region? They’re all on offer.
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Ask the folks at Bunn’s Vineyard if they’ve sung the song ‘Red Red Wine’ to themselves, and we’re guessing that the answer will be yes. This Albany winery focuses on shiraz and cabernet sauvignon — just those two, so you know they’re very serious about them — and clearly likes tipples of a hearty, rosy colour. Bunn’s is also dedicated to sustainability, using biodynamic methods, crafting preservative-free tipples and plying its trade using minimal intervention. That all makes for memorable vinos by a vineyard that is clearly dedicated to recognising what it loves, devoting its time in that direction and doing so in the best way possible.
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The patch of land that Barton Jones Wines calls home has only been producing its own wines since 2007, but that doesn’t mean that this specific spot is a newcomer to the vino game. Located just outside Donnybrook in the Geographe wine region, the site has boasted its own dry-grown vines since back in 1978. Originally, the grapes were supplied to other winemakers — until Barton Jones Wines was formed. Now under its second set of owners, this brand favours two styles: wooded wines, which form its premium range, and fruity tipples with a more restrained use of oak, as seen in its cellar series. Variety-wise, that means you can say cheers to semillon, cabernet sauvignon, chenin blanc, shiraz and, soon, rosé as well.
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With vines stretching out as far as the eye can see, every winery is already a scenic place. Wise Wine goes one better, though. Situated in Eagle Bay in the Margaret River region, the 60-hectare property also comes with ocean views — so, while its grapes are growing and its vinos are being made, the vineyard’s team can feast its eyes on two of the most picturesque sights there are. As for the tipples, expect cool climate varieties made with minimal intervention — cabernet merlot, chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, shiraz and shiraz rosé, for example — including from its Sea Urchin label. Yes, it’s a very fitting name. Obviously, there’s an image of the eponymous ocean-dweller on its bottles.
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Some winemakers start out with huge plans, aiming to become one of the industry’s biggest names, but not Forester Estate Winery. That just isn’t the Yallingup outfit’s style. Although it calls a sizeable parcel of the Margaret River region home — with its site lined by trees, as its moniker intimates — it’d rather have the time, space and focus to be as meticulous as possible. Part of that detail-oriented approach is highlighting the specific flavour and character of grapes grown in the area, with Forester Estate sourcing its fruit from around 14 vineyards primarily located in the region’s northern third. Accordingly, that’s what you’ll taste when you sip its chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, semillon and a little blend of the latter two called Little Sweetie.