A mini guide to the Margaret River wine region

The Margaret River wine region produces only 3% of Australia’s grapes, but sells 20% of Australia’s premium wine. It’s no wonder that the region has such a great reputation for high quality wine. To top it off it’s also a perfect holiday destination. I’ve holidayed at Margaret River three times and there’s no doubt I’ll return one day.

My favourite restaurants:

• Voyager Estate – for lunch for two people I highly recommend ordering four entrees and a bottle of their Project 95 Chardonnay
• Leeuwin Estate – try one of the wine flights with each glass matched with food
• Margaret River Hotel – the pub on the main street of Margaret River has delicious pub food and a top-notch wine list

My favourite wines:

• Vasse Felix Cabernet Merlot – priced around $20-25, it’s incredible value for money and one of my go-to reds
• Pierro Chardonnay – perhaps my favourite Chardonnay, but it’s a toss-up between this and the following wine…
• Voyager Estate Project 95 Chardonnay – once exclusive to diners at the Voyager Estate restaurant, I’ve just discovered it’s now available for purchase from Voyager Estate’s website

Things to do:

• Gourmet Escape – a food and wine festival held every November at Leeuwin Estate. 2016’s event will take place on 18-20 November and features Nigella Lawson.
• Take a drive to Busselton and walk down the two-kilometre long Busselton Jetty
• Sample the olive oil at Olio Bello. Their Home Chef olive oil is a fantastic for everyday cooking
• Walk around the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet
• Visit cellar doors… obviously

Places to stay:

• Tintagel Estate – a massive house situated in the middle of a vineyard. Kangaroos will greet you near the front porch at dusk. It’s situated a few kilometres south of Margaret River and is close to Leeuwin Estate, Voyager Estate and Xanadu wineries.
• Erravilla Country Estate – a lovely B&B located on the north side of the Margaret River region, close to Wills Domain. Their enormous breakfasts feature local produce and change every day.

Ahh... writing this has brought back so many fond memories, I think I’ll have to book another trip!