Secret cellar doors

Set amongst natural bush atop their biodynamic, family-run vineyard, Marri Wood Park is a hidden gem worth discovering. Book ahead to be greeted with a complimentary cheese platter, or just drop in! You might spot their friendly alpaca and the roaming guinea fowls.

The biodynamic philosophy of the winery utilises sustainable practices: no chemicals, no pesticides, no irrigation and no fertilisers. The result is hardy vines that produce high-quality, robust and delicious grapes.

Love Marri Wood Park? Visit Windows Estate, Cape Grace Wines and Burnside Organic Farm. 

If you’re looking for one of the best vineyard vistas in the Margaret River Region, then Victory Point in Cowaramup is your spot. Despite relative isolation atop its view-soaked perch, it’s a hidden gem where they make plenty of award-winning wines, including some of the best rosé in WA. From the huge windows, enjoy the view down the valley and see the never-irrigated vines that have substantially climate-proofed themselves from the drying climate.

Roll out the picnic rug and laze the afternoon away at Rivendell, a secret spot in Yallingup.

Offering a great selection of cheese, meats and olives to accompany your wine, you can also browse a range of locally made art and produce. Four-legged friends and children are welcome with sprawling gardens to keep everyone entertained.

Rivendell is also a very popular wedding location, with the large grounds providing a stunning backdrop to your photos.

Twisting the wrought iron latch and entering through the heavy wooden door at Gralyn Estate feels like a discovery of a place from a bygone era.

First opened in 1978, the underground cellar is where the owners of the family-run estate, Scott and Annette, hold their new premium wine-tasting experience. Designed to be intimate, wine lovers are taken behind the scenes and treated to the rare opportunity to taste museum wines dating back to 1980.

This family-owned winery first planted its chardonnay and pinot grapes back in 1997, and since then Thompson Estate has consistently produced highly awarded wines.

Also at Thompson Estate is a sculpture walk featuring works by internationally acclaimed artists, acquired at Cottesloe’s Sculpture by the Sea.

Wise Wine has the region’s northernmost grape vines, and it’s one of the few vineyards with a dazzling ocean (or Eagle Bay) view. They added spirits to their line-up when distiller and former winemaker Greg Garnish joined the team.

“I was contract winemaking for another winery when I made my first batch of pisco, a Peruvian spirit, and got four death threats. I thought it would be hilarious to make gin from gingin clone Chardonnay, and hence gin gingin was born” says Greg, who uses nine litres of Wise Wine chardonnay to make each litre of gin, and has won awards at the London Spirits Competition.

You can sample the full range of Wise Wine including sparkling and premium drops before moving onto spirits and cocktails, with a fantastic view of both Eagle Bay and the still.

Bookings recommended for groups of 6 people or more.

The Walsh & Sons cellar door on Caves Road may be a fairly new addition to the scene, but winemaking runs in the veins of the family behind it. The location is also home to free-range and handmade small goods butcher The Farm House, and it is highly recommended to add a Margaret River grazing box to your experience. The relaxed setup encourages lingering, and keep an eye out for regular food trucks parking up on the weekend.

The wine labels are also beautiful, keep an eye out for their collaborations with various artists.

Owner operators Jen and Craig Brent-White at Cape Naturaliste Vineyard not only have a terrific selection of current release and museum wine from their Yallingup property on show, but there’s also an entire wall of the cellar door filled with polaroids of visiting dogs.

“Lots of these dogs have visited 20, 30 times,” says Jen. “On Saturday we had eight dogs at one stage!”

Well-behaved dogs are welcome, and you’ll be greeted by their rescue dog Max who is featured in the Wine Dogs Australia book. The icing on the cake: all their wines are estate-grown, with a hybrid biodynamic-organic approach in the vineyard.

Want to take your dog wine tasting? Let Grape Escape do the driving on their Pawesome Tours.

Bruce Dukes is a bit of a rock star in the Margaret River winemaking world, and it’s not just his charm and good looks. He makes incredible wine for many of the big-name wineries, and after nearly three decades working with local producers he took the plunge to create his own wine, Domaine Naturaliste.

A few years ago, Bruce took another leap, this time buying the old Knee Deep cellar door on Johnson Road, where his team presents fantastic flights of wine in seated tastings with optional cheese and charcuterie platters, as well as the traditional stand-up tasting experience.

Bookings for seated tastings are recommended.

Love Domaine Naturaliste? Try Glenarty Road.

There are plenty of options at this lovely estate; a seated or standing tasting, bring the kids and a picnic to enjoy with a bottle of House of Cards wine, or book a table at Chow’s Table next door.

It’s a family-friendly, dog-friendly space with a gorgeous native garden and veranda. There’s a huge lawn, a fig tree to climb and plenty of places to relax in the sunshine. The bar was buzzing with people tasting when we visited.

Liz, whose winemaker husband makes the batches, lets us in on one of their winemaking secrets. “Because we’re small, we can use some traditional methods like the basket press for our reds. Production is tiny – sometimes just two barrels of a wine.”

In happy news, they are now fully organic certified after many years of organic farming. Look out for live music and sundowners in summer.

A family (or passel) of critically endangered Western Ringtail Possums was relocated to Passel Estate following the 2011 Margaret River bushfires, and their important conservation work has continued.

The owners have launched a series of winery experiences, from guided tastings to wine sunsets and nature walks through the conservation sanctuary. A delectable food and wine pairing features handmade chocolate-encased bonbons made by a local master chocolatier.

Testament to their commitment to this beautiful patch of wine paradise, part proceeds from each experience goes back to their conservation efforts.

Take the backroads and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful scenery, an abundance of wildlife and boutique winery Firetail. Owners Jessica, Rob and Amelia will be happy to tell you all about their ancient vines, their organic vineyard principles, and their sustainable winemaking style, while you relax at their beautiful cellar door.

Don’t hesitate to ask them about the fascinating Firetail birds as unique to WA’s South West as their medal-winning wines. Make sure to stock up, as their wines are only available at their cellar door.

Amato Vino are small-batch artisan winemakers with a winemaking philosophy termed ‘lo-fi’, embracing wild ferments, minimal adjustments in the winery, gentle handling and employing traditional processes.

Wines are typically unfined and unfiltered. An old-school approach yet with a modern flare for creativity and adventure, their wines are made from some eclectic and unusual grape varieties and winemaking methods as well as with traditional Margaret River varietals. The tasting bar is just down the road at the iconic “Darnell’s Trader” in Witchcliffe, and is a must-see, must-do on your journey of discovery of secret cellar doors.