Vintage 2016: 7 exciting opportunities to go behind the scenes

We are kicking off autumn in spectacular style, as vineyards across the Margaret River region bring the harvest home for what looks like another brilliant year of wine making.

Yep, it’s vintage time, and what’s really exciting this year is the number of unique opportunities to go behind the scenes at the region’s wineries. Discover what it means to convert all those grapes you see hanging on the vines into your favourite glass of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, Cabernet and Shiraz. Read on for details!

Vasse Felix Estate Tours

The Original Tour takes you behind the scenes on winemaking at Margaret River’s founding wine estate, sharing unique historical insights into the region and all facets of wine production at Vasse Felix. The tour completes with a private tasting of the wine collection, accompanied with a small selection of gourmet bites.
Weekdays Monday to Friday, 3pm – 4.30pm.
$45 per person.
For more information and to book, call 08 9756 5000 or email info@vassefelix.com.au.
The Epicurean Tour explores the world of food and wine at Margaret River’s founding wine estate. This tour takes you behind the scenes on winemaking, sharing unique historical insights into the region and all facets of wine production at Vasse Felix, followed by a tasting of the wine collection.

Then step into the world of food and wine matching, where you’ll gain insights into Margaret River’s local produce, and the philosophies that guide the Vasse Felix Chefs in their creation of dishes to match with the region’s wines. Enjoy the ultimate treat of a three course set menu, paired with wines. Finally, select your choice of a bottle of Vasse Felix Premier wine to take away and share with your friends and family.
Weekdays Monday – Friday from 1 April 2016, 10am – 3pm.
$240 per person.
For more information and to book, call 08 9756 5000 or email info@vassefelix.com.au.

Cape Mentelle Tours

The Cape Mentelle Behind the Scenes tour demystifies the world of wine, walking through the wine making process from the vine to the bottle.
Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to 30th April. Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 1st May to 31st October.
$25 per person
Click here for more information and to book.

The Degustation Tour and Tasting encompasses a behind the scenes guided tour, followed by a degustation providing a food & wine pairing experience among the barrels of Cape Mentelle’s flagship Cabernet Sauvignon. The private wine tasting matches to a selection of delicious local produce and cheeses hosted in the historic cellar.
Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to 30th April. Winter season. Every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 1st May to 31st October.
$80 per person
Click here for more information and to book.

Voyager Estate

Take a closer look at Voyager Estate by joining us on the Estate tour. You will be able to visit Australia’s largest underground barrel cellar, learn about the vineyards, see the winery and finish with a guided tasting of the Estate’s wines. Follow the tour with a lunch experience of your choice from the award winning restaurant.

Estate Tour & Tasting Options
Tour and tasting – $35 per person
Tour, tasting & two course lunch- $85 per person
Tour, tasting and six-course Discovery Menu degustation experience, including wine – $200 per person

Hoping to learn more about tasting wine whilst in Margaret River? Why not book into one of the ‘Michael’s Room’ educational tasting sessions. Hosted by the in-house Sommelier or other professional Wine Room staff, this is a fun and informal way to learn the basics of tasting wine or to take an in-depth look at the wines that make Margaret River so special.

Michael’s Room Educational Tasting Sessions
Wine Essentials: Every Wednesday and Saturday – $30 per person
Chardonnay Experience: Every Friday – $45 per person
Cabernet Sauvignon Experience: Every Monday – $45 per person
Cellaring Styles Vertical: Every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday -$40 per person

 
Click here for more information and to book.

Cape Grace Wines

This April Karen, Rob and the team at Cape Grace Wines are inviting visitors to come by so that they can take you behind the scenes and explain the winemaking process. You could see the red grapes in open fermenters, and you may even see the winemaker hand plunging the grapes. The basket press will be in use, pressing off the reds to complete this year’s wine making.

Video right: “Morning pump for the Cabernet Sauvignon. Extraction looks good so far, great colour and flavour.” – 1 April 2016
Throughout April
FREE
For more information, call (08) 9755 5669

Windows Estate

Windows Estate has been voted the Best Small Cellar Door in Margaret River and is run by a young family with an incredible passion for making beautiful wines.

Chris and Joanne Davies are pretty laid back about inviting guests in on the harvest action, so simply give them a call on 08 9756 6655 before you arrive and they’ll let you know what you’ll be able to see on your chosen day. You may be invited to take part in anything from watching activity in the winery to getting your hands dirty with the age old process of basket pressing… The latter is probably their preferred option, as it will let Chris rest his arms for a couple of hours! They do lots of tastings of unfinished wines and you can see the wine at different stages.
Ongoing until end April.
FREE
Call ahead on 08 9756 6655.

Top Drop Tours

Awarded Australia’s best tour – go behind the scenes and beyond the tourist façade into the heart of the wine industry. Tours depart daily from 10am.

Top Drop Tours operate throughout the region and provide pick up from Margaret River to Busselton and everywhere in between. Guests are encouraged to mention their interest in behind the scenes experiences at the time of booking, as bookings are limited and subject to availability.
Tours delivered daily, subject to availability.
Tours start from $120pp.
Click here for more information and to book.

Margaret River Discovery Co.

The ‘Best of the Best Wine Tour’ takes the classic wine tour to a whole new level. You’ll discover how Cape Mentelle put Margaret River on the world wine map on a personal introduction to their oldest vineyard and working winery. The highlight of your day will be a degustation-style wine matching lunch, which is served inside the Cabernet Sauvignon barrel room.

Throughout the day you will taste more than 20+ of Margaret River’s best wines in total, before finishing with a 4WD adventure into the Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park and short walk on a section of the Cape to Cape Track.
Tours start from $188pp.
Click here for more information and to book.