Margaret River, Western Australia is the place to go for wonderful vineyards and excellent wine tasting experiences.
Vasse Felix, the first winery in the Margaret River region, has an Ultimate Winery Experience that we loved.
We were in the Margaret River region for four days in June. It’s easy to visit many cellar doors and taste a lot of wines, but there are only a few wine estates that offer in-depth tours of the vineyards and high-end tasting opportunities. These wineries are part of a consortium called Ultimate Winery Experiences-Australia, which showcases the best of the best experiences and provides a link between supplier and consumer.Located in Wilyabrup, just north of the town of Margaret River, in Western Australia, Vasse Felix began in 1967 and produced its first wines in 1972. It is located on Caves Rd, the main north-south road through the region.
Through my connection with Ultimate Winery Experiences-Australia (who did provide us with a discount) we booked “The Cellar Experience” at Vasse Felix. The other great wine estates in the area that are part of this consortium in Margaret River are Leeuwin Estate and Voyager Estate Winery.
I chose Vasse Felix for our wine tasting experience for several reasons:
1) Location: it was close to our lodging; It was only about a ten minute drive from Cape Lodge, where we stayed.
2) Date and time availability: given our restricted time frame it had the best date for us;
3) Price point: this experience is not the most expensive or the least expensive, but offered a lot for the money, and
4) Significance: Vasse Felix is considered to be the founding wine and vineyard estate in the region.
The Cellar Experience
At 10:15 am, we drove into the estate’s tree-lined drive past vineyards on both sides of the road to reach the cellar door building. The experience lasts about four hours and includes lunch, so we figured this was our main event for the day.
Wide Lawns and a modern building with several levels greeted us. We went inside and enjoyed the contemporary wood and metal accents of the building. There is a wine bar with tables inside and outside, a show room where you can purchase wines and the art gallery. On the upper level is the restaurant proper and a lovely terrace overlooking the vineyard. The art gallery was open and we walked through the private collection of the owners, showcasing Australian artists. We were greeted warmly by the Erin, marketing manager and met Helen, our guide. A sparkling wine was shared. There was only one other couple on this tour, Susan and Geoff from Perth. They come to this area frequently and love touring the vineyards. They were also very knowledgeable about wines.
Vineyard Tour
After a brief introduction, we headed out to the vineyards to look at the vines. The first vines planted on the estates showed their age with thick, sturdy trunks. Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon were two of the varieties we saw.
June is winter in Western Australia, and the grape leaves were lovely autumn colors, on their way to falling off the vines.
Helen explained details about the climate, the terroir, the ins and outs of planting and harvesting. She answered all our questions easily and expertly.
Wine Tasting
The next part of the tour was to The Vault, a special set of rooms under the main building. 2017 is the 45th anniversary of the first wines produced here and the 50th anniversary of the estate’s founding. In the first part of The Vault are some wall panels detailing the history of the vineyard and winery. The Vault also stores the first bottles of wines produced, and has an example of every wine made since. These bottles are on display behind glass.
We went into a private area of The Vault for our wine tasting. We tasted seven different wines, three whites and four reds, covering most of the product of Vasse Felix at different price points and flavor profiles. Chardonnay, Semillon, and Cabernet Sauvignon are what Vasse Felix is known for and we tasted wonderful examples of each.
We also had a nice charcuterie and cheese board that complemented the wines.
We were given a wine list and informational brochures that were very helpful in keeping the wines straight. Helen opened a special bottle for us, the fourth red. It was a vintage Cabernet from 2009 and very smooth. She sent that bottle with us when we headed upstairs for lunch.
Lunch at the Restaurant
We sat on the upper level terrace, with a beautiful view over the vineyards. Susan and Geoff were sent to their own table, so the group part of the tour was over.
A three-course lunch with wine pairings.
All the food was exquisitely presented and delicious.
I had the Pumpkin Miso, the Kangaroo Main Course, the Dulcey and Nuts dessert. But first there was a small bites appetizer course.
After lunch, we said our goodbyes to Susan and Geoff and thanked the staff and then went downstairs to choose some wines to take with us.
We ended up with 2 Cabernets and a Chardonnay which we enjoyed as our trip continued.
I can highly recommend this Cellar Experience at Vasse Felix. Am happy to answer any questions and give advice.
Good to Know:
Book ahead:
There are black out dates for some of the experiences, so check with your travel advisor or the websites of the wineries you wish to visit, or on Ultimate Winery Experiences Australia
Plan your day:
Distances do not seem far on a map, however roads in this area are two lane and winding. Plan for extra time to get to and from places. Also, it’s not recommended to drive at night. This is still a rural area and animals (kangaroos!) cross the road frequently. Be aware.
Don’t Drink and Drive:
Driving laws are strict in Australia so don’t overindulge. There are taxis which the establishments will be happy to call for you if necessary.
