What vineyards and restaurants should we visit in Margaret River?

Question

My husband and I are planning a 2 week driving holiday around Margaret River. There are a lot of vineyards and restaurants so we would love some recommendations from anyone who has been there.

Answer 1

I reckon they are all over priced, but the one on Wildwood Road in Yallingup called Rivendell had great tucker.

I only go down there for the caves and the bush. Been doing so since the 1960's before there were vineyards. It was much better without them.

Tag along with the speleologists and go down some wild caves, you'll be amazed and never want to do anything else other than that after-ward.

Answer 2

Check out Xanadu and Cape Mentelle. My interest though is in the wine, not the lunches etc.

Answer 3

Laurance Winery on Caves Road is one of the more spectacular wineries in the region. The locals know it as "Chick on a Stick" because of the gold lady in the lake, and the wines there a pretty good now too!!They also do light meals. Try their Laurance White and Aussie Jeans Pink.

Cape Lodge does fantastic food but expensive and you must book in advance.

Wise Winery in Dunsborough also does great meals but not open on Thursdays. Book in advance for weekends as they often have weddings on.

Wineries worth visiting-

Swings and Roundabouts(great Rose' and Chennin)

Settlers Ridge(Love their Lantana-Rose')

Wills Domain

Knotting Hill

Driftwood also good for food and wine

You can pick up free maps from any of the tourist bureaus and most wineries

Answer 4

Flutes restaurant is one of our all time faves.  Cape Lodge is a wonderful restaurant and indulgent accommodation.  As for wines it depends upon what you like.  We enjoy wines on the lighter sweeter side and so always go to Lenton Brae.   I also love Cullens for their reds.  You could also pop into the Venison Farm and pick up some pate and cured meats and stop in at one of the cheese factories and gather some cheese for a lighter dinner or lunch to enjoy with some of your wines.

Answer 5

There's a tourist information along the main road in Margaret River .They have maps with locations of every vineyards in the area.

Answer 6

go in to a visitor centre close to you and get some brochures

on Margaret River as you are nearing to Margaret River go in to another Visitor Centre, they will have a lot more info on it as the closer you get the more info you will get

i work in a centre in Pinjarra and that is what  we are there for to help people travelling

Answer 7

Capel Vale is lovely, beautiful outlook, great food & wine.

also a newer, small winery i really liked was Q wines. They have a bloody good Rose'.

People above mentioned Salitage & Driftwood. I havent been to the wineries, but their wines are some of the best I have tried.

Have fun!

Answer 8

Salitage is great.

Vasse Felix is very overpriced!

Answer 9

Hi Scene Girl,

When I got to Margaret River, I try to go to the smaller and unique places.  The big ones like Vasse Felix, Leewin, etc are all nice but somewhat sameish.

Cape Lavender Winery is something a little different, making lavender infused wines that are absolutely delicious.  I particularly enjoy their liqueur. They also have a high class restaurant that overlooks their lavender gardens and lakes.

It's near the Chocolate Factory, which should speak for itself. Just go there :)

I also recommend going to Yahava Koffee House, probably the best coffee I've ever tasted.  They are also a distillery producing lovely liqueurs in gorgeous little bottles!  You can tell I like my liqueurs!

Olio Bello is an olive oil farm with the freshest, sweetest olive oil I've tasted.  Accompanied by Yallingup Sourdough Bread, you could happily live off it!

As you'll be in the region for 2 weeks, I recommend doing a day trip inland to Nannup and Balingup.  Head south from Margaret River to the Brockman Hwy, and you will then travel through to Nannup.  Brockman Hwy is a lovely, quiet wide road through rolling green fields (after the rain) and then bushland.  Nannup is a cute little town that has a lovely tulip festival, I'm not sure when your trip is but if you tee it up at the same time as the tulips, you won't regret it.  To get from Nannup to Balingup to take a 45km winding road along the river, it's not very wide so if you're in a motorhome take it slowly and be considerate to other drivers.  There's a couple of winerys along here, one is Tathra which produce fruit wine. There's also a cheese factory where you can actually see the cheese being made.  Balingup is a tiny town into medieval fayres, cute cafes, mushrooms, and nearly everyone has a strawman on their verge!

There's a plethora of things to do down there, and you will have plenty of time to explore them all.  Have a fantastic trip!

Kate