Since the first significant planting of vines in 1967, the Margaret River wine region has grown to become regarded as potentially one of the great wine-producing regions of the world.
Although the region contributes only 3 per cent of the country’s wine grapes, it commands over 20 per cent of today’s premium wine market.
Margaret River stretches some 100km from north to south and about 27km wide in parts.
The region comprises the rolling hills of the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Ridge, between Cape Naturaliste and Cape Leeuwin. To the west, the Indian Ocean provides a dramatic boundary of cliffs, world-renowned surf and some of Australia’s most pristine beaches.
It is a wine region of superior growing conditions with a Mediterranean style climate. This means vineyards are not affected by extreme summer and winter temperatures. Humidity levels are ideal during the growing period and the combination of climate, soil and viticulture practices leads to consistently high quality fruit of intense flavour. Consequently annual vintage results continue to exceed expectations and reinforce its reputation of one of the premium wine producing regions of the world.
Today there are nearly 5,000 hectares under vine and over 100 wine producers in the region.
Margaret River wine region is made up predominately of boutique size wine producers, although winery operations range from the smallest crushing 3.5 tonne per year to the largest around 7000 tonne.
Statistics on the Margaret River Wine Region
Number of wineries/ grape growers = 183 (2006)
Hectares Planted |
|
| 2006 | 4,908 |
| 2005 | 4,582 |
| 2004 | 4,255 |
| 2003 | 4,094 |
| 2002 | 3,728 |
| 1990 | Approx. 1,000 (estimated) |
| 2006 Most Widely Harvested Varieties By Tonnes Crushed | |
|---|---|
| Cabernet Sauvignon | 5,655 |
| Shiraz | 4,665 |
| Merlot | 2,179 |
| Chardonnay | 3,981 |
| Semillon | 4,624 |
| Sauvignon Blanc | 4,483 |
| Tonnage Figures | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2006 vintage | 28,637 tonne | 44% red 56% white |
| 2005 | 30,630 tonne | 51% red 49% white |
| 2004 | 35,101 tonne | 54% red 46% white |
| 2003 | 26,178 tonne | 57% red 43% white |
| 2002 | 25,751 tonne | 59% red 41% white |
| 1999 | 13,041 tonne | 38% red 62% white |
Statistics have been collected from Australian Bureau of Statistics, Association's own records and other wine industry associations.