Margaret River (wine region) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Margaret River

Wine region
Margaret River wine region
Country	Australia
Part of	Western Australia
Total area	425,500 hectares (4,255 km2)
Size of planted vineyards	5,017 hectares (12,397 acres)
No. of vineyards	215
Varietals produced	Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Carnelian, Rosé, Moscato, Tempranillo, Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Franc.
No. of wineries	187

Margaret River is a very important wine region in the southwest part of Western Australia. It's known for making some of Australia's best wines. In 2012, there were 5,017 hectares (about 12,400 acres) of grapevines planted here.

The region has 215 wineries, and most of them are smaller, family-run businesses. These smaller wineries are often called boutique producers. Even though Margaret River produces only a small amount of Australia's total grapes, it makes over 20 percent of the country's top-quality wines.

The climate here is special because it's very close to the ocean. This means the weather doesn't change too much between day and night, or between seasons. It has a Mediterranean climate, which means it gets most of its rain in winter. This type of weather is great for growing grapes, similar to the famous Bordeaux region in France.

The main types of grapes grown are split almost evenly between red and white varieties. Some popular ones include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon blanc, Sémillon, Shiraz, and Merlot.

Exploring Margaret River's Sub-regions

Even though there are no official sub-regions in Margaret River, experts have suggested some areas. In 1999, a scientist named Dr. John Gladstones thought there should be six different sub-regions.

These suggested areas are based on differences in climate and soil. They include Yallingup, Carbunup, Wilyabrup, Treeton, Wallcliffe, and Karridale.

Top Grapes Grown in Margaret River

Here are the most common grape varieties harvested in the Margaret River region, based on how many tonnes were crushed:

Famous Wineries of Margaret River

Robert Oatley Chardonnay

Margaret River is home to many well-known wineries. Here is a list of some of the grape growers and wine producers in the region: