Strings of vineyards lining the winding country roads of the Geographe Wine Region is a breathtaking sight to behold. Though, it’s more than just beauty that draws visitors to these parts. The quality and diversity of wines in the Geographe Region is unparalleled, extending from world-class classics like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, to alternative varieties attracting critical acclaim to the region. Discover the alternative varietals, new blends, and recent award-winners on the rise and making waves thanks to the region’s diverse terroir and a willingness to experiment.
Willow Bridge
Estate Nestled in the rolling hills of the Ferguson Valley, Willow Bridge Estate has made a name for itself with alternative grape varieties, including Viognier, Tempranillo and Grenache. “The Ferguson Valley lends itself well to alternative varieties, due in part to the high diversity of microclimates in the Ferguson,” explains Willow Bridge Estate winemaker Kim Horton.
“Being situated upon the hills gives many different aspects to the sun and winds, and the exciting thing for growers in the region is discovering which variety works best for their unique site. For lovers of wine, there are many treasures to be found.”
Willow Bridge Estate Grenache Shiraz Mataro 2022 is one such treasure to look out for. The bright crimson drop was recently awarded the best wine in the Geographe Wine Region by the West Australian Good Food Guide It boasts aromatic notes of gentle spice, dark berries, musk and pepper and a palate of freshly crushed blackberry enhanced by liquorice, plum and vanilla.
Coughlan Estate
Also crediting the unique climate for its incredible wines, Coughlan Estate continues to produce a stellar Sauvignon Blanc. The Coughlan Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2023 has taken out silver at the Lablemakers Group WA Alternatives Varieties Show. This bright wine presents notes of stone fruits and gooseberries and delightful flavours of white pear and freshly zested limes.
“Our Mediterranean climate, interfacing with old vines anchored in decomposed granite soils, has provided freshness of fruit, generous textures, and succulent natural acidity,” says winemaker Bruce Dukes.
He explains the wine is given a deeper level of texture and flavour through the winery’s signature processes, where fruit is hand-picked in the early morning, crushed and left on skin for four hours before being pressed.
Mazza Wines
Exclusively growing alternative Spanish and Portuguese grape varieties, Mazza Wines happened upon its unique Planta Fina de Pedralba grape by happy accident. The fruit now forms the basis of its exciting, small batch Planta Fina 2023. Inspired by a story told by her university lecturer about a rare Spanish white grape spotted in an abandoned Donnybrook vineyard, Anne Mazza went in search of this mystery grape.
Spurred on by her partner Dave’s local knowledge of the area, gathered while apple picking at nearby orchards during his youth, incredibly, Anne was able to recover cuttings of the Planta Fina de Pedralba vine. The duo has now cultivated hundreds of vines from these initial cuttings, and is the only producer of this grape in Australia. The Planta Fina, which was awarded a Halliday silver medal in 2022, is a zingy summer drop, with hints of nectarine skin, grapefruit, lime blossom and a sea-like brininess.
Note: Mazza Wines is a local producer without a cellar door experience.
Smallwater Estate
Smallwater Estate, meanwhile, has been producing wine from alternative grapes since 2006. The winery’s first vintage was a Zinfandel — produced from vines planted in 1993 — and the wine continues to prove popular, with the Smallwater Estate Zinfandel 2022 awarded Gold at Winewise Awards and Gold at the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show. A bold palate of black fruit, cacao and cedar is complemented by subtle hints of vanilla pod and black forest cake, the dry red has a generous and spicy finish.
Vineyard 28
Despite the diversity of wine producers growing in the Geographe Wine Region, there’s still room for firsts. Italian grape varieties are a particular passion for Vineyard 28 owners Mark Cumbers and Pippa Nielson, and the winery has become the first in Western Australia to produce Dolcetto grapes. The winery produced its first Dolcetto vintage in 2018, but it is the Vineyard 28 Dolcetto 2023 that was recently awarded a gold medal at the National Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show. A dry red, the Dolcetto is described as having a palate of black cherries and liquorice, with mouth-filling savoury tannins. Book in for one of Vineyard 28’s Taste of Italy tours to experience these exceptional drops and the passion behind them.
Oakway Estate
Oakway Estate’s vineyard is another winery working on some truly unique drops. They might be the only one in Australia still commercially growing Scheurebe grapes, says owner Wayne Hammond. He describes the grape as a cross between a German Riesling and French bouquet blanc, explaining that Oakway Estate gently presses the fruit into a ‘trocken’, or drystyle, wine.
“We have chosen to make a dry white early picked style with good acid and fruit characteristics,” says Wayne.
The result is the Oakway Estate Scheurebe 2023, a medium-bodied sip with scents of citrus and forest berries that took out Best Geographe White Varietal at the 2023 WA Alternative Wine Show, proving popular with customers for good reason.
Green Door Wines
With low intervention wine making proving increasingly popular, Green Door Wines has found a way to combine ancient traditions with contemporary wines. The Green Door Wines Amphora Nebbiolo 2021 is just one of the vinos on offer made using amphora clay pots during the fermentation process. The Nebbiolo nabbed a gold at this year’s Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show, the wine inspiring bitter toffee mingled with musk, bruised strawberry, raspberry and coffee grounds, with cellar door manager Bailey Oberg explaining clay pots, like oak barrels, imbue the wine with its own unique characteristics.
“Because clay is porous, the vessel allows oxygen exposure as wines age, which helps soften tannins and flavours. Since clay is a neutral material, the presence of oxygen enables wine to develop without imparting any additional flavours.”
St Aidan Wines
Wines from St Aidan Wines have been winning awards for close to twenty years, and the Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2023 is proving no exception. The drop, which gives passionfruit and lychee to the nose, and fresh gooseberry, lime and lemon zest to the palate, was awarded Wine of Show at the Geographe, alongside Best White Wine and Best White Blend. The winery describes the drink as having cleansing crispness with well-balanced acidity.
For more food and wine experiences search here.
