Wine regions - Geographe

Geographe   Western Australia

The Geographe region is small and compact with a strong reputation for the production of fine wine. Chardonnay, Semillon, Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are the most widely planted varieties.

The Geographe Region takes in the curve of land on Geographe Bay named after the ship (corvette) Le Géographe   captained by French explorer Nicolas Baudin who charted the coastline in 1801. 

The region extends from Busselton in the south to Preston Beach on its north coast boundary and inland to Collie a distance of 53 kilometres from the coast.  The region has three distinctive wine growing areas. 

Running right along the coast from Busselton to the main town of Bunbury is Capel.  This coastal area has been dubbed 'tuart country' after the soils, which are deep, sandy and overlaying limestone. These soils drain well but are low in nutrients with the exception of deposits of alluvial soil.  The climate is Mediterranean with the maritime influence of cooling winds reducing summertime temperatures.

The Geographe region is flanked by the Darling Range, an escarpment of undulating hills which gradually rise to the east.  The rise in elevation and distance from the coast gives the Donnybrook area in the south west corner of the region, a more continental climate with higher temperatures and growing season rainfall than the coast.  The soils around Donnybrook are gravelly and nutrient rich supporting orchards as well as vineyards.

The third area is the Ferguson Valley a popular destination for lovers of picnics and bush walking as they head for the Wellington National Park and the Wellington Dam. The Ferguson and Collie rivers run through the area watering the many vineyards that grow in granite quartz clay soil with loamy alluvial topsoil deposited by the rivers. The temperatures and rainfall are higher than coast.

The region took off as a grape growing area after the First World War when an influx of Italian immigrants set about producing wine. Sadly many of these people were interned during the Second World War resulting in labour shortages and consequent neglect of the vineyards.

The elixir for the region was brought by medical doctors in the 1970s. Dr Barry Killerby, established Killerby Vineyard and Dr Peter Pratten established Capel Vale in the Capel area just south of Bunbury. These wineries set the pace for quality wine production, so today, the region with its many boutique wineries has an international reputation for fine wines. Willow Bridge Estate the largest vineyard holding in the Ferguson Valley and Barton Jones Wines in Donnybrook are two relative late comers to the region who have also been notching up awards and accolades. Each year in October the Geographe Wine Show puts a spotlight on the standout wine producers in the region. In 2010 Smallwater Estate and St Aidan were highly awarded. The wine industry makes a vibrant contribution to the region's food and wine culture, with many cellar doors, and winery cafes and restaurants serving local produce.

Chief grape varieties are Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Semillon.  Other varieties making a name in the region are Merlot, Tempranillo, Viognier and Zinfandel.

The region is a great place to visit. Only 2 hours from Perth, it offers visitors great natural beauty, coast and bush outdoor pursuits, a lively arts and gallery scene and great cafes, restaurants, breweries and cellar doors.

The towns of Bunbury and Busselton are large and offer visitors many attractions and accommodation services. The smaller towns and villages in the region are also well resourced with a range of accommodation services from farm and vineyard stays to bed and breakfasts.

The region has four major events every year - the Donnybrook Fine Food and Wine Festival and Brookhampton Estate's Vineyard Concert both in summer and Geographe Crush Food & Wine Festival and Geographe Wine Show held in Bunbury in spring.

Harvest time: mid February to early April

 

Photographs courtesy Tourism Western Australia

Sites with more information:

• Geographe Wine Region
• Geographe Vignerons Association
• Bunbury Visitors Centre
• Ferguson Valley Visitor Centre
• Donnybrook Visitors Centre
• Harvey Visitor Centre