Wine regions Australia - Pemberton

Pemberton   Western Australia

Chardonnay is the most successful variety planted in the Pemberton region. However certain producers have recently demonstrated the heights that can be reached with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Watch this space!

Pemberton is one of the latest regions to get interim determination status. John Gladstones first recommended Pemberton as a potential wine grape area in 1977. Vineyards were established in the 1980s with another growth spurt in the 1990s.

Most of the vineyards lie between the Donnelly River in the north and the Warren River that runs through the region's centre. The South Western Highway marks its eastern border.

The region is commonly called "Karri Country" after its magnificent Karri forests. Supporting these magnificent trees is karri loam a deep, red, fertile soil. The soil is too good resulting in the problem of "excessive vigour" in the vines which vignerons have had to overcome by stressing the plants using techniques such as lowering irrigation rates and hard pruning.

Pemberton has a warm maritime climate. Its elevation between 100m and 200m adds a cooling influence. Most rain falls in winter making irrigation necessary.

Its early days for the vineyards in determining which varieties will emerge as the imprematres of the region. To date Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon and Verdelho represent the white varieties and for the reds Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.

Wine tourism is also a potential growth point. The magnificent forests are a big attraction and its position on the Vasse highway taking folk through Margaret River make it an important part of the Western Australian industry.

Harvest time: late February to late April

Sites with more information:

• Pemberton Karri Country
• Pemberton Wine Centre