Magical Margaret River

The winemaking philosophy centres on minimal intervention, allowing the natural expression of the fruit and the terroir to shine through in the wines. This approach results in wines that are vibrant, complex, and reflective of their origin. Their range includes single-vineyard wines that highlight the unique characteristics of each site, as well as blends that showcase the harmonious balance between different varietals. The wine in this case is the latter, showcasing their take on a Bordeaux blend. The vineyards are planted on diverse soils, including gravelly loams and clay, which contribute to the distinctive character of their wines, and with the climate being more coastal, the terroir mimics that of Bordeaux itself. The resulting wine has more concentrated fruit than you would find in France, but with the same refined style.

Back in 2007 I took a sabbatical from my job at a well know national wine retailer to take up an opportunity working for a fine wine retailer in Perth, Western Australia. Whilst there I was fortunate to meet with some of the legendary winemakers from the Margaret River region. I was aware thERE was high quality wine being made in Western Australia, I just hadn’t tried it, with most of my education focused on the famous European regions and the more commercial regions of Australia. Needless to say, when I started drinking these cool climate expressions I was blown away. Australia wasn’t just the land of high alcohol, fruit bomb wines that I had tried (and not particularly liked) back in the U.K, these were wines that could compete with any European region for style and complexity. I made it my mission to get to know these winemakers and to work in this eccentric wine region with a climate unlike anywhere else in Australia, and it’s hippy population rubbing shoulders with the rather serious winemakers from estates such as Moss Wood, Cullen, Vasse Felix, and the wine in this month’s case, Voyager Estate.

McHenry Hohnen is a relative newcomer to the region, only being founded in 2004, but they have a wealth of experience behind them as one of the founders is legendary and pioneering winemaker David Hohnen, who is also the founder of Cape Mentelle in Margaret River and the famous Cloudy Bay in New Zealand that was the torch bearer for Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc. This relatively recent foundation has not hindered the winery from quickly gaining a reputation for its expressive wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region.

Voyager Estate was founded in 1978 by Michael Wright who was a pioneer in sustainable farming practices. He believed in working with nature rather than against it, implementing organic farming methods and promoting biodiversity in the vineyard. This commitment to sustainability has become a core principle of Voyager Estate, ensuring the health of the vineyards for future generations. The estate’s Cabernet Sauvignons are celebrated for their complexity, displaying rich dark fruit flavours, fine tannins, and a characteristic elegance that speaks to the region's Bordeaux-like climate.