Margaret River WA was originally a chilled out surfie town, but has evolved into the ultimate smorgasbord of fine wine, good food and spectacular scenery — just a three-and-a-half hour drive south of Perth. No trip to Western Australia is complete without a pit stop at Margaret River.

There’s a fine supply of world-class wineries, boutique breweries, and restaurants overlooking sweeping vineyards and surf breaks.

The wine is definitely top notch – the region produces less than three per cent of Australian wine, but wait for it – nearly 30 per cent of the country’s premium wine.

And with nearly 100 plus wineries to choose from, you won’t be stuck for choice.

One of the best ways to experience the wine that Margaret River has to offer is on a tour. This video features a tour with the The Margaret River Discovery Company hosted by expert local guide Sean Blocksidge. Armed with a luxury 4WD plus a canoe he plots a journey that takes you behind the tourist facade, away from the masses to discover people and places you won’t find on your own.

The aim is to give the traveller the most memorable wine touring experience ever, and in the process, really experience the richness and diversity of this unique corner of the world. He calls it ‘the tour for people who dont do tours’.

Please note this video features the Margaret River Discovery Tour (Tues/Thurs/Fri). On alternate days Sean offers the Best of the Best Wine Tour (Mon/Wed/Sat). See www.margaretriverdiscovery.com.au for more details.

The Margaret River wine region covers two shires (Busselton and Augusta – Margaret River) and is approximately 100km long and 27km wide. We are a large wine region that is influenced by the Southern and Indian Oceans. The Southern Ocean influence results in the southern vineyards having a somewhat cooler temperature profile and as we move further north the Indian Ocean influence kicks in and the climate warms. Over many years of viticulture excellence we understand and work with the variation in climate from south to north of the Margaret River wine region. Fortunately we are having a great growing season here in Margaret River and the spread of climatic variation adds to the complexity and depth of wines produced. As fate would have it, Margaret River had missed a lot of the inclement weather that occurred in the north and the southern areas of the state. Our geographic location has put us in a solid viticultural position again for vintage 2012…..

What we didn’t miss though was the fire that caused havoc and loss of property along the coastal mid section of the region. Thank goodness no one was injured. A couple of vines scorched and a lot of smoke that fortunately occurred at a time when vines would be least susceptible. With much of the smoke rising over southern vineyards and passing out to sea, the vineyards are OK. Unfortunately, a lot of lost hours worrying and fighting a fire and a few local mates that will need to rebuild and start over again…. mates with families that work in and around our wine industry! The strength of our local community spirit is working to help these families through and we appreciate the kind donations from Wine Lovers.

This year Margaret River wine region had a reasonably normal start to spring but with a wetter November than recent averages would suggest. The result has been earlier season vigour and a sprint for vineyard managers and viticulturists keeping up with canopy performance targets. One viticulturist recognised for his dedication to growing grapes and meeting targets is Bart Molony. Bart is with Vasse Felix and recently was awarded the prestigious Margaret River Wine Industry Association – Viticulture Excellence Award… Well done Bart!! (I have had the pleasure of working with Bart at Vasse Felix for a few years now!). Its guys like Bart that will ensure our drinking pleasure for years to come!

Viticulturists are enjoying grape vines growing actively from budbreak until flowering, this is positive for canopy surface area to fruit yield ratios and also fruitfulness for next years crop. We know that buds formed when active shoot growth occurs are more fruitful and the practices applied to encourage strong early season growth start in the previous year. By having strong early season growth we use the natural reduction in soil surface moisture taken up by the vines to encourage mild moisture stress in the surface root zone of the grape vine. This in turn slows shoot growth through the fruitset to bunch closure period and then hopefully will allow cessation of shoot growth at approximately 10 to 20 days before veraison (veraison is the period where berry colour change or softening occurs). This is exactly how we like our red variety vines to be leading into the fruit maturation period. We know that our red varieties have the best quality fruit when mild moisture stress occurs prior to veraison and harvest. As the surface root system dries, there is a change in the chemicals/hormones produced by the roots and this signals the vine to change from shoot growth to reproduction (berries with ripe seeds). The result is berries that have more colour, flavour and aroma… all natural attributes for a plant trying to promote seed dispersal. Vine health is maintained with the deep penetration roots that have accessed moisture in clay at depth, supplying the moisture for natural vine function.

We have put considerable effort into getting soils correct in nutrition and health and this also results in managing readily available soil moisture naturally and reduces the need for supplementary irrigation. It does go without saying (but I will anyway!), we do assess our vineyard soils and vine performance leading into flowering and veraison and if necessary we can apply supplementary irrigation to protect flowering and the berry maturation period. This is viticultural excellence at its best!

Pasture and cover crop growth in mid-rows this spring has been phenomenal and as a result the future of soil health and vine performance is looking very promising. Timing will see most vineyards complete canopy and fruit zone management by late December and we are hoping for some fine and mild weather through the next 3 months to ripen grapes. We forecast the 2012 vintage starting mid February…. it’s shaping up to be a ripper!

An amazing period to be out in the vineyard and we hope that all wine lovers have a merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Contributed by viticulturist Bruce Pearce

When he left Vasse Felix in 2005, few would have anticipated the revitalisation of Clive Otto’s career that would occur after he joined Fraser Gallop. Otto had come West chasing the Margaret River surf after he had finished his post-graduate diploma in winemaking at Roseworthy in 1989. He put his name down to do vintage at Vasse Felix and, when Bernie Abbott left, he found himself the winemaker working under David Gregg.

Gregg was a mentor for Clive Otto, leaving an abiding impression on him of the importance of drinkability in winemaking. When he retired in 1994, Otto took over as chief winemaker. During his time at Vasse Felix, production increased dramatically and the flagship Heytesbury wines were introduced. Importantly, Otto proved himself to be an outstanding winemaker as his record in wine shows indicates. His duties eventually took him away from the coalface into promotional activities and, in 2005, he was told that he was no longer required.

Here followed a short, difficult period which he filled by taking on consultancy work and securing a barrel agency. He did the 2006 vintage at Central Otago’s Amisfield and was then offered the winemaker’s job at Fraser Gallop. The 16-hectare, dry-grown vineyard at Wilyabrup, was planted by Nigel Gallop from 1999. Otto was attracted by Gallop’s emphasis on quality, his determination to keep yields low, and the focus on single-site cabernet and chardonnay.

Born in Tanzania and raised in Auckland, Otto did a horticultural degree at Massey University, then worked at Matawhero. Later, Hätsch Kalberer at Fromm shared his love of European wines with Otto and he became hooked on winemaking. After three years as a horticultural rep in the kiwi fruit industry and trips to Malibu and South Africa he enrolled at Roseworthy.

What excited him most about the move to Fraser Gallop was the opportunity to become involved once more in hands-on winemaking in a situation where those working in the winery needed to interact closely with those toiling in the vineyard.

In 2006, malbec was added to the small amount of petit verdot, cabernet franc and merlot grown on the property for inclusion with the cabernet sauvignon. In 2008, semillon was planted at the urging of distributor, Garry Steele, who believed that Margaret River could produce serious, oaked semillon sauvignon blanc in the style of Bordeaux. Otto spent time during the 2009 vintage at Graves producer, Domaine de Chevalier to see at first-hand how the French tackled this white blend. The Fraser Gallop Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is bright and lively with passionfruit and tropical flavours before a crisp, zesty dry finish, while the Parterre is more restrained, complex and textural yet fresh and zingy, finishing dry and long.

The Fraser Gallop Chardonnay is in the modern style, early picked so that it is tight, lean and linear with marvellous oyster-shell complexity, savoury rather than fruity flav-ours, seamlessly integrated oak, followed by a refreshing dry finish that lingers. The Fraser Gallop Cabernet Merlot has drawn attention because of its ripe blackcurrant flavours and lush approachability. The Fraser Gallop Caber-net is a first-rate Margaret River red.
Fraser Gallop has made a bigger impact on the Margaret River wine scene than any other winery established since the region’s early days: Clive Otto has been a vital element in that success.

TEXT PETER FORRESTAL PHOTOGRAPHY FRASER GALLOP

This article is from the August/September 2011 issue of Gourmet Traveller WINE.

http://gourmettraveller.com.au/gourmet-traveller-wine-winemaker-of-the-year-2011-finalist-clive-otto-fraser-gallop.htm?rcid=10855&mode=rcid

The Light the Nitro Tour will see the band play 24 concerts throughout Australia and New Zealand from October to December.

The band has also released all of its recordings digitally for the first time with the release including 56 rare and previously unreleased tracks.

The set list will feature more than 20 of their classic songs including Khe Sanh, Flame Trees, Bow River, My Baby, You Got Nothing I Want, Last Wave Of Summer, Forever Now, Cheap Wine, Choir Girl, Standing On The Outside, Rising Sun and Saturday Night, with one or two new tracks to be showcased.

Since rising to popularity in the 70s and early 80s the music of Cold Chisel has remained an Australian favourite as shown by the appearance of two of their albums in a new Triple J listener poll of Australia’s 100 greatest albums of all time.

Cold Chisel will perform on Saturday November 26 at Sandalford Estate in Margaret River and on Sunday November 27 at Belvoir Amphitheatre in Perth.

Tickets are on sale from August 4 at www.sandalford.com.au and Ticketmaster.

But his photographic skill and artistry is only part of the reason he is among my hero list.

When I started my business nearly 4 years ago I approached Christian Fletcher with a request to provide high quality imagery of the region for my business. At the time I’d blown most of my money on other start up costs and I had nothing to offer him except a promise.

A promise to refer as many of my guests as possible to his galleries. Assuming I would even have any guests. And he embraced the idea, supplying high resolution imagery, signage, frames and enthusiasm for my endeavour.

Four years on, the MRDCo has proved itself a successful business hosting thousands of visitors to the region and I would like to think that Christian Fletcher Galleries receive more guests and more value than he ever imagined.

Christian Fletcher Galleries was one of several business that embraced the win win principle in working with The Margaret River Discovery Co. These included Blue Ginger Cafe, Cape Lodge, Seagardens and Fraser Gallop Estate. Similarly several businesses rejected the concept trying to negotiate a win/lose scenario ….. those same businesses, sadly, passed up the ongoing opportunity.

I thank Christian and all my business partners for their support and embracing the win win principle.

If you are headed down south be sure to visit the Christian Fletcher Galleries in Dunsborough, Margaret River and Mandurah. His recent work from the Pilbara and Kimberley are stunning and must been seen up close to fully appreciate.

One of the images that helped Christian win Landscape Photograper of the Year. Karlamilyi National Park is the largest national park in Western Australia and one of the largest in the world. In fact, it is more than two-and-a-half times a large as the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona. But as well as being so vast, it is also one of the most remote places in the world.

A short Youtube video of the Margaret River Discovery Co wine tours and discovery tours.

If this video does not show in this browser please google the words -
“margaret river discovery tours youtube video” and watch the video on Youtube directly.

Here is a small excerpt-

“Margaret River has the most reliable climate of all the major wine regions – indeed all – of Australia. Its latitude and the ever-present maritime influence of the Indian Ocean combine to give it high winter rainfall and a very even accumulation of heat throughout the growing season.

That accumulation of what are called Heat Degree Days is higher than that of Bordeaux (Coonawarra is closer) but not significantly so. Thus it is no surprise that the Bordeaux red varieties, headed by cabernet sauvignon and merlot, and the white varieties (sauvignon blanc and semillon) flourish in Margaret River – viewed collectively, the best in Australia.”

What a great piece of advice to consider next time you are facing a wall of wine in a bottleshop!

My general rule is that if it’s over thirty bucks, and produced in Margaret River, you can’t really go wrong.

You can join James Hallidays Wine Companion newsletter here http://winecompanion.com.au/

The Margaret River Best of the Best Wine Tour visits wineries that are Five Star rated by James Halliday, including a very special behind the scenes vineyard and winery tour at Cape Mentelle and degustation lunch in the Cape Mentelle Barrel Room.

Viticulturist Christo Edwards from Edwards wines

The winter is now with us and recent rainfall has been a welcome relief from the extended dry summer and autumn period. Those vineyards in Margaret River that have planted cover crops, now have the indication of seed establishment and we can see some fantastic germination of oats, rye, lupins and pasture mix out in the vineyards. Astute viticulturists have already completed soil samples and analysed to determine the soil mineral wealth for the cover crop and future vine requirements. Where necessary we have made some applications of the correct fertilizer to improve availability within the soil to the plants. Importantly, the cover crops that are grown through this winter and spring will eventually mulch in the soil and become the potential nutrition for vines and future cover crops… all part of the nutrient cycle.

Many growers now also use imported composts and mulches to help build soil nutrition and health in the vineyards. We can’t underestimate the value of building soil organic carbon in soil that eventually also introduce organic compounds such as humic and fulvic acid, these compounds benefit soil structure, moisture holding capacity and stimulate plant health. In most soil that has good levels of organic matter we will also have a adequate supply of nitrogen and this can be in the form of amino acids and protein, these compounds are plant available and the vines do well. The determination of soil nitrogen can be very complex and we tend towards looking at the total nitrogen in the soil as a guide. We do take into account the carbon to nitrogen ratio as an indication of available nitrogen to plants. Ideally we look for 15 parts carbon to 1 part of nitrogen as being correct and in balance. Soils that have a carbon to nitrogen ratio that favors nitrogen will be adequate for vine growth… but if there is more carbon in the ratio than nitrogen, then a fertilizer application containing nitrogen may be made to allow nitrogen for plant health. The total soil health has far reaching benefits in reducing chemical input and producing fruit of the highest quality for winemaking.

Recent rainfall has also been a perfect time to apply some selected microbiology to the soil. Microbe technology has come of age in modern viticulture and this know-how incorporates strains of beneficial bacteria, fungi and Mycorrhiza that improve soil health and interact with plants to improve plant health and performance. These microbes are generally supplied in freeze dried powder form and include nutrients that promote multiplication and establishment of cells in the soil or when brewed (similar to brewing beer or making wine). We generally brew the microbes for 24 hours to increase the number of cells and then dilute with fresh water and apply to the soil through a drencher bar in the early morning, evening or at night. It’s even better to apply these when there is rainfall occurring, so that contact into the soil is made. Where we have applied these microbes we can see an improvement in seed germination, seedling growth and plant survival. There are also complex symbiotic relationships between Mycorrhiza and grapevine roots that provide benefits to the vines with mineral uptake and general plant health. With careful management and the increase in soil organic matter, it is possible to establish and maintain effective populations of the desired “bugs” in the soil year after year. The benefit is in plant health and eventual wine quality.

With the soils in good shape and cover crops growing it is then time to turn attention to pruning. Time to break out the pruning shears, sharpen the blades and load up the i-pod with some music and podcasts for the next couple of months listening pleasure!

Pruning is the focus within Margaret River vineyards now and will continue into August until budburst occurs. We can see individuals and teams out in the cold and rain toiling away. Importantly, pruning sets the vines crop for the coming vintage and much reflection on the success of the previous growing period and wine quality as well as consideration for future crop requirements will be managed…. and then the cuts made.

Happy pruning everyone!

Cullen Winery celebrates 40 years.

1 July 2011: Degustation Dinner at Laurance of Margaret River
1 July 2011: Ben Merito Band – Settlers Margaret River
2 July 2011: Edwards Barrel Room Sale
2 July 2011: Arts Margaret River presents The Man The Sea Saw – Cultural Centre
2 July 2011: Chase the Sun plus: Cass Eager plus: Claude Hay – Settlers Margaret River
9 July 2011: Clare Bowditch – Settlers Margaret River
16 July 2011: WSET Level 1 Course – Margaret River Educational Campus
16 July 2011: A Night in New Orleans New Release Dinner at Saracen Estates
16 July 2011: Jebediah – Settlers Margaret River
22 July 2011: Skipping Girl Vinegar – Settlers Margaret River
22 – 24 July 2011: Cullen Wines celebrates 40 years!
23 July 2011: Fresh is Best Cooking Class – Cape Lodge
30 July 2011: Cabernet & Comedy with Peter Rowsthorn & Russell Woolf – Aravina Estate
31 July 2011: Capes Long Lunch Northern Region
15 – 18 August 2011: WSET Level 2 Course – Margaret River Educational Campus
20 August 2011: Light the Night for Breast Cancer – Cape Leeuwin and Cape Naturaliste Lighthouses
24 – 28 August 2011: CinéfestOZ Film Festival – Busselton
27 August 2011: Fresh is Best Cooking Class – Cape Lodge
27 August 2011: Arts Margaret River presents Often I Find That I Am Naked – Cultural Centre
28 August 2011: Capes Long Lunch Southern Region
10 September 2011: The Herd – Settlers Margaret River
20 September 2011: Arts Margaret River presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Cultural Centre
24 September 2011: Fresh is Best Cooking Class – Cape Lodge
30 September 2011: Tijuana Cartel – Settlers Margaret River
1 October 2011: Tijuana Cartel – Settlers Margaret River
8 October 2011: Howard Park Wines International Pinot Noir Tasting & Lunch
15 October 2011: Cullen Wines Annual International Chardonnay Tasting
16-24 October 2011:Margaret River Cycle Trek http://www.margaretrivercycletrek.com.au/
20 – 23 October 2011: Cape to Cape MTB – Margaret River Wine Region
25 October 2011: Arts Margaret River presents The Sum of Us – Cultural Centre
20 November 2011: Cullen Wines Annual Indian Indulgence Lunch
22 – 25 November 2011: Margaret River Wine Show
29 November 2011: Capes Art Market – Happs Vineyard & Pottery
3 or 4 March 2012: Sandalford Concert
30 April-6 May 2012: Arts Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival 2012

The majestic mammals annually embark on a staggering 13,000 kilometre round-trip as they migrate from Antarctica to breeding grounds in warmer waters off northern Western Australia between May and December each year. One of the longest migrations of any mammal on Earth, it is subsequently one of the longest whale watching seasons on Earth. The west coast Humpback population is estimated at more than 30,000, so whale watchers have a good chance of getting a glimpse of them.

Humpback Whale migrating up the Western Australian coast.

If you're planning a trip to Augusta, then visiting in early June could prove the ideal option as Humpback and Southern Right whales are often seen frolicking in Flinders Bay as they make their journey northwards, before returning south to the cold seas to grow and mature in early August. In fact, these gentle giants are quite a curious bunch; it is not uncommon for them to approach charter vessels and swim a mere few metres away from them, which makes for exhilarating viewing!

From July to October, King George Sound in Albany provides optimum viewing for Humpback and Southern Right whales, as they typically mate and calve off the south coast. If you head north to Kalbarri between June and November, then you are likely to witness the migration of Humpback whales, particularly if you make your way to prime vantage points such as Natural Bridge, Eagle Gorge and Red Bluff. Further north, between June and November, Humpback whales can be seen migrating northwards along the coast to shelter in Camden Sound on the Kimberley coast, as well as Pender Bay and the sheltered waters directly off Broome's coast, where females give birth and suckle their young.

In Western Australia you're most likely to spot a Humpback, Southern Right or Blue whale on a whale watching tour. The best time to observe these serene mammals is at midday, when the sun is directly overhead. There is an opportunity for whale spotting on both the Best of the Best Wine Tour and the Discovery Tour. We regularly spot whales from our exclusive viewpoint atop the spectacular WIlyabrup Cliffs.