Your ticket to the West Coast: 11 wines to try at Brisbane’s biggest WA winery showcase
A rare opportunity to taste your way around one of Australia’s most renowned wine-producing regions is coming to Howard Smith Wharves. More than 35 wineries will be in attendance at EXHILARATING Wines from Western Australia’s event this August, inviting Brisbane oenophiles to swill, sip and savour drops from some of the Margaret River’s oldest vineyards, as well as the up-and-coming new winemakers emerging on the scene. Want to know where to start? We’ve picked 11 must-try varietals from these world-class winemakers.
Welcoming winemakers from Margaret River, Great Southern, Swan Valley, Pemberton, Blackwood Valley and Geographe, EXHILARATING Wines from Western Australia is a one-day tasting experience for lovers of a great drop. With almost all of the wineries in show being family-owned and operated, the winemakers themselves will travel to Queensland to connect with east coast vinophiles and share what makes their products so special.
With over 160 possible tasting options, it’s difficult to know where one should begin. We’ve explored the catalogue to help you decant your drinking experience into a tour of some of the west coast’s best-known wineries, experienced winemakers and trailblazing bottles.
Single-vineyard rieslings from Castle Rock Estate, Margaret River
Known for its exceptional cool-climate riesling, Castle Rock Estate is giving you the opportunity to compare three of their single-vineyard rieslings from the Porongurup sub-region. Led by the winery’s second-generation custodian and inaugural James Halliday Wine Companion Winemaker of the Year 2015 winner, Rob Diletti, this is your chance to discover why he is one of Australia’s most respected cool-climate winemakers.
An acclaimed chenin blanc from Corymbia, Swan Valley
Six generations of Mann family wine wisdom go into every bottle from Corymbia. Before Rob Mann founded Corymbia with his wife, he held senior positions at Cape Mentelle, Tintara and Newton Vineyard in Napa Valley, California. The hallmark chenin blanc on show is perfect for the Brisbane lifestyle, and Rob will share contemporary cabernet expressions alongside it to renew wine lovers’ relationship with that varietal.
Australia’s most collected cabernet sauvignons and benchmark chardonnay from Moss Wood, Margaret River
You might like
Moss Wood is one of the wineries responsible for putting Margaret River on the map on a global scale. Join Hugh Mugford, winemaker and viticulturist at Moss Wood, who works alongside his parents to steward one of Margaret River’s oldest wine estates.
Here, you’ll be able to taste so many iconic wines – the Leeuwin Art Series chardonnay, Cullen Diana Madeline (a biodynamic blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot that frequently wins awards) and the Vasse Felix Tom Cullity (a cabernet malbec blend). Sample the cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay that Moss Wood is best known for and explore wines that have garnered a global reputation.
Ouvo nebbiolo cabernet and Ouvo chardonnay from Cherubino, Margaret River
Named for the giant, concrete egg-shaped fermenters in which these wines are made, Matt Godfrey is sharing his deep understanding of premium wine production with tasters at this year’s showcase. The eponymous label of Larry Cherubino, the winery continues his tradition of families making wine for families, as inspired by his Italian heritage.
With close to two decades of experience, Matt is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Margaret River, and this is your moment to pick his brain while you sample the 2023 nebbiolo cabernet and 2025 chardonnay.
Premier Brut blanc de blanc from Idée Fixe, Margaret River
Brendan Carr of Idée Fixe is sharing one of Australia’s most exciting sparkling wines, pouring a Premier Brut blanc de blanc made entirely from Margaret River chardonnay using a traditional method. With over 20 vintages of experience, Brendan is a respected wine show judge and award-winning winemaker.
Heritage cabernet and cabernet sauvignon from Cape Mentelle, Margaret River
Meet David Moulton – a true Margaret River local. Discovering a passion for viticulture early in life thanks to working in local vineyards, David has garnered plentiful experience working across wineries in Victoria and France before returning home to join Cape Mentelle in 2014.
Sample the winery’s newly released Heritage cabernet and enduring cabernet sauvignon and learn how some of the oldest vines in Margaret River are cared for.
Subscribe for updatesSingle-vineyard chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon from Domaine Naturaliste, Margaret River
After earning a master’s degree in viticulture and oenology and gaining decades of experience working locally and internationally at wineries such as Pierro (Margaret River) and Francis Ford Coppola’s Niebaum-Coppola winery (California), Bruce Dukes founded his own winery. At Domaine Naturaliste, science meets craftsmanship, bringing Bruce’s vineyard-first philosophy to life.
Bruce will be sharing single-vineyard chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon that best capture Margaret River’s purity and diversity.
Single-vineyard chardonnay and Rhône-inspired reds from McHenry Hohnen, Margaret River
Bringing an Italian perspective to the Margaret River, Jacopo “Japo” Dalli Cani has worked in Bordeaux, the Barossa Valley, New Zealand and now Margaret River, where his minimal-intervention approach flourishes. Nowadays, you’ll find him at McHenry Hohnen creating certified biodynamic wine.
At this tasting, you can discover how Japo’s influence has shaped McHenry Hohnen’s single-vineyard chardonnay, alongside some Rhône-inspired red varietals including Syrah and the renowned Rolling Stone blend.
Classic varietals from Hay Shed Hill, Margaret River
Michael Kerrigan’s speciality is unlocking the potential of mature vines, and this is a talent he has brought to Hay Shed Hill, along with his meticulous vineyard knowledge. Since establishing the winery among leading producers in Margaret River and becoming a finalist for the Qantas Winemaker of the Year award, Michael has continued producing wines recognised for their elegance and regional character. What’s more, you’ll get your very own taste of this as he shares some of the region’s classic varietals, carefully crafted to be balanced and very drinkable.
Fumé blanc, chardonnay, grenache, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon from Borello Vineyards, Margaret River
With a 20-year legacy and a reputation for balanced yet expressive wine, Paul Atwood will showcase Borello Vineyards’ diversity at EXHILARATING Wines from Western Australia’s Brisbane showcase. Taste your way around the vineyard with a sampling of vibrant fumé blanc and chardonnay, as well as grenache, shiraz and cabernet sauvignon.
Southside and Wilyabrup chardonnays and renowned cabernet blends from Lenton Brae, Margaret River
Leading Lenton Brae’s winemaking, Vanessa Carson blends technical precision with an approachable, collaborative style. Dux of her winemaking class, Vanessa has amassed extensive international experience across regions in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and Australia before returning home to Western Australia. Here, you can compare tasting notes on the Southside and Wilyabrup chardonnays, followed by Lenton Brae’s acclaimed cabernet blends from Witchcliffe, right in the heart of Margaret River.
The EXHILARATING Wines from Western Australia showcase is open at Howard Smith Wharves from 5:30–8:30 pm for the Golden Hour Showcase. A VIP upgrade is available to extend this tasting time with early access and an intimate guided tasting experience led by Erin Larkin (the Australian reviewer for the bimonthly wine publication, Robert Parker Wine Advocate).
To secure your tickets for an afternoon well spent amongst some of Australia’s leading winemakers, book tickets here before August arrives.
Want to see more stories from InDaily Qld in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily Qld as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily Qld". That's it.