Robert Oatley
Robert Oatley Wines
Robert Oatley Wines is a celebrated name in Australian winemaking, revered for crafting premium wines that showcase the unique characteristics of Western Australia’s renowned wine regions. With a focus on Margaret River and Frankland River, the family-owned winery has built a legacy of excellence underpinned by meticulous craftsmanship, sustainable practices, and a passion for quality.
A Family Legacy of Excellence
Founded in 2006 by the late Robert (Bob) Oatley AO, the winery draws on decades of winemaking expertise. Bob Oatley’s contributions to Australian wine began in the 1960s, and his family has carried this legacy forward with a commitment to producing wines that reflect the best of their regions. Today, the winery is led by Sandy Oatley and a talented team, including award-winning winemaker Larry Cherubino, whose deep understanding of terroir-driven winemaking ensures that each bottle is a true reflection of place.
Margaret River: A Maritime Gem
Margaret River, located along Western Australia’s pristine coastline, is one of the country’s premier wine regions. Often likened to Bordeaux for its maritime climate, Margaret River enjoys a long growing season, moderated by cooling breezes from the Indian Ocean. This results in grapes with optimal ripeness, vibrant acidity, and fine balance.
Robert Oatley’s wines from Margaret River, particularly their cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, are exemplary. Their cabernet sauvignon, a regional hallmark, boasts classic blackcurrant, cassis, and fine tannins, making it a standout on the global stage. Chardonnay, another regional speciality, shines with its balance of citrus brightness and subtle oak integration. Wines like The Pennant and Signature Series are celebrated for their elegance, depth, and capacity to age beautifully.
Frankland River: A Showcase of Structure and Finesse
Frankland River, part of the broader Great Southern region, offers a cooler, more temperate climate than Margaret River. This climate, combined with gravelly soils, is ideal for varieties like cabernet sauvignon, shiraz, and riesling. The diurnal temperature shifts allow grapes to ripen slowly, developing concentration and complexity while retaining freshness.
Robert Oatley’s wines from Frankland River are a testament to the region’s potential. Grapes are sourced from exceptional sites, including the historic Justin Vineyard, home to 50-year-old vines. These low-yielding vines produce fruit with remarkable intensity, resulting in wines like The Pennant Cabernet Sauvignon. Crafted using traditional techniques such as hand-picking, extended maceration, and up to 22 months of ageing in French oak, these wines are lauded for their soft tannins, depth, and tremendous length. With only six barrels produced in some vintages, they are as rare as they are exquisite.
A Commitment to Craft and Sustainability
Robert Oatley Wines is deeply committed to sustainable viticulture, ensuring that the vineyards are cared for with minimal environmental impact. This focus on sustainability preserves the health of the vines and soil, safeguarding their ability to produce exceptional wines for future generations.
The winery’s dedication to quality extends to every stage of production. From berry-by-berry sorting to rigorous barrel selection, each step reflects the meticulous craftsmanship that defines Robert Oatley’s approach. This has earned the winery a host of accolades, including consistent high scores from The Real Review and Halliday Wine Companion.
Celebrating Regional Excellence
The dual focus on Margaret River and Frankland River allows Robert Oatley Wines to celebrate the diversity of Western Australia’s terroirs. While Margaret River contributes richness and vibrancy, Frankland River offers structure and finesse. Together, they create a portfolio that honours the region’s potential and the Oatley family’s enduring legacy.
Robert Oatley’s wines are a testament to the art of Australian winemaking. Whether it’s the classic cabernet sauvignon from Margaret River or the poised elegance of a Frankland River shiraz, each bottle invites wine lovers to explore the best of Western Australia.
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Learn About Western Australian Wine Regions
Encompassing the The Swan Valley, Chittering & Surrounds the key varietals grown here include Shiraz, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc & Verdelho.
What you might not know is it is Australia’s 2nd oldest wine region and has the hottest climate of any wine region in Australia. It is actually too hot here to produce certain varietals like Pinot. So, if you find one here, the fruit will probably be from down south.
Being on the doorstep of Perth we often forget it’s only a 25 minute drive from the city. We are so lucky to have a major wine region so close to the city.
An untapped resource that we are excited to showcase. We encourage you to take a drive up through the Bickley Valley. Not only are there some great wineries, but it’s a lovely drive with some fantastic views!
Most wineries here in the Bickley region are quiet young and a little different, with some varietals somewhat uncommon in WA. It has its own microclimate, producing differences in a Cabernet or Shiraz found down on the coastal plain. Up here you will find other varietals like Durif, Tempranillo, Mourvedre, and some Pinot Noir & Merlot.
The region stretches from Jarrahdale, through Bickley and the undulating landscapes of the Darling scarp.
The first commercial vineyard began operation in 1974 by Peel estate, which is still there today and producers some wonderful wines! Shiraz is the area’s strong suite.
The sea breeze comes much sooner than the swan valley keeping the temperatures a little cooler. Unfortunately, a region with few wineries that have a cellar door at present.
The Ferguson Valley and surrounds sits about 15 mins East of Bunbury and is home to a number of small boutique wineries. It’s majestic rolling hills, and the changes between the prevailing summer easterlies to the afternoon sea breeze makes for a diverse set of microclimates.
The region also encompasses the coastal plain, and down to Donnybrook providing different styles. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon & Sauvignon Blanc are the kings of this area, but wineries are experimenting with new plantings.
World renowned Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay live here, but there is still diversity in the climate that creates different styles from a winery 30km North of Margaret River, to 15km’s south of Margaret River.
There are 70 wineries with a 5 star rated (James Halliday) Cabernet. Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon are also strong in the area. Margs wipes other Australian regions off the table when they blend a Sauvignon Blanc and a Semillon.
If you have not been a fan of Chardonnay in the past, I suggest you give it another go. Styles change, and the regions Chards is rated amongst the best in the country.
Situated to the East & West of Bridgetown the area is exposed to cooler temperatures and a higher elevation compared with Margaret River.
The Blackwood Valley mainly produces quality aromatic Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. You can expect to find a vivid shiraz full of black fruits, and a textured, medium-bodied cabernet sauvignon. There are much fewer wineries in the Blackwood Valley compared with Margaret River.
The first vineyards in the region were established in 1976 and the area is now home to several award-winning wine producers and grape growers who supply some of Australia’s finest restaurants.
This is Karri Forrest country, and the rich soil is loved by Vineyards and Avocado’s galore! Its cool and wet in Pemberton for about 6 months, receiving far more rainfall than most other wine regions in WA.
The area can receive over 1.2 meters of rain per year. It is not uncommon in summer for Perth to be Sunny and 33c, while Pemberton is partly cloudy with cool ocean breezes from the South East and only 24c.
This lush soil combined with cool weather helps Merlot, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay thrive here, and keep an eye out for a lovely floral Cabernet Franc as well.
Much debate has been had over splitting up the Manjimup and Pemberton regions. Manjimup has a warmer climate and less fertile soil whereas Pemberton’s soil is richer.
The Warren River runs through the middle to split up the regions. The area is reasonably young in plantings, dating back to the late 80’s. The wines produced in this area are Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and a few Cabernet Franc’s. For me, the Manjimup and Pemberton regions produce the states best Merlot. If you haven’t been a Merlot fan, it could be you are yet to try one from these regions.
The biggest single wine region in Australia – I bet you did not know that! There is such diversity in terrain, climate and soil type that just about anything thrives down here.
Denmark, Mount Barker and the Porongurup’s are the key areas, Some of WA’s finest Shiraz comes from north of Denmark in the Frankland River area, while most of Australia’s best Rieslings come from the Porongurup’s. Just ask James Halliday who says it himself!
Due to the sheer size of The Great Southern and its varied terrain, it has the capacity to produce world-class wines from a range of classic varieties. Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc & Chardonnay. There are 5 star wineries littered throughout the region. I need no convincing in taking a trip to Denmark for their wineries.