Woodlands Wines
Nestled in the heart of Wilyabrup in Western Australia’s famed Margaret River wine region, Woodlands is a family-owned winery known for crafting elegant, age-worthy wines with a strong nod to Bordeaux tradition. Since its establishment in 1973, the Watson family has built a reputation for producing some of the finest Cabernet blends in the country, with a philosophy rooted in minimal intervention and respect for the land.
Woodlands Wines Story
Woodlands Wines is one of the true pioneers of the Margaret River wine scene. Founded in 1973 by David and Heather Watson, it was among the first handful of vineyards planted in the region—well before Margaret River became known as one of the world’s great wine-producing areas. With a passion for Bordeaux-style reds and a deep belief in the potential of the local terroir, the Watsons set out to make wines of structure, finesse and longevity.
Their gamble paid off. Today, Woodlands is a name synonymous with premium Australian wine, especially for its Cabernet Sauvignon and classic red blends. The estate remains family-owned and operated, with sons Stuart and Andrew Watson now at the helm. Stuart serves as winemaker, bringing a blend of traditional techniques and modern precision to the wines, while Andrew manages the business side, making sure their story and their bottles reach the right hands around the world.
Why Margaret River Cabernet is World-Class
The winery is based in Wilyabrup, right in the heart of the Margaret River region. This subregion has become internationally recognised for its ideal grape-growing conditions, particularly for Cabernet Sauvignon. Thanks to its gravelly loam soils, maritime climate, and long, mild growing season, Wilyabrup produces fruit with power, balance, and elegance. The ocean breezes cool the vines during the day and night, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly, resulting in wines that are rich yet refined.
One of the things that sets Woodlands apart is its commitment to dry farming and organic vineyard practices. The estate has never used irrigation, which encourages the vines to send roots deep into the soil and results in more concentrated, flavourful fruit. They also avoid synthetic chemicals in the vineyard, instead focusing on the health of the soil and the ecosystem that supports the vines. It’s a hands-on, low-intervention approach that reflects their respect for the land and their desire to produce wines that express a true sense of place.
In the winery, everything is done with the same level of care and attention. Fruit is hand-picked, sorted, and fermented in small open-top tanks, with regular hand-plunging to gently extract flavour and tannin. The wines are matured in the finest French oak, selected carefully to enhance complexity without overpowering the fruit.
Explore the Woodlands Wine Range
Their flagship wines are among the most celebrated in Australia. The ‘Margaret’ is a Cabernet Merlot blend named after the region, showing grace, structure, and beautiful ageing potential. The ‘Matthew’ is a single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon that regularly scores among the country’s top reds. And the ‘Chloe’—a Chardonnay named after Stuart’s daughter—is an elegant, textural white that showcases the finesse of Margaret River Chardonnay. Each of these wines is made in limited quantities and often sells out quickly on release.
Beyond the core range, Woodlands also produces a selection of Reserve and Estate wines, crafted from specially selected parcels of fruit. These offer a deeper dive into the nuance and variation of each vintage and block. Whether it’s a silky Merlot, a vibrant Cabernet Franc, or a structured blend, there’s a level of craftsmanship and consistency that runs through everything they produce.
Woodlands has earned international recognition not only for the quality of its wines but for its authenticity. The family’s personal touch is evident at every level of the business, from the vineyard and the winery to their welcoming cellar door just off Caves Road. The cellar door experience is intimate and informative—an unpretentious chance to taste award-winning wines while looking out over the vines they came from.
Now, with their wines available right here in Perth, it’s easier than ever to enjoy the best of Margaret River without making the trip down south. Whether you’re looking for a standout bottle to add to your collection or a local favourite to enjoy with dinner, Woodlands offers wines that deliver both character and class.
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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.