There are so many unique and incredible ways to enjoy Margaret River wines when in the region. We chatted with Leah Clearwater, owner of the recently launched Margaret River Wine Academy, which offers awesome, 2 to 3 hour interactive courses for wine enthusiasts to industry professionals. Leah has a PhD in Viticulture and Oenology, is a published author and has worked across the wine industry in viticulture, marketing and education roles for more than 28 years, making her one of the most engaging and knowledgable wine communicators in the region.What is your favourite experience on offer this Autumn / Winter?
The Margaret River Wine Basics course is something I’m sure I’ll enjoy presenting year-round. In this, we highlight the regional narrative alongside seasonal activities in the vineyards and wineries. As we head into the cooler months, I’m looking forward to providing a deep-dive into the region’s hero red variety with the Cabernet – King of Cultivars course. Cabernet is by far my favourite wine and the reason I moved to Margaret River 18 years ago. Our region produces a style that stands apart from any others internationally and I’ll never tire of exploring the reasons behind this.
Who is this experience for, and what should they expect from participating in it?
The academy courses are designed to be suitable for wine enthusiasts to industry professionals. Although they cover quite technical topics, I quickly get a sense of the group I’m teaching and can tailor the content to meet people where they’re at in their wine education journey.
What is the most special aspect of the experience?
In every course I’ve delivered so far, I’ve been delighted to witness the awe and appreciation people have when learning about this special region. Whether you’ve lived here for years or are just visiting, Margaret River's unique attributes are so compelling that it is impossible not to feel inspired. People also love the wine tasting at the end. This is when they get to connect the science, the story, and the final product in the glass.
What do you love most about living and working in Margaret River?
I fell in love with Margaret River the first time I drove down Caves Road and saw the winery signs of all the brands I’d adored in the glass over the years. I can honestly say that this feeling has never left me. Sometimes I need to be reminded of how lucky I am to live and work here, but it doesn’t take much. Just talking to a visitor to the region reignites my passion. It’s a place that ticks all my boxes; amazing coastline, incredible friends, a wonderful winemaking community and the availability of bloody good wine all the time!
What is your favourite thing about sharing Margaret River wine with people?
What I enjoy is helping people discover what they love about our wines without being overly prescriptive about it. I never bombard people with tasting notes unless they ask for them. I’d prefer to guide wine tastings in such a way that intuition takes precedence over information. The technical data is always there, but the experience of the wine is always more memory-making.
Visit the Margaret River Wine Academy website.
Images by Ovis Creative.