The Margaret River Fine Vines Festival is a chance to savour the grape!

Held over 10 days and at various venues across the region from 20-29 October we invite you to join us on a journey of discovery.

There are plenty of events for every kind of budget. Because after all, world-class wine does not mean out-of-this-world prices.

Our region’s producers are committed to making the world of wine accessible to everyone, with offerings under $100, including intimate tastings and masterclasses to free gatherings in the name of wine.

If you’re seeking the pleasure of a wine-laden weekend without the price tag, explore our range of budget-friendly events. And scroll to the bottom of the blog for a list of ‘free entry’ events, allowing you to purchase as you go, based on your specific budget.

 

Events Under $100

Women in Wine in Witchy  Sunday 22 October

Join four of the South West wine world’s leading ladies for an afternoon of sipping and snacking in Witchcliffe. Converge on the terrace at the Witch and Windmill in Witchcliffe and enjoy high tea-inspired snacks from local artisans while you sip on small batch wines.

Cath from Arlewood, Liv and Mij from South by South West and Sharon and Alex Peters from Amato Vino will be on hand to chat through their wines and what it’s like to be a woman in wine in here the Margaret River region.

Willespie Cabernet Tasting   Saturday 21 October

Dive into forty years of sensational wine over four tastings with a grand tour through Willespie’s Cabernet Sauvignon. This unique tasting event, focusing on one single varietal, offers a robust understanding of Margaret River’s most renowned and loved grape, Cabernet Sauvignon.

Come to understand how a great Cabernet ages over time, as the Willespie team dive deep into their cellar, showcasing a Cabernet Sauvignon from each decade between the 1980s and now. During the tasting light lunch will be served on the balcony overlooking the Willespie vines.

 

Patisserie Meets Passel Estate Saturday 28 October

Indulge in beautifully crafted treats alongside equally beautiful wines when Maison Lassiaille teams up with Passel Estate.

Explore the lush grounds of Passel Estate through a progressive wine tasting enjoying award-winning, single-vineyard wines including the rare and exclusive Lot 71 Reserve wines and a museum vintage, all paired with decadent high tea treats with vegetarian options available.

Roam at your own pace or let owners Barry and Wendy Stimpson lead the way, all to a soundtrack of live, classical music. Dress in your most elegant garden party attire but remember to bring appropriate footwear for the vineyard and trails.

Petit Pet Nat Party Thursday 26 October

For the lovers of Pet Nat, the Pet Nat party goes petit this year to offer just 30 guests an exclusive showcase of Western Australian Pet Nats in the Bungalow Wine Room.

Guided by a local wine maker Rhys Parker of Dunsborough urban micro winery Vallee du Venom, you’ll get to taste 6 Pétillant Naturel wines from wineries such as Vallee du Venom, Brave New Wines and L.A.S. Vino, famed for their light fizz and fresh aromatic expression, matched to canapés from the Bungalow kitchen over the course of the evening.

An intimate yet casual affair.

 

SkinSea Saturday 28 October

An unforgettable wine and seafood safari awaits you at Bungalow Social. Traverse through a curated selection of skin contact wines from beloved South West wineries including Vallee de Venom, Black Cocky Wines, Skigh Wines and LS Merchants, to name a few.

Spend your Saturday afternoon sipping your way around the venue, then venture to the seafood station and choose from an array of coastal creations including lobster rolls, prawn cocktails, fresh oysters and seafood skewers to enjoy with your skin-contact wines.

DJs will be spinning vinyl throughout the afternoon and into the evening so stay on for an afternoon of skinsy drops and delectable bites.

 

Busselton Wine Hop Saturday 21 October

This progressive wine tasting through Busselton’s city centre is a multi-stop, self-guided wander where you’ll meet and greet with a swag of Margaret River region wineries at your own pace.

Busselton’s best venues will host several small-scale producers including Credaro, Black Cocky Wines, Churchview Estate, Di Latte Estate, Brookland Valley, Morlet Wines, Vallée du Venom, Cha Cha Wines, Wines of Merritt, Corymbia, Altair Estate, Skigh Wine, Capel Vale Wines and Passel Estate for a low key day of vino and fresh air.

Spaghetti Disco – Wine Hop After Party  Saturday 21 October

Keen to keep on dancing after your time around town on the Busselton Wine Hop? Or just love all things disco and/or Italian and looking for a fun Saturday night?

Join us upstairs at Shelter for the official Busselton Wine Hop After Party; Shelter’s take on Spaghetti Disco (an Italian dance music sub-genre) is all about embracing the flavours of Italy and taking a step back to the disco era of the ‘70s.

DJ Cuppa Tea will spin her favourite disco tunes as you explore a dedicated wine list focussing on Italian varietals grown in Margaret River. A Meatball Sub special to help soak up those tastings from earlier in the day. Guests are encouraged to dress in glitter, jewels, and bright prints.

 

Brunch at the Bazaar Sunday 29 October

Let your taste buds take you on a journey through the Middle East with Inspired Feasts and Mandoon Estate Wines over an exotic, 4-course tasting menu paired with the Mandoon Margaret River range of wines.

Crafted by Inspired Feasts using locally sourced produce, each course will be paired to a carefully curated selection of wines to complement each plate in front of you. Taste Mandoon’s award-winning range of Reserve Sparkling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Merlot made right here in Margaret River.

Free Events

Skip the ticket all together with our free entry events.

 

Strings With Vin Sunday 22 October

Spend a glorious Spring afternoon in the stunning gardens of Skigh Wines listening to the contemporary sounds of string quartet, Dolce Ensembles.

Bring along a picnic or purchase a grazing board from Skigh’s selection of local cheeses to enjoy alongside their much-loved wines. Perfect for a relaxed-paced afternoon with a stunning soundtrack.

 

The Orange Party Sunday 22 October

Head to LS Merchants for volume two of their energetic orange immersion. Gather at their Treeton cellar door as LS assembles their friends from the region to pour a selection of their finest orange wines for you to enjoy.

Dive into the world of skin contact whites and see why they are making waves in the wine world. Food will be available for purchase from local food truck with DJ sets from LS Merchants and friends.

Dressing in orange attire is encouraged.

Open Vineyards Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October

No cellar door normally means no visitation. But for one weekend, Fine Vines Festival has your exclusive invitation to get behind the gate and go between the vines to meet the makers at wineries and vineyards generally not open to the public.

Meet the makers behind some of your favourite Margaret River Region wines and get to understand their own wine making process, right where the magic happens.

 

Margaret River Main Street Takeover  20-29 October

Taste the best of the Margaret River Wine Region in one central location this Fine Vines. From 20-29 October, Margaret River Main Street’s iconic restaurants and bars will join the festivities offering their own unique experiences.

From wine-by-the-glass offers to curated wine lists and opportunities to meet the makers, you can discover a range of Fine Vines wines and experiences right in the heart of Margaret River townsite this October.

The Margaret River Wine Region is brimming with winemakers, wine educators and sommeliers just waiting to pour their wealth of knowledge into your glass, and this year’s Fine Vines Festival is the perfect way to deepen your wine understanding.

Whether you’re just starting your journey or are looking to take your understanding of this world-class region to the next level, there’s an event to suit your level. Here are a few of the ones we’ll be checking out.

Play Your Chards Right: Friday 20 and Sunday 22 October

What is malo? How does oak influence Chardonnay? And why is Margaret River’s climate so perfect for growing Chardonnay?

Learn how to properly taste this iconic Margaret River style in a masterclass with local winemaker and wine educator Charlotte Newton.

Discover the nuances that contribute to the versatility of this flagship white grape, tasting six Margaret River Chardonnays while undertaking a blending exercise using barrel samples, all under Charlotte’s guidance. The best blend takes home a bottle of Charlotte’s own label, ChaCha Chardonnay.

Book Play Your Chards Right

Busselton Wine Hop: Saturday 21 October

This progressive wine tasting through Busselton’s city centre is a multi-stop, self-guided wander where you’ll meet and greet with a swag of Margaret River region wineries at your own pace. Busselton’s best venues will host several small-scale producers, each on hand to share their wine and passion. Accumulate wine knowledge, taste and compare or just enjoy a low key day of vino and fresh air.

Wineries involved in the day include; Credaro, Black Cocky Wines, Churchview Estate, Di Latte Estate, Brookland Valley, Morlet Wines, Vallée du Venom, Cha Cha Wines, Wines of Merritt, Corymbia, Altair Estate, Skigh Wine and Passel Estate.

Want to your Saturday afternoon to keep going into the eve? Join the Shelter crew for Italian Disco – the official Wine Hop After Party!

Book Wine Hop

Behind the Bubble: Saturday 21 October

Have you ever found yourself wondering how they put the sparkle in sparkling wine? This Spring, craft your own bubbles with acclaimed Howard Park winemaker and sparkling wine specialist, Nic Bowen.

Follow the process from barrel to bottle with a winery tour exploring the ins and outs of tirage, disgorging and dosage. Put your skills to the test by creating the perfect sparkling wine.

Book Behind the Bubble

Somm Trek: Saturday 21 October

Uncover your next favourite drop, with the help of a Somm to decode the wine speak. This is the insider’s insider tour: a five-hour, sommelier-hosted vineyard trek with one of WA’s most respected sommeliers and wine educators, Foni Pollitt.

Criss cross the region visiting Windows Estate, Swings & Roundabouts, Marri Wood and Marq Wines with informed commentary from Foni about the wines you’re tasting and the region. Grazing platters await you at Windows Estate with lunch following at Swings & Roundabouts to top off your afternoon.

Book Somm Trek

In Conversation with Andrew Caillard MW: Thursday 26 October

Join author of The Australian Ark, Andrew Caillard MW, for a fireside In Conversation chat with co-publisher Angus Hughson at Voyager Estate. Scheduled for release in November, The Australian Ark is an epic three-volume tome that tells the story of Australia’s wine history from 1788 to the modern era.

Upon arrival, enjoy a selection of Voyager Estate wines and canapés to savour as the conversation begins to flow. A special event for those wanting to deepen their Australian wine knowledge as well as the Margaret River context.

Book In Conversation

Open Vineyards: Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 October

No cellar door normally means no visitation. But for one weekend, Fine Vines Festival has your exclusive invitation to get behind the gate and go between the vines to meet the makers at wineries and vineyards generally not open to the public. You’ll get to go behind the scenes at some of your favourite Margaret River Region wines and get to understand their own wine-making process – right where the magic happens.

Buy bottles and get the inside scoop from your favourite small batch producers including Burnside Organic, Jilyara, Frazer Woods, Cloudburst, Trait Wines and more.

View the Open Vineyards blog