Western Australia · Sub-regions
Geographe
Geographe lies between Bunbury and the Darling Ranges, benefiting from Indian Ocean sea breezes. It produces elegantly fruity wines that are gaining increasing international recognition.
Grape Varieties
Chardonnay, Shiraz
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Most Famous Site
Ferguson Valley
Vineyard Area
650 ha
Harvest
February – March
TERROIR PROFILE · Western Australia
Geographe Coastal cool climate · versatile
Geographe — smaller, often underrated region south of Perth. Capel Vale, Willow Bridge.
SOILS
Loambody-rich, velvety
Loamy soils give wines volume and a soft, velvety mouthfeel.
Sandstonewarm, dry, spicy
Sandstone warms quickly and yields ripe, fragrant wines with yellow fruit and fine spice.
Gravel / Sandlight, approachable
Gravel and sand drain heavily — vines struggle for water, wines turn fine, light and elegant.
CLIMATE · Maritime
Maritime-mild, similar to Margaret River but slightly warmer.
TOPOGRAPHY · gentle
Coastal plain and hills south of Perth.
WHAT IT MEANS IN THE GLASS
Typical Flavours of the Region
Chardonnay
WhiteSauvignon Blanc
WhiteCabernet Sauvignon
RedMerlot
RedSyrah
RedRegion aroma cloud
Western Australia overview
This sub-region is part of Western Australia. The map shows all 9 sub-regions — Geographe is highlighted.
Overview
Typical Varieties
Terroir & Climate
Wine Character
Geographe is an emerging wine region between Perth and Margaret River. The 650-hectare area benefits from cooling sea breezes from Geographe Bay and produces elegant, fruit-forward wines. Ferguson Valley is the heartland, surrounded by the dramatic hill country of the Darling Ranges. Chardonnay, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon here show an accessible, fresh style. The region is popular as a weekend getaway for Perth residents and has established itself in recent years as an independent wine region with its own character. Local producers like Capel Vale have gained international attention.
Soil Type
Granite and gneiss in the hills, deep sandy soils near the coast
Climate
Mediterranean with strong maritime influence; cooler than Margaret River; adequate rainfall
Top profiles
1 detailed profiles — all filterable in the list below
All Wineries
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Frequently Asked Questions
How does Geographe differ from Margaret River?
Geographe lies north of Margaret River and is slightly warmer and less well-known. The wines are more accessible and better value without sacrificing quality. Ideal for explorers who already know Margaret River.
Which grape varieties define Geographe?
The key grape varieties in Geographe are Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The best-known vineyard is Ferguson Valley.
When is the best time to visit Geographe for wine?
The harvest in Geographe takes place February – March – when vineyards and cellars are busiest. May to July suits tastings without harvest bustle; many estates open their tasting rooms off-season by appointment.
What does the terroir of Geographe taste like?
Soils: Granite and gneiss in the hills, deep sandy soils near the coast. Climate: Mediterranean with strong maritime influence; cooler than Margaret River; adequate rainfall. Together they shape structure, acidity and aromatics – see the terroir profile above.
How many wineries are there in Geographe?
Cellarmap lists 5 wineries in Geographe across roughly 650 hectares of vines. Every profile shows location, contact, grape varieties and, where available, vineyards, classification and visitor information.
Which is the most famous vineyard in Geographe?
Ferguson Valley is regarded as the most famous vineyard of Geographe. The vineyard overview on this page shows which estates farm it.
📖 Look up in glossary
All terms →Related wine terms — clearly explained in the Cellarmap glossary.