2017 marks 50 years since the first planting of commercial vines in the Margaret River wine region. 

In 1967 Perth cardiologist Dr Tom Cullity planted the first vines on his land at Vasse Felix, Margaret River’s founding wine estate.  He established Vasse Felix following the identification by Dr John Gladstone, an agronomist with the Western Australian Department of Agriculture, of the area around Margaret River as a suitable location for a premium wine region.  

The now-famous paper published in the mid-1960's identified Margaret River as a perfect place for premium wine.  Gladstone wrote; “… I believe Margaret River will with time become one of the world’s great wine regions."

And how right he was.

Today the region is internationally recognised as a premium producer of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.  It also produces a signature style of wine with the blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc.  While a relatively small producer of Australian wine, producing just 3.5%, the Margaret River region is responsible for a massive 20% of the premium wine that leaves the country. 

Since 1987 the Vasse Felix estate has been owned and operated by the Holmes à Court Family.  All grapes are grown within the estate’s four specialty vineyards which are located at premier sites throughout Margaret River 

To mark its 50th anniversary, in 2017 Vasse Felix will release a new icon wine, the TOM CULLITY Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec. 

The Vasse Felix estate offers numerous wine, culinary and historical tours and experiences in its Tasting Bar, Restaurant, Wine Lounge, Art Gallery and new museum space The Vault (which opened this month).

We offer a wide range of Margaret River Ultimate Winery Experiences.  For a real Margaret River indulgence, our selection of experiences designed in collaboration with ExperienceSmith; the Margaret River Ultimate Day Experience, the Margaret River Ultimate Overnight Experience and the Ultimate Margaret River Explorer; each offer truly unforgettable food and wine journeys, taking in winery experiences at Ultimate Wineries Leeuwin Estate, Vasse Felix and Voyager Estate.