Start with the grapes
Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are regional signatures, but they are only the beginning. Explore ten individual guides, then the smaller-volume varieties below.
- Cabernet Sauvignon — red grape.
- Chardonnay — white grape.
- Sauvignon Blanc — white grape.
- Semillon — white grape.
- Shiraz — red grape.
- Chenin Blanc — white grape.
- Merlot — red grape.
- Malbec — red grape.
- Cabernet Franc — red grape.
- Petit Verdot — red grape.
Beyond the familiar
The regional association describes more than forty varieties. This guide identifies 29 from published regional and vineyard evidence; it is not a complete current planting census. Descriptions below explain general grape characteristics, not guaranteed local bottle styles.
| Grape | What to know | Evidence and availability |
|---|---|---|
| Tempranillo | Red; often savoury, with cherry or plum notes. | Regional association overview |
| Grenache | Red; often fragrant and red-fruited. | Regional association overview |
| Sangiovese | Red; typically bright acidity and savoury cherry notes. | Regional association overview |
| Fiano | White; often textured, with citrus and nut-like notes. | Regional association overview |
| Vermentino | White; usually a fresh, dry style with citrus notes. | Regional association overview |
| Mourvèdre | Red; may contribute structure and savoury character to blends. | Regional association overview |
| Nebbiolo | Red; often fragrant, with marked tannin and acidity. | Regional association overview |
| Graciano | Red; can bring freshness and fragrance to a blend. | Regional association overview |
| Albariño | White; commonly citrus-led and fresh. | Regional association overview |
| Pinot Noir | Red; generally lighter in colour, with red-fruit aromas. | Recorded in the 2020 survey; current availability unverified |
| Pinot Gris / Pinot Grigio | Two names for the same grape; style can range from light to textured. | Recorded in the 2020 survey; current availability unverified |
| Verdelho | White; often aromatic, with tropical or citrus fruit. | Recorded in the 2020 survey; current availability unverified |
| Viognier | White; known for stone-fruit and floral aromas. | Recorded in the 2020 survey; current availability unverified |
| Marsanne | White; often valued for body and texture. | Recorded in the 2020 survey; current availability unverified |
| Riesling | White; typically aromatic with pronounced acidity; sweetness varies. | Recorded in the 2020 survey; current availability unverified |
| Touriga Nacional | Red; associated with fragrance, colour and structure. | Recorded in the 2020 survey; current availability unverified |
| Muscat à Petits Grains Rouges | A dark-skinned Muscat with distinctly grapey aromas. | Recorded in the 2020 survey; current availability unverified |
| Muscat à Petits Grains Blancs | A white Muscat; sweetness depends on the wine style. | Recorded in the 2020 survey; current availability unverified |
| Muscat Gordo Blanco | An aromatic white grape also known as Muscat of Alexandria. | Recorded in the 2020 survey; current availability unverified |
Margaret River Wine Association’s variety overview supports the emerging-variety entries. The additional historical entries come from Wine Australia’s 2020 regional survey, pages 6–7. That report is dated evidence, not a claim that every planting remains today.
Grapes are not the same as wine styles
Rosé is a style made using red grapes, not its own variety. Sparkling describes a wine with bubbles. A blend combines grapes; Sauvignon Blanc–Semillon and Cabernet–Merlot are useful examples to compare with single-variety wines. Shiraz and Syrah name the same grape, as do Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio.
Is every wine sold here grown here?
A winery’s address and the origin of its grapes are different things. Check the region on the bottle and ask the producer about the vineyard. A local cellar door may also pour wines from elsewhere.
Make a tasting plan
Choose one familiar grape and one you have not tried. Ask about dry versus sweet styles, the role of oak and whether a wine is a blend. Contact the winery before travelling for a rare variety; small parcels and tasting selections change.