The world of travel will be opening up very soon as countries roll out aggressive vaccine plans for their populations. Australia’s Margaret River region, a popular destination among South-East Asian travellers, has added new eco-friendly accommodation, cellar doors in distinct settings and a whole lot of love in all its offerings for the luxury traveller.
Eco-Friendly Accommodation in Margaret River Region
Barn Hives in Yallingup
Imagine fitting a black square peg in a field of green. The black square peg here is a two-story open plan living, self-sustained eco-pod with a private deck and the field of green is a vineyard. The six eco pods in Yallingup are ideal for a quiet getaway and essential if one wishes to wake up with views of vineyards.
Barn Hives’ sustainable credentials are in its eco-friendly design and minimal impact on its surrounding environment. Attention has been paid to sunlight and cross-ventilation when constricting these pods. Water is collected from rainfall and heated by solar panels making it self-sustainable. Beyond the surrounding vineyard, explore Smiths Beach, the various wine estates in the Margaret River region and a wide range of outdoor activities.
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Petit Eco Cabin in Yallingup
The single timber Petit Eco Cabin in Yallingup is nestled into the trees by the lake, overlooking an organic vineyard and is designed to allow you to slow down and reconnect with nature.
In an effort to minimise the impact on the environment, the cabin was positioned to take advantage of the Northern sun and cooling sea breezes. It captures and stores its own rainwater, greywater is recycled onto the newly planted fruit trees, and a solar hot water system provides the cabin’s hot water.
While at the estate, vineyard tours by the owners of Windows Estate and picnics in the open surroundings help you slow down. The organic vineyard and family-run winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon and Chenin Blanc, traditionally processing the wines by hand almost every step along the way. The estate takes a minimal intervention approach, where they aim to showcase the fruit’s quality without making adjustments or additions to the wine while making it.
New Cellar Doors in Margaret River Region
LS Merchants Cellar Door
Winemaker Dylan Arvidson opened the doors to a brand new LS Merchants cellar door in Cowaramup over summer (Dec 2020). Tastings consist of a selection of current release LS wines with the occasional limited release and back vintage wine on tasting and all releases available to purchase.
Production is small, and the experimental wines are usually only one or two barrels, made from almost 20 different varieties, styles and blends from fruit grown in Margaret River, Ferguson Valley and The Great Southern.
The approach to winemaking here is wild fermentation where possible and a lot of experimentation; the former to express the varietal characters, the latter to push conventional winemaking boundaries and produce interesting and enticing styles.
A: 163 Treeton Road North, Cowaramup, WA, 6284, Australia
Read More: Margaret River Wine Food And Adventures In Nature
Grace Farm, Wilyabrup
Grace Farm’s new cellar door opened on December 27, 2020. The intimate space allows the winemaker to offer a personalised wine tasting experience.
Grace Farm is a young vineyard that is experiencing great success and winning awards on regional, national and international levels. The vineyard sits in the prime wine-growing sub-region of Margaret River, Wilyabrup, where ideal conditions undoubtedly contribute to the grapes’ quality.
A: 741 Cowaramup Bay Road, Gracetown, WA, 6284, Australia
Marri Wood Park, Yallingup
Marri Wood Park Cellar Door is now open for wine tasting. Visitors can expect a relaxed and truly memorable experience set amongst natural bush atop their biodynamic, family-run vineyard. There is no fee to try all of their wines, including the popular Sparkling Chenin Blanc, naturally sparkling Pet-Nat, SB, SBS, Chenin and Cab Sav.
Marri Wood Park is a boutique family-run and owned, Demeter certified biodynamic vineyard. Their biodynamic philosophy utilises sustainable practices: no chemicals, no pesticides, no irrigation and no fertilisers. The result is hardy vines that produce high quality, robust and delicious grapes.
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The berries are hand-picked and sorted, lightly pressed and fermented in an array of fermenters (including clay amphoras, French and Austrian oak barrels) to produce the highest-quality wine. Book ahead to be greeted with a complimentary cheese platter, or just drop in. They look forward to welcoming you.
A: 28 Whittle Rd, Yallingup WA 6282, Australia
Featured Image credit, clockwise: Horse riding in Margaret River, Australia, www.margaretriver.com ; Winter Accom (Empire), Image by Elements Margaret River, www.margaretriver.com ; Blackwood River Houseboats in Margaret River, Australia, www.margaretriver.com ; Vasse Felix, Image by Russell Ord Photography, www.margaretriver.com ◼
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© This article was first published online in Jan 2021 – World Travel Magazine.