Leeuwin Estate

Leeuwin Estate is one of five founding wineries that put Margaret River on the world wine region map. In 1980, just one year after Leeuwin’s first commercial vintage, Decanter magazine gave its highest recommendation to the “Art Series” chardonnay and the accolades have continued ever since.

Chef Dany Angove keeps Leeuwin Restaurant in the region’s upper echelons with his tight European menu. Start with charcuterie, beef tartare, or local marron before moving onto mains such as lamb ragù with pecorino, lemon and pea; and pungent Black Angus sirloin with black eggplant, mild piquillo chilli, potato, panko, pickled garlic, anchovy and capers. These dishes can also be experienced as a six-course degustation with matched wines.

Tables are set on a sweeping verandah with spectacular views of the grounds and Karri forest beyond. The stunning setting includes an expansive lawn that gently slopes amphitheatre-style toward the permanent stage with a backdrop of tall-timber trees. As much as Leeuwin Estate is as famous for food and wine, it’s famous for its events: Leeuwin Estate Concert, the summer concert series and the Margaret River Gourmet Escape.

Downstairs, under the cellar door, is an art gallery featuring more than 150 pieces including a Sir Sidney Nolan.

The site has its own private landing strip, making a day trip to Leeuwin Estate for lunch entirely possible if you own or charter a private plane, or have the lovely folk at Leeuwin Estate organise it for you.