Leeuwin Estate is a family-owned pioneer of Margaret River, renowned for its flagship Art Series wines. Guided early by advice from abroad, the Horgan family set out to craft world-class bottles from a cool, maritime site a few kilometres from the Indian Ocean. Gravelly, well-drained soils and long, even ripening seasons favour precision and freshness, while low yields from mature parcels underpin depth and longevity. In the cellar, careful sorting, barrel fermentation and measured élevage emphasise texture, purity and balance rather than overt oak.

Art Series Chardonnay is a modern benchmark: citrus blossom, white stone fruit and preserved lemon layered with roasted nuts, subtle spice and a fine, chalky line. Art Series Cabernet Sauvignon showcases blackcurrant, bay leaf and cedar with refined tannins and exceptional length. The range also includes vibrant Sauvignon Blanc–Semillon, Riesling, Shiraz and sparkling releases, all marked by clarity and poise.

Beyond wine, Leeuwin’s commitment to the arts is integral, commissioning contemporary works for its labels and hosting much-loved concerts alongside a destination restaurant and cellar door. Sustainable farming, biodiversity plantings and careful water stewardship reflect an estate philosophy that prizes place, detail and enduring elegance.

The Margaret River wine region, located in Western Australia’s southwest, is renowned for producing premium wines of exceptional quality. With a Mediterranean climate, it enjoys warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, providing consistent ripening conditions. Cooling afternoon sea breezes from the Indian and Southern Oceans help maintain acidity and extend the growing season, enhancing flavour complexity.

The region’s ancient soils are predominantly gravelly loams over clay, offering excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture to sustain vines through summer. This combination supports balanced vine growth and concentrated fruit expression.

Margaret River’s signature grape varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Semillon, alongside Merlot and Shiraz. Cabernet Sauvignon often displays cassis, blackberry, and fine tannin structure, while Chardonnay is typically elegant and refined, with flavours ranging from citrus and stone fruit to nutty, toasty notes from oak maturation. Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blends are vibrant and aromatic, offering tropical and citrus fruit with crisp acidity. Shiraz tends to be medium-bodied, with spicy red berry and plum characters.

Wine styles from Margaret River are celebrated for their purity of fruit, finesse, and age-worthiness. The combination of climate, soil, and skilled winemaking has established the region as one of Australia’s most respected and consistent producers of world-class wines.

Chardonnay is one of the world’s most popular and versatile white grape varieties, originating from the Burgundy region of France. It is a relatively adaptable vine, thriving in a range of climates and soil types, making it widely planted across the globe. Chardonnay ripens early to mid-season and is known for its ability to express terroir, as well as respond well to a variety of winemaking techniques, including oak ageing and malolactic fermentation.

Today, Chardonnay is grown in nearly every major wine-producing country. In France, it shines in Burgundy’s Chablis (crisp, mineral-driven) and Côte de Beaune (rich, complex), and is also a key component of Champagne. In the New World, regions like California, Australia (Yarra Valley, Margaret River), New Zealand, and Chile produce diverse expressions, ranging from lean and citrusy to full-bodied and buttery.

Cool-climate Chardonnays tend to show green apple, lemon, and flinty notes, while warmer regions yield riper flavours like tropical fruit, peach, and melon. Oak-aged Chardonnays may exhibit vanilla, toast, and nutty characteristics, while unoaked versions highlight freshness and purity of fruit.

This remarkable flexibility makes Chardonnay a favourite among winemakers and wine lovers alike, offering a wide spectrum of styles and flavours.