It is interesting that all three of  Margaret River Pioneers were doctors, and followed Gladstones papers, whilst some 4 hours drive further East in the Frankland River region, Merv and Judy Lange established Alkoomi in 1970, without even having drunk wine! Their 3,000 acre sheep farm, inherited from Merv’s father was not commercial so it was decided to experiment with some grapes and wine, which Merv himself made for the first 10 years, before employing professional wine makers.

Alkoomi now stands as one of the largest wineries in the area. Producing some 80,000 cases. They are justly famous for their Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Shiraz whilst their Blackbutt and Wandoo are world class. Having had the privilege to try some of their older vintages, the 1993 and 1988 Rhine Riesling stands out as a stunning example of  how well these wines age, offering huge intensity of flavours, beautiful structure and a lingering honey and lime finish.

Alkoomi’s Blackbutt series are made to a Bordeaux Blend, and offer pure class and in certain vintages such as 1996 and 1999, are without doubt some of the finest wines from Australia. This is a family winery; still run by Merv and Judy, who are some of the most down to earth, friendly and generous people you could wish to meet.

Merv still has no time for intellectuals like Gladstones and prefers to use his own judgement, a true and very successful farmer, who forges ahead with ambitious modern plants, all under a very tightly controlled purse. Again behind every successful pioneer there has been an equally successful wife and with Judy you have a solid backbone.    

Other great vineyards in this area include Plantagenet, founded in 1968 by Tony Smith. Top vineyards to look out for are Forest Hill where the superstar wine maker Larry Cherubino has just arrived having  been prized away from Houghton by the owner Tim Lyons (one of Perth’s top Stockbrokers). It was actually here in 1965 that the first experimental vineyard was planted. Also look out for Old Kent River, Ferngrove, Trevelen Farm & Wadjekanup River Wines.