What to Expect 

Vasse Felix may be one of the most revered names in Australian wine, but you’ll find that there’s no barrier for entry here in terms of your wine knowledge. Wherever you are on the estate you’ll find that the team are passionate but not elitist. There’s no assumption of what you know and what you don’t, just expert guides talking you through what makes this place special. From the early years of the estate to its neighbours and the characters who defined the nascent wine region, you’ll come to understand how it became world renowned, albeit with many decades of toil.

From your vineyard walk you step into The Vault, an underground, temperature-controlled wine cellar, built by the estate’s founder Tom Cullity. Less rustic than it would have been back in the day, it’s now home to every Cabernet vintage, including a bottle from 1972 – the last remaining of Margaret River’s first ever Cabernet. It’s behind glass in The Vault area, a private tasting room where the main event happens.

Taking a seat around the tasting table, Estate Sommelier Evan Gill (or one of his expert team) lead a guided tasting through current vintages within the Vasse Felix Wine Collection. They buck the trend of many tastings starting with Cabernet and working through to Chardonnay. An innovation that Gill and chief winemaker Virginia Willcock came up with as it best suits the profile of their wine. While there’s a good degree of appreciating what’s in your glass there’s also an opportunity to delve into more practical advice on ageability and cellaring.

Having got a sense of the estate’s history and dedication to excellence, your final stop is upstairs in the Vasse Felix Restaurant. Award-winning and much feted over its decades-long tenure it holds a coveted three-stars with WAGFG. The five-course tasting menu is focused on seasonality, premium local produce, and an innovative culinary outlook from award-winning Head Chef Cameron Jones. Paired with Icon wines it’s a perfect end to your experience.

What’s Special

The opportunity to taste with Evan Gill or one of his team is a highlight here. As with everything at Vasse Felix they don’t take half measures, so your guide isn’t just briefed with crib sheets, they’re a part of the wider team, interacting with guests but also the wider team of viticulturists and winemakers. There’s rarely a question they can’t answer. Tasting back vintages of Vasse Felix Cabernet and Chardonnay at the source is an experience that you’ll revisit every time you drink a glass, wherever in the world you are.