Our Region
The Great Southern Wine Region
Rugged beauty, rich history and world-class cool-climate wines.
Plantagenet Wines is proudly located in the heart of the Great Southern wine region of Western Australia – an area renowned for its rugged beauty, rich history and world-class cool-climate wines.
Established in 1968, Plantagenet embodies the pioneering spirit of Mount Barker, which was first settled in 1829 and stands among Western Australia’s earliest inland communities. As a pioneer of Mount Barker, the oldest sub-region of the Great Southern, we’ve been part of this remarkable landscape for more than half a century.
Stretching across five distinct sub-regions, the Great Southern is Australia’s largest wine region by area and Western Australia’s second-largest grape producer. Here, forested cliffs meet rolling pastures, ancient granite outcrops and rich ironstone soils, creating an extraordinary environment for growing premium wine grapes.
Cool-Climate Excellence
The Great Southern wine region is defined by its cool-temperate, maritime-influenced climate – ideal for crafting refined, expressive wines.
Long, sun-filled days are tempered by cooling afternoon breezes from the nearby Southern Ocean, while chilly evenings preserve the delicate aromatics and natural acidity essential to premium cool-climate styles.
Among the five sub-regions of the Great Southern, Mount Barker – home to Plantagenet – stands out for its distinctive climatic conditions.
Mount Barker, Our Home
Located 35km inland and sitting at an elevation of 300 metres, Mount Barker receives less direct ocean influence than its coastal neighbours. This results in significantly cooler nights, enhancing diurnal temperature variation. That natural cooling slows ripening, locks in acidity and intensifies flavour – key hallmarks of Riesling, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon grown here.
This unique balance of sun, sea breeze and elevation gives Mount Barker wines their structure, elegance and age-worthiness. It’s why Plantagenet has proudly called this sub-region home for over 50 years – and why we remain committed to crafting wines that speak authentically of place.
Our Vineyards
Our estate-owned vineyards – Wyjup and Rocky Horror – span a total of 156 acres of vines, each planted on distinctive Marri soils (gravelly sandy loams over clay or ironstone). These ancient soils, paired with meticulous vineyard management, low yields and sustainable practices, contribute to the outstanding quality and longevity of our wines.
Minimal irrigation encourages deep root systems, building resilience and allowing the terroir of Mount Barker to shine through in every vintage.
Wyjup Vineyard
Established 1971 | 55 acres
The beating heart of Plantagenet, Wyjup sits 40km southwest of Mount Barker. With mature 50-year-old vines and diverse microclimates, it consistently produces fruit of exceptional depth and character for our Estate and Wyjup Collection wines.
Wyjup Vineyard
Established 1971 | 55 acres
The beating heart of Plantagenet, Wyjup sits 40km southwest of Mount Barker. With mature 50-year-old vines and diverse microclimates, it consistently produces fruit of exceptional depth and character for our Estate and Wyjup Collection wines.
Rocky Horror Vineyard
Established 1999 | 101 acres
Named for the massive boulders unearthed during site preparation, Rocky Horror combines striking terrain with superb gravel-loam soils. It’s our largest vineyard, contributing generously to our red wine portfolio with structured, powerful fruit.
Rocky Horror Vineyard
Established 1999 | 101 acres
Named for the massive boulders unearthed during site preparation, Rocky Horror combines striking terrain with superb gravel-loam soils. It’s our largest vineyard, contributing generously to our red wine portfolio with structured, powerful fruit.
