It's the exceptionally fine fruit quality of the Great Southern region and the combined skill and artistry of viticulture and winemaking that provides the West Cape Howe wine drinker with a truly memorable experience. The West Cape Howe winery was founded in 1997 and soon became one of the most popular wine brands in Western Australia. It has acquired some of the oldest vineyard resources in the state, giving it unequalled access to the best and most consistent quality fruit that the cool Great Southern region has to offer.
The winery and cellar door is situated in the heart of Mount Barker, in the midst of the oldest vineyard planting in the Great Southern region. West Cape Howe's driving philosophy is to make delicious wines of harmony, balance, structure and flavour - wines that people love to drink!
Where does West Cape Howe source most of its fruit?
The Great Southern region is the most vast and diverse in Australia, stretching 150km north to south and 100km east to west. Its five sub-regions range from inland continental conditions - ideal for fine Riesling and cool Shiraz - to coastal maritime conditions - ideal for elegant Chardonnay and classy Cabernet. West Cape Howe sources fruit from three of these sub-regions, inland Mount Barker and Frankland and coastal Albany. To Western Australians, the name West Cape Howe conjures images of one of the most dramatic and spectacular coastlines in the country. ‘The Cape’ is the most southerly point in the state and is dotted with secret sheltered coves, majestic rocky outcrops and stretches of pristine white beaches. West Cape Howe Wines was named after this landmark giving respect not only to the natural beauty of the region, but also in recognition of the extreme influence of the Southern Ocean on the region's viticulture. As history tells, the first recorded exploration of the south coast of WA was by Dutch explorers aboard their ship 'Gulden Zeepaard', meaning Golden Seahorse. The West Cape Howe Wines twin seahorse logo depicts the partnership between wine and the region, with the world globe nestled between the two, again symbolic of the explorers' endeavours.
Did you know...
After moving to the Great Southern in the late 1980s for what was expected to be perhaps a two year stint, Gavin Berry has just completed his 25th vintage! “I haven’t found anywhere else that delivers what the Great Southern can,” explains Gavin.
- Gavin Berry, Chief Winemaker