Stretching across the forested landscapes of Western Australia’s South West, the Pemberton and Manjimup Wine Regions offer an experience unlike anywhere else in the state. Located within the Shire of Manjimup, around three-and-a-half hours south of Perth (Boorloo), these two distinct landscapes span the breadth of towering karri and jarrah forests, as well as rolling farmland and fertile valleys.
Here, vineyards sit alongside ancient trees, seasonal orchards, and productive farmland, while cool-climate conditions produce wines known for their elegance, freshness, and character. From flavoursome Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, to deep, rustic Sauvignon Blanc and premium sparkling’s, the wines produced here reflect the unique lands that have shaped them. Places of forest walks, exceptional local produce, truffle experiences, country hospitality, and the slower pace of life that invites savouring both moments and memories.
Discover the Pemberton and Manjimup Wine Regions
The Pemberton and Manjimup Wine Regions are two distinct wine regions that lie within the broader Southern Forests destination, each with its own character and landscape.
Although relatively young, with the first commercial vineyards planted in the mid-1980s, the regions have established a strong reputation for cool-climate wines. Their southern latitude, elevation, and proximity to the Southern Ocean create mild summers, cool winters, and a long growing season, allowing grapes to ripen slowly while retaining natural acidity. The result is wines with balance and complexity, that linger long after your last taste.
The vineyards are predominantly boutique and family-owned, making a visit to a Pemberton and Manjimup Wine Regions cellar door a chance to meet the people behind the wine, hear the stories of their vineyards, and taste wines alongside unique local produce. From black truffles, to marron, avocados, cherries, apples, pears, and chestnuts, no matter the season there is an abundance of seasonal produce.
The Wines Of The Pemberton And Manjimup Wine Regions
Cool-climate conditions are central to the character of Pemberton and Manjimup Wine Regions’ offerings, with a diversity of options for all palettes.
Pinot Noir
One of the region’s signature varieties, the Pemberton and Manjimup Wine Regions’ wines can range from vibrant and fruit-driven to complex and structured. The distinct acidity and freshness Pinot Noir is known for is develops easily thanks to the cool growing conditions.
Chardonnay
Also performing exceptionally well, both Pemberton and Manjimup Wine Regions produce wines with natural acidity, texture, and elegance. Depending on the producer and winemaking style, Chardonnay here can range from bright and citrus-driven, to richer and more complex.
Sauvignon Blanc
This white thrives in the region’s cool climate, producing fresh, aromatic wines with lively acidity. These pair perfectly with local marron, or dishes featuring fresh local vegetables.
Conditions in the Pemberton and Manjimup Wine Regions are also particularly well suited to premium sparkling wine, with the long, cool, growing season allowing grapes to retain the acidity and structure required for quality sparkling production. Beyond these varieties, you’ll also find a growing diversity of wines across the two regions, making exploring cellar doors an opportunity to discover something unexpected.
Experience The Pemberton And Manjimup Wine Regions Through the Seasons
One of the best things about visiting the Pemberton and Manjimup wine regions is that there is no single “best” time to go.
Each season brings a different experience, from spring vines bursting into life, to winter truffle season and cosy afternoons with a glass of Pinot Noir.
Spring: A Season Of Renewal
As winter loosens its grip, the vineyards awaken. Tiny buds emerge along the vines from September, unfurling into vibrant green shoots as the days grow longer.
For winemakers in the Pemberton and Manjimup Wine Regions, spring is a season of anticipation and preparation for the vintage ahead. For visitors, it is a beautiful time to explore the cellar doors, walking trails, and forests, as the Southern Forests and Valleys burst back into life.
Take a scenic drive and stretch your legs on one of the region’s hiking trails to experience the landscape that makes these wines so distinctive, before settling in for a decadent wine tasting.
Summer: Long Days Among The Vines
Summer brings energy to the vineyards as the grapes progress toward ripeness. Warm days are tempered by cool nights, helping the fruit retain a natural acidity while developing flavour and structure.
Beyond the vineyards, summer is a celebration of local produce. Orchards are filled with cherries and stone fruit, potato paddocks stretch across the farming landscape, and long golden evenings invite visitors to linger just that little longer.
It is a season made for leisurely cellar door lunches, vineyard picnics, forest adventures, and discovering fresh local produce at its peak.
Autumn: Harvest And Celebration
Welcome to vintage season, when a year’s work in the vineyard finally comes together.
In the early morning, crews can be spotted moving through the rows, harvesting grapes. While winemakers prepare to transform the ripened fruit into the next vintage. Depending on the variety and season, harvest can continue from late summer into autumn, bringing a sense of energy and celebration to the vineyards.
Autumn is also a spectacular time to explore the wider region too. Orchards and farms produce apples, pears, chestnuts, and pumpkins, while the forests begin to shift into rich autumn colours. Combine a cellar door visit with a scenic drive and experience one of the most picturesque times of year.
Winter: Forests, Truffles, And Pinot Noir
In the vineyards of the Pemberton and Manjimup Wine Regions, winter slows the pace. Vines are pruned and prepared for the next growing season and visits turn inwards to the cosy cellar doors. In the forests and farmland, however, another season is just beginning: truffle season.
From June through August, visitors come to the Southern Forests and Valleys to experience Australia’s renowned black truffles. Hunts with truffle dogs, seasonal dining, and wine pairings offer a unique way to connect with the region’s food and agricultural heritage.
After a day exploring truffle farms and cellar doors, there is something particularly inviting about settling beside a crackling fire with a hard-earned glass of Southern Forests Pinot Noir.
Wine tasting in Pemberton
At the heart of the region’s wine story is Pemberton, home to some of the Southern Forests and Valleys’ pioneering vineyards and surrounded by Western Australia’s most spectacular karri forests.
Rather than following a single wine trail, visitors can create their own itinerary, combining cellar doors with forest walks, scenic drives, local produce, and wellness experiences.
Between tastings, explore nearby attractions such as Beedelup Falls or Pemberton Pool. Discover the region’s extensive network of walking and cycling trails. Or relax in warmth at the Pemberton Floating Sauna. Visit the Cascades for a peaceful forest picnic or simply take the time to explore the drive through the towering karri forests.
For wine lovers, there are plenty of cellar doors to add to your itinerary.
Visit Ampersand Estates near Pemberton, where premium cool-climate wines are produced alongside onsite-crafted gin and vodka. The estate’s gourmet picnics and Botanical Gin Garden offer a distinctive way to spend an afternoon.
At Pemberley of Pemberton, discover a family-owned vineyard producing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and sparkling wines. Drop in to the cellar door for a casual tasting or try an intimate, by-appointment wine experience for personalised tastings and the opportunity to connect with the people behind the vineyard.
If you can, make time for Hidden River Estate, a boutique vineyard producing cool-climate Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. Its cellar door and restaurant offer seasonal dining to taste the region through the lens of a small, hands-on producer.
At Mountford Wines in Channybearup, explore one of the Southern Forests’ pioneering organic vineyards. Alongside its wines, the estate produces organic cider and features local art in its gallery.
While for a memorable meal, head to Chefingos at Forest Lodge Resort just north of Pemberton. Seasonal local produce features in contemporary dishes, while wine can be enjoyed overlooking the lake where kangaroos are often spotted grazing nearby.
Wine, Truffles and Local Produce In Manjimup
The Manjimup wine region offers a different perspective on Southern Forests and Valleys wine country, where vineyards sit within one of the state’s most productive agricultural landscapes.
Internationally recognised for its black truffles and premium produce, Manjimup boasts a strong connection between wine, food and farming.
At Truffle Hill, discover the estate’s vineyards and iconic truffière, before enjoying a food and wine experience showcasing the estate’s famous black truffles. It is an opportunity to see first-hand how produce translates from paddock to plate.
Just south of Manjimup, DeiTos Vineyard Wines is a boutique family vineyard producing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Its welcoming cellar door offers visitors the chance to taste wines alongside locally grown produce and discover the family’s approach to sustainable viticulture.
For a broader taste of the region, stop at Tall Timbers Manjimup. This iconic regional dining experience offers an extensive selection of local wines alongside a menu celebrating fresh, seasonal produce.
Wine is only one part of the story though – Manjimup is also the Food Bowl of the South West. Marron, avocados, cherries, chestnuts, apples, pears and seasonal vegetables are all produced in abundance, and well worth shopping for a local farmers market.
Exploring Manjimup is a reminder that wine is part of a much bigger food story, shaped by the soil, climate, farmers, and producers of the Southern Forests and Valleys.
Make A Weekend Of It In The Pemberton and Manjimup Wine Regions
While the Pemberton and Manjimup wine regions can be explored on a day trip from Perth, the best way to experience this unique South West spot is to slow down and stay a little longer.
Spend a day exploring Pemberton’s towering karri forests, walking trails, and boutique cellar doors. Stop for a sauna, a delicious dinner, and a restful night. Then wake to fog and warm coffee, before making your way towards Manjimup to discover wine, truffles, and the region’s exceptional produce.
Follow a forest road to a boutique cellar door, taste Pinot Noir beneath towering karri trees, pair local Chardonnay with seasonal produce, discover famous black truffles, or spend an afternoon exploring the forests and trails.
Take time to stop at roadside produce stalls, explore local attractions, enjoy a long lunch, or simply take the scenic way round. It’s not a region to rush through, but one to explore at a leisurely pace.
Whether you’re planning a dedicated wine weekend, a food-focused girls’ getaway, or simply looking for another reason to explore Australia’s South West, the Pemberton and Manjimup wine regions offer plenty to discover.
Here, every season tells a different story, and every glass reflects the landscape from which it came.
