Cool to cold climate/Elevation 5-35m This beautiful stretch of coastline may well become Australia’s pre-eminent Pinot Noir region. Certainly the wines of Freycinet illustrate the extraordinary promise of this capricious grape variety. Centred near the fishing port of Bicheno, famous for abalone, and the early penal colony of Maria Island, the soils are generally granitic with a high iron content. The best vineyards lie in protected slopes as the prevailing cold south and southeast winds can hinder growth. The Moulting Lagoon, a substantial body of water, moderates the microclimate particularly in autumn. Frost is non-existent and rainfall is erratic. Andrew Caillard MW, Langton's

Cool climate/Elevation about 170m Pemberton is a pioneering wine region with great potential. It is located in Western Australia's southwest where the deep red loams and high rainfall give rise to a majestic karri forest. The first grapes were planted in 1977, with commercial plantings expanding throughout the 1980s. The climate here is markedly cooler and slightly wetter than the Margaret River growing season. The region experiences slightly fewer sunshine hours, although it is also maritime influenced. Soils are typically brown loams derived from gneissic rock. The terrain is quite undulating with stands of karri. This region is unproven, although Pinot Noir is particularly promising. It is also well suited to the production of refined Bordeaux style wines. Andrew Caillard MW, Langton's

Cool to warm climate/Elevation to 150m The major WA wine regions are the Swan Valley, Margaret River and the Lower Great Southern. The multi-district Western Australian blend is a rare beast. Howard Park’s Western Australian Cabernet Merlot is an example of a highly successful house style, making a wine with superb fruit definition, opulence and flavour. The fruit is sourced from the Lower Great Southern and Margaret River. The idea of a multi-district blend counters the trend of making single vineyard or single region wines. It is highly likely, with the increasing cost of vineyard land within the now established regions, for wineries to source outside fruit. Evans and Tate (who are well regarded) have significant vineyard developments on the fringe of Margaret River. Andrew Caillard MW, Langton's