Business Details
22 Years
experience
Award-Winning Wines & Immersive Tasting Experiences in Busselton
Established in 2004 by Neil and Cathy Howard, Whicher Ridge is a family-owned winery rooted in sustainable viticulture and artisanal winemaking. With over 50 years of combined experience, we cultivate vineyards in Western Australia's Margaret River, Geographe, and Great Southern regions, prioritising eco-conscious practices. Our small-batch wines reflect the terroir of ancient soils, while our Wine Sensory Garden offers an immersive experience unique to Australia.We champion hands-on techniques, from composting vineyard waste to traditional basket pressing, ensuring each bottle embodies quality and environmental stewardship. Our vineyard stays and seasonal events, like Sow + Sip, invite guests to engage deeply with our philosophy of 'Energy, Strength, and Power' in every aspect of our craft.
Services
Wine Tasting
Wine Sensory Garden Tour
Sow and Sip Events
Vineyard Stays
Wine Club Membership
Cellar Door Sales
Seasonal Garden Experiences
Educational Workshops
Gift Vouchers
Wine Deliveries
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- Over 50 years of combined winemaking experience.
- Sustainable farming practices preserving the environment.
- Unique Wine Sensory Garden for immersive tastings.
- Small batch wines from Margaret River's finest regions.
- Vineyard stays for an immersive wine experience.
What people say
Excellent sensory experience
Knowledgeable and generous hosts
Stunning sensory garden
Educational and enjoyable
Delicious wines and platters
Services
Wine Tasting
Our guided wine tastings, led by winemaker Cathy Howard, offer a curated selection of 5 wines from our Odyssey Garden and Single Vineyard ranges. Guests can choose to enjoy the experience at the cellar door bar, on a sofa, or at a shared table. Each tasting includes insights into our sustainable practices and small-batch winemaking techniques, with optional gourmet platters from local cafe Hippo Lakes. The sessions highlight the terroir-driven flavours and pairing potential of our wines.
Wine Sensory Garden Tour
The Wine Sensory Garden, Australia's only one of its kind, features Descriptor and Affinity Beds planted with flora that mirror wine aromas and pairings. Guests can self-guide or join a tour led by Cathy Howard to explore how these plants enhance wine appreciation. The garden's design, themed around seven wine varieties, educates visitors on flavour profiling and food pairing. This immersive experience combines horticulture and oenology, ideal for wine enthusiasts and garden lovers alike.
Sow and Sip Events
These bi-monthly events blend gardening and wine tasting, allowing participants to sow seasonal seeds while enjoying Whicher Ridge wines. Each session focuses on herb, flower, or vegetable varieties suited to the current season, guided by our team's expertise. The events are educational and social, set in the Wine Sensory Garden. Attendees gain practical gardening tips and learn how to pair wines with homegrown produce, fostering a deeper connection to both viticulture and horticulture.
Vineyard Stays
In collaboration with Heyscape Tiny Cabins, we offer vineyard stays in three eco-friendly cabins overlooking our vineyards. These stays provide an immersive experience into vineyard life, including behind-the-scenes insights into grape growing and winemaking. Guests can participate in exclusive tastings, explore the Wine Sensory Garden, and enjoy the tranquillity of rural Western Australia. The stays cater to those seeking a blend of luxury, education, and direct engagement with our sustainable practices.
Handpicked Wine Club
The Handpicked Wine Club offers members exclusive access to small-batch, pre-release, and museum wines. Benefits include 20% off all purchases, free shipping, and discounted experiences like the Pick + Sip Tour. Members commit to purchasing 24 bottles annually, with flexible selections every six months. The club also provides seasonal offers and vintage-specific events, fostering a community of wine enthusiasts connected to Whicher Ridge's evolving story and terroir-driven philosophy.
People
Cathy Howard
Winemaker
Cathy Howard, co-owner and winemaker, brings decades of expertise from roles at Orlando Wines and St Hallett Wines. Her philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention and traditional techniques, such as extended yeast lees contact. She champions natural additives and labor-intensive methods to enhance wine complexity, balancing fruit expression with structural integrity.
Neil Howard
Vigneron
Neil Howard, co-owner and vigneron, has over 30 years of experience managing vineyards in Australia's Pyrenees and Margaret River regions. He advocates sustainable biological practices, including composting and habitat preservation to encourage biodiversity. His approach minimizes chemical use, focusing on soil health to produce high-quality grapes that reflect their terroir.
Polly
Customer Happiness Manager
Polly, a black kelpie, serves as Whicher Ridge's welcoming presence. Known for her enthusiasm, she greets visitors at the cellar door and accompanies Neil on vineyard tasks. Her role embodies the winery's friendly, inclusive ethos, ensuring guests feel at home while promoting a relaxed, dog-friendly environment.
Questions
Can I bring my dog to Whicher Ridge?
Yes, we welcome friendly, leashed dogs. Our Wine Dog, Polly, ensures a warm reception for all four-legged visitors.
What makes the Wine Sensory Garden unique?
It's Australia's only garden designed to pair wine aromas and flavours with specific plants, enhancing tasting education through immersive horticulture.
Are vineyard stays available?
Yes, in partnership with Heyscape Tiny Cabins, offering three eco-friendly accommodations overlooking our vineyards for an immersive experience.
What benefits does the Handpicked Wine Club offer?
Members enjoy 20% off wines, exclusive releases, free shipping, and discounted experiences, with flexible biannual selections.
How do Sow and Sip events work?
Bi-monthly workshops where guests sow seasonal seeds while tasting wines, combining gardening education with food-and-wine pairing insights.
What regions do your wines come from?
Our grapes are sourced from Margaret River, Geographe, and Great Southern in Western Australia, each contributing distinct terroir characteristics.
Reviews (3)
Melissa Laurie
Oct 25, 2021
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Sensation winery. If you are looking for wines that have texture, flavour intensity, length and balance then this is your place.
Cathy & Neil are exceptional at producing high-quality wines. I find their wines to be full of varietal and terroir specific flavours. The wines also pair well with food, I especially like the Cab Sauvignon. I would highly recommend!
Cathy & Neil are exceptional at producing high-quality wines. I find their wines to be full of varietal and terroir specific flavours. The wines also pair well with food, I especially like the Cab Sauvignon. I would highly recommend!
Casey Bryan
May 26, 2019
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A must visit winery down south. Whicher Ridges wine sensory garden is a must see for all wine lovers. If youre looking to taste and buy top quality wine, youve come to the right spot
Jennifer Mallen
Oct 07, 2018
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This is the most amazing winery in WA, truely special with its sensory Garden. Throughful in every way. The owner herself spent time showing us around and explaining each part of the sensory garden. Thank you for the best experience.
