Wine Regions
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Named after and centred on the town of Manjimup, the region is situated immediately north of the Pemberton region and extends westward for 20 kilometres (12 miles), 60 kilometres (37 miles) east to Perup and 20 kilometres (12 miles) north to Wilgarup. The dividing line with Pemberton is largely based on soil type, topography and elevation, with Manjimup having red gravelly loams and an elevation of 200 to 300 metres (656 to 984 feet) and Pemberton, being lower, with heavier black and much less gravelly loams.
The climate is influenced by two oceans, the Indian and the Southern. It has some similarities to Margaret River, although at a higher altitude it is more continental. Cold winters provide true vine dormancy, and plentiful spring rainfall promotes good budburst and early growth. The relatively dry but stress-free summer and autumn conditions are no less favourable.
The best soils of the region belong to the Kennan-Queenup series of sandy, gravelly loams created over millions of years by the erosive effects of the Warren River and its tributaries. An ironstone lateritic gravel layer several metres below the ancient surface has eroded so that the gravel has been mixed with red soil formed from the underlying granite to produce a red, gravelly loam.
As with the adjacent Pemberton region, large areas are heavily forested and, on average, only 25 percent of the region is suited to, or available for viticulture. On the other hand, to the extent that irrigation is necessary, there is an abundance of clear, salt-free water available from the streams and rivers that continue to flow throughout the summers.
Wineries
Batista, Chestnut Grove, Peos Bros, Piano Gully Vineyard, Sinclair Wines, Stone Bridge Estate and Yanmah Ridge.
If you would like to have your winery included in this list, please email awbc@awbc.com.au.
Wine Notes
Chardonnay
All other white varieties are dwarfed by this grape and there is little or no likelihood of much change in the future. The wines are elegant, light to medium bodied, with the melon, citrus flavours of the cooler grown Chardonnay. It is still to be seen whether more mature vines will bring increased structure and intensity to the wines.
Verdelho
This wine has a greater freshness and more zingy acidity here than is found elsewhere in Western Australia, yet it retains its tropical flavours and rounded mouthfeel.
Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
John Gladstones has observed that both mean temperatures and sunshine hours are very close to those of Bordeaux, although temperature variability is a little greater and humidity a little less. He went on to say, "The wines produced from appropriate grape varieties should be very much in the mainstream of Bordeaux style." It is thus no surprise to find that Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot dominate the plantings and that some very appealing and elegant Cabernet Merlot blends have been produced.
Pinot Noir
Quality and style will be strongly dependent on vintage, but it has already been demonstrated that if conditions are favourable, Pinot Noir with good varietal character and ample weight and texture can be achieved. Restricting the yield and berry size and bunch weight will be of paramount importance.
Vital Statistics
| Manjimup 1915-2003 | |
| Map Coordinates | 34° 15'S 116° 09'E |
| Altitude | 200-300 m (656-984 feet) |
| Heat degree days, Oct-Apr | 1492 (cut off at 19°C (66.2°F) but otherwise not adjusted) |
| Sunshine hours, Oct-Apr | 1535 |
| Annual rainfall | 1022 mm (40.2 inches) |
| Growing season rainfall | 279 mm (11 inches) |
| Mean January temperature | 20.05°C (68 °F) |
| Relative humidity, Oct-Apr, 3 pm | Average 48% |
| Harvest | Mid Mar-May |