The well-draining soils derive primarily from granitic and gneissic ironstone, over which laterite has formed. Only 3% (6,000 hectares) of the 213,000 hectares of land that represent the Margaret River wine region is planted with vines. Around 46% is covered with native forest and the rest is mostly farmland and a few townships. Most of Margaret River’s vineyards lie on Forrest Grove type soils (with predominating iron stone gravels) or a combination of Forrest Grove and Mungite (sandy loams and gravels). The soils in Margaret River tend to merge, creating various transitional profiles and, as a consequence, vineyard sites all have their own individual characteristics. Vineyard elevations in the region range from around 3m to 140m. Most are found at elevations between 40m and 140m. In 1999 Dr John Gladstones proposed six sub-regions: Yallingup & Carbunup in the north, Wilyabrup and Treeton in the centre, Wallcliffe, which ribbons across the south, and Karridale in the far south. Vignerons and winemakers generally describe their vineyard locations in these terms.
Soils, Voyager Estate
148 The Wine Journal – 2023
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