Hidden Gems: Boutique Full-Day Wine, Farm & Lunch Tour

The best thing about this Margaret River day is its range. You are not parked at wineries from morning to afternoon. You feed alpacas and emus, eat scones at a farm, taste chocolate and olive oil, pause beside the Indian Ocean, and then settle into three small wineries. Dani and Ziggy are warm, entertaining guides who add local stories without making the day feel like a lecture.

I especially like the farm breakfast and the lunch at Olio Bello. The first gives the morning a friendly start, while the second turns a wine stop into a proper farm-to-plate meal. The small group, capped at 11 people, also makes it easier to speak with winemakers and fellow passengers.

The main consideration is pace. Seven hours is a long day with many stops, and the wine tastings can add up quickly. The chocolate tasting is brief, and the coastal stop lasts only 15 minutes, so this suits you best if you want variety rather than extended time at one place.

Key points at a glance

• Feed alpacas and emus before morning tea: The private farm visit offers a hands-on start, with scones, jam, cream, coffee and tea.
• Taste three different boutique wineries: Ashbrook Estate, Brown Hill Estate and Redgate Wines each bring a smaller-scale feel to the day.
• Eat lunch among olive groves: Olio Bello pairs olive oil tastings with a farm-to-plate cafe meal.
• Expect more than wine: Chocolate, coffee, tea, wildlife, local produce and a short Indian Ocean stop fill out the day.
• Travel in a group of no more than 11: The compact vehicle and small group help keep the atmosphere social and personal.
• Pay $136.28 for a full day of inclusions: Pickup, transport, wine tastings, morning tea and lunch are covered, though lunch drinks and personal purchases cost extra.

Why this is more than a winery shuttle

Margaret River is famous for wine, but its food producers and coastal scenery are just as important to the region’s character. This tour gives you a broad taste of that mix in one day, without requiring you to drive between scattered farms and cellar doors yourself.

The order works well. You begin with something light and social, move into coffee, tea and chocolate, then start the wine portion before lunch. After food and a short ocean stop, you return to the vineyards for two more tastings. It feels like a full day out in the region rather than a string of identical cellar doors.

The guides make a noticeable difference. Dani is described as friendly, funny and strong on local facts, while Ziggy is praised for creating an easy atmosphere from the first pickup. Both names appear often in connection with the tour, so you may be hosted by either one. The best guides on a wine tour do more than keep the vehicle moving, and this experience puts real weight on stories about local producers, the region and the people behind the products.

You should also expect a social day. With a maximum of 11 people, you have a reasonable chance of getting to know the group. One full day can turn a collection of strangers into a pleasant little circle by the final winery, though the social element may be less appealing if you want complete privacy.

Starting with alpacas, emus and warm scones

The first stop is Margaret River Hideaway and Farmstay, where you spend about 55 minutes. The main attraction is not a formal farm tour. You get close to alpacas and emus, feed them, and then sit down for morning tea.

That opening is a clever choice. Scones with jam and cream, along with locally roasted coffee or tea, give you something substantial before the wine begins. The animal encounter also makes the day work for people in a mixed-age group, including families with older children and teenagers.

Do not think of this as a large petting zoo. It is a private farm setting, and the experience centers on a short visit rather than a long wildlife program. The alpacas may have their own ideas about how much attention they want, which is part of the fun but also means the encounter is informal.

The tour includes the morning tea and the animal visit. Children under seven must use the provided child seat requirement, and the tour notes that most people can take part. Service animals are allowed.

A short stop for chocolate, coffee and tea

Temper Temper Fine Chocolate provides a 25-minute break. It is billed as a three-part stop, with fine chocolate tasting and a look at the coffee roaster and tea offerings.

This is a compact visit, not a long chocolate-making workshop. You may spend only a few minutes tasting before browsing the shop, so keep your expectations in check. If you are eager to buy local chocolate or coffee, you will have time to look around, but the schedule does not give you a long independent shopping period.

The stop matters because it changes the rhythm. After the farm and before the vineyards, you get a small taste of another local craft. It is also useful for anyone in your group who is less focused on wine. The tour includes the tasting, while purchases are your responsibility.

Ashbrook Estate begins the wine portion

Ashbrook Estate is the first winery, with about an hour set aside. It is one of three selected boutique wineries, and the point is to show you that Margaret River wine is not one single style.

The smaller winery format can feel more personal than a large commercial cellar door. You have the chance to ask questions, learn how the wines differ, and understand more about the people who make them. Some days may include contact with winemakers or owners, which adds a direct human element to the tasting.

The exact wines poured can change, so you should not book this expecting a fixed list. The tour’s value comes from the range and the explanation, not from a guarantee of one particular bottle. Wine fans can compare styles, while newcomers get a guided introduction without needing to know technical terms.

The tasting volume may be generous. A full day can include more than 20 pours, and on some outings the total has reached around 30 tastings. Taste carefully and use the included transport, since the vehicle lets you focus on the day rather than the road.

Gracetown brings in the Indian Ocean

After the first winery, the vehicle heads to Gracetown for a 15-minute coastal stop. You get a quick look at the green-toned Indian Ocean, with a chance to watch the surf and look for dolphins near the surfers.

On some days, migrating whales may be visible. That is a possibility, not a promise, and the short stop gives you limited time for wildlife watching. Still, even a brief break by the water helps separate the winery visits and shows why Margaret River is more than a wine district.

You may hear local stories connected with Gracetown and the coast. The stop is best treated as a scenic pause, not a beach visit. Bring a phone or camera if you want a quick photograph, but do not expect time for a swim or a long walk.

Olio Bello makes lunch a real stop

Olio Bello is the lunch highlight for many people. You first taste olive oils and olive-based products, then sit down at the cafe among the olive groves for a farm-to-plate meal.

Lunch is included, which makes a major difference to the price. You are not simply handed a snack between cellar doors. Instead, you get a proper meal built around fresh ingredients, followed by more time to consider how olive oil works in cooking and seasoning.

The olive oil tasting gives the middle of the day a useful change of subject. After wine, you begin noticing how flavor works in another local product. You can also buy olive oils and condiments if something catches your interest, but gifts and purchases are not included.

Drinks other than water at lunch are extra. That small detail is easy to miss, especially on a wine day, so budget for it if you want a beverage with your meal. The lunch stop lasts about 1 hour and 15 minutes, long enough to eat without feeling hurried.

Brown Hill Estate adds a second wine style

Brown Hill Estate follows lunch, with about an hour for tasting. By this point, you have already experienced one winery, so the benefit is comparison. You can start to notice differences in fruit, structure and winemaking approach, even if you are new to wine.

This is also where the guide’s explanations become especially useful. A good host can connect what you taste with Margaret River’s reputation while keeping the conversation simple. Dani is often praised for making the day both informative and relaxed, and Ziggy brings a similar social ease when he leads the group.

The smaller producers are a central reason to book this tour. You are not only collecting samples. You are seeing how family-run and boutique businesses present their work, often with a stronger sense of personality than a large tasting room.

Redgate Wines finishes with a personal touch

The final winery is Redgate Wines, again with about an hour. The day closes with another chance to compare wines, ask questions and decide what you might want to take home.

Redgate can be particularly memorable when owner and winemaker Ray is present. Meeting someone who follows the wine from grape to bottle gives the final tasting more context. That kind of direct connection is hard to get from a rushed cellar-door stop.

By the last hour, though, fatigue is possible. You have been on the road since 9:00 am, eaten, tasted wine and visited several producers. If you are not a serious wine drinker, pace yourself from the first winery and use the breaks between tastings. The tour is relaxed, but it is still a full schedule.

What the $136.28 price really covers

At $136.28 per person, this is a strong-value day if you would otherwise pay separately for transport, lunch, farm visits and tastings. Your price includes pickup and drop-off at any in-town Margaret River location, an air-conditioned vehicle, morning tea, lunch and wine tastings.

The vehicle matters. Margaret River’s producers are spread across the region, and driving after tastings would be both inconvenient and unwise. You pay for a coordinated route and a guide who handles the roads, timing and introductions.

The price does not include drinks other than water at lunch, gifts, chocolate, wine or olive products you choose to buy. You should also remember that the number of wine pours may be high, but the value is not simply measured by volume. The range of producers, food stops and personal contact makes this a better choice than a basic transfer between three large wineries.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 9:00 am start. A late cancellation is not refunded, and poor weather or failure to reach the minimum number may lead to a new date or a full refund.

Who should book this Margaret River day

I would choose this tour if you have one day in Margaret River and want a broad introduction. It suits couples, friends, solo visitors and families with older children who want wine but also need other activities to keep the day varied.

It is particularly good for you if:

• You want to taste wine without driving.
• You prefer small producers to large commercial venues.
• You enjoy food tastings and local farm products.
• You like guides who tell stories and keep a group talking.
• You want lunch and morning tea included.
• You are happy with a full schedule and several short stops.

You may prefer a slower private tour if your main goal is to spend hours at one or two wineries. This is not the best fit if you want a long coastal walk, an extended chocolate workshop or complete control over the day’s timing.

Practical details before you go

Pickup and drop-off are offered at Margaret River in-town locations. The listed meeting point is 1 Tunbridge Street, Margaret River, and the tour returns there at the end.

The activity lasts about seven hours and begins at 9:00 am. It operates with a maximum of 11 people, so expect a compact group rather than a large coach crowd.

Wear something comfortable for getting in and out of the vehicle and moving around farm and winery settings. The tour is mainly seated, but the farm and coastal stops are informal outdoor visits. The experience requires good weather, and the operator may offer another date or a full refund if conditions are poor.

Mobile tickets are accepted, and confirmation arrives when you book. Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed.

Should you book it?

Yes, if you want Margaret River in broad strokes rather than wine alone. The farm breakfast, Olio Bello lunch, local chocolate, olive oil and Gracetown stop give the day a sense of place, while Ashbrook Estate, Brown Hill Estate and Redgate Wines provide a serious tasting backbone.

The strongest reasons to book are the small group, the included food and transport, and guides such as Dani and Ziggy who keep the day friendly and informative. The main trade-off is the busy schedule and high number of tastings. Pace yourself, expect the chocolate stop to be brief, and book this when variety matters more to you than lingering in one cellar door.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts approximately seven hours and starts at 9:00 am.

Where does the tour start and finish?

The listed meeting point is 1 Tunbridge Street, Margaret River, Western Australia. The activity finishes back at the meeting point, and pickup and drop-off are offered at Margaret River in-town locations.

What food is included?

Morning tea includes scones with jam and cream, plus locally roasted coffee or tea. Lunch at Olio Bello is also included.

Are wine tastings included?

Yes. Wine tastings at the three boutique wineries are included. Drinks other than water during lunch, along with bottles and other purchases, are not included.

Which wineries does the tour visit?

The scheduled wineries are Ashbrook Estate, Brown Hill Estate and Redgate Wines. The tour presents them as three handpicked boutique producers showing different Margaret River wine styles.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 11 people.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund. If poor weather or an insufficient number of bookings causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.