Howard Park Wines

Howard Park Wines operates across two of Western Australia's most respected cool-climate wine regions — Margaret River and Mount Barker in the Great Southern — giving visitors the rare opportunity to explore distinctly different terroirs under the one label. Founded in 1986 by John Wade, the winery has spent nearly four decades refining its understanding of what these regions do best, and that focus comes through clearly in the glass.

History

John Wade established Howard Park in 1986, initially developing vineyards in Margaret River before extending the operation into Mount Barker. The two regions offered something complementary rather than interchangeable — different soils, different climates, different varieties at their best — and the winery built its identity around that contrast. Today Howard Park remains family-owned, with a continued commitment to sustainable viticulture and wines that reflect the character of where they're grown rather than a house style imposed upon them.

The Wines

The split between regions shapes everything about Howard Park's portfolio. Margaret River's temperate maritime climate and gravelly soils produce the conditions that Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay thrive in — wines with structure, elegance, and the kind of slow-developed complexity that comes from a long growing season with consistent rainfall.

Mount Barker operates at a cooler register again, with slate-rich soils that suit Riesling particularly well. The region has made a strong case for Shiraz too, alongside Sauvignon Blanc — all varieties that benefit from the site's cool conditions and deliberate ripening. Howard Park's Riesling, in particular, has been central to the winery's reputation since its early years.

Across both sites, the common thread is freshness and regional expression — wines made to show where they come from.

Cellar Door Experience

Howard Park runs cellar doors at both Margaret River and Mount Barker, and the two are worth visiting separately rather than treating as interchangeable stops.

The Margaret River cellar door is a modern, light-filled space with vineyard views and a sophisticated atmosphere. It's the better-equipped of the two for larger groups and families, with more substantial facilities and dedicated coach and car parking. Staff offer personalised wine education across the full portfolio, and the pace is unhurried enough to have a genuine conversation about what you're tasting.

The Mount Barker cellar door is more contemporary and intimate. Parking is more limited — not well suited to large coaches or extended caravans — and the experience tends to be quieter, which suits visitors who want a more relaxed, one-on-one interaction with the wines and the people pouring them. For anyone travelling through the Great Southern, it's a worthwhile stop precisely because it feels less trafficked.

Bookings are recommended at both locations, particularly for groups and during peak season.

Food and Dining

The Margaret River cellar door offers food platters featuring locally-sourced produce, designed to sit alongside the wines rather than overshadow them. It's a practical and pleasant way to extend a tasting session into something closer to a long afternoon. BYO picnics are not permitted at either site, but the on-site food offering at Margaret River covers the bases well enough for most visitors.

Getting There

The Margaret River cellar door sits within the Margaret River wine region, roughly three hours south of Perth via sealed roads. It's accessible for caravans and campervans, with dedicated parking for both cars and coaches.

Mount Barker is further afield — around 4.5 hours south-east of Perth — also on sealed roads, though parking there is more limited and not well suited to large coaches or extended rigs. Both sites have accessible parking for visitors with mobility requirements.

Public transport isn't a practical option in either region. A car is the only sensible way to visit.

Visitor Tips

• Book ahead during school holidays and vintage season (March–April), when both locations see increased traffic.
• Allow 1.5 to 2 hours per cellar door if you want to taste through the range properly and talk with staff.
• Visit both if your itinerary allows — the Margaret River and Mount Barker cellar doors offer genuinely different experiences, and the wines reflect different growing conditions that are worth comparing side by side.
• Margaret River is busier year-round; Mount Barker offers a quieter visit for those who prefer it.
• Vintage season (late February to April) brings the most energy to both sites, while spring (September to November) offers good weather with fewer crowds. Winter is quieter and can be wet, particularly in the south-west.