The Region
WHERE TO FIND WILLOW BRIDGE ESTATE
Willow Bridge Estate is a leisurely two and a half hours drive from Perth. Head south to Bunbury, then follow the signs to Dardanup. From there take the Ferguson Road turn off, travel about 6kms till you reach Pile Road. Turning left into Pile Road climb your way up through the beautiful Ferguson Valley for about 5kms, turning left into Gardincourt Drive. Willow Bridge is about 2kms along, you can't miss it, just look out for the signposts from Pile Road onwards.
THE REGION
Located in south west Western Australia between the capital city Perth (pop 1.7 mil), and Margaret River, the Geographe Wine Region has a diverse range of viticultural environments tied together by the consistency of their moderate, maritime influenced climate. Vineyard sites range from highly maritime vineyards in sea-level limestone sands on the broad coastal plain, to all a range of high quality soils and local climatic influences in the hills of the Darling Range which runs the length of the region some 20 to 30 km inland.
One exceptional viticultural area in the hills of the Geographe Wine Region is the Ferguson Valley, the home of Willow Bridge. This incredibly picturesque area is just 20 minutes from the coastal city of Bunbury (pop 70,000) and around 2 hours south of Perth.
This area is blessed with the unique combination of a growing season climate which is extremely sunny and dry, yet where the temperature is moderated by both cooling ocean breezes and elevation. This, combined with an abundance of the red gravelly loam soils so prized by Western Australian vignerons, makes for a region where wine quality and consistency are virtually unconstrained.
Aside from wineries, The Ferguson Valley is known as one of the most naturally beautiful areas of Southwest Western Australia – one of only 34 listed Biodiversity Hotspots worldwide. Willow Bridge itself borders the 17,000 Ha Wellington National Park which is home to some of Western Australia’s most magnificent eucalypt forests; jarrah, marri and yarri (Blackbutt), as well as spectacular gorges, waterfalls and trails.
The valley also is home to a number of micro-breweries and galleries.
