Aus Day 61 - A Trip Round The Wineries

Friday 19th November   Aus Day 61


Rose at 07.00, missing Eileen and counting the days until I can be with her again. Shower and breakfast then leisurely time publishing yesterday’s Blog and dealing with emails. Made enquiries about accommodation in Bangkok for my stopover on the way back to the UK. I have still not had a response from Honda Blackpool with regard to taking delivery of my new car, if there is no response by tomorrow I will have to hasten them.

I was picked up by Tony of “Cheers” tours along with a dozen others at 10.45 and off we went to our first winery, “Redgate”, not far to the south west of Margaret River where we sampled 11 different wines from a Sauvignon Blanc, through a Shiraz to a very nice White Port. We were given lots of information and a copy of tasting notes before finally being offered the opportunity to purchase, at a discount, of course. I was not able to take advantage due to my very limited luggage capacity which I have referred to previously.

Entrance to the Redgate Winery

Our Sampling Session at the Redgate Winery

We moved on to the next winery “Watershed” where we went through the same process with a similar range of wines. There seemed to be a general feeling amongst our group that the first winery wines were of a better quality.

The Watershed Cellar Door Bar

Our next port of call was at the Margaret River Venison Farm where we sampled a range of different venison products. There was some surprise at the range of products available.




About to Sample The Venison Products

Before going for lunch, Tony took us to North Point at Gracetown for a photo shoot. This is very close to Cowaramup Reef where I spent some time yesterday.

View at Northpoint Gracetown

JB at Northpoint Gracetown

Part of our Tour Group at Northpoint Gracetown

We had lunch at the Lavender Vale Winery, after yet another tasting session. I had chosen the Anti Pasta selection which was lovely while others had chosen chicken pie, lasagna or fish & chips.

After lunch, it was on to the final winery of the day which was the smallest and called Bettenay’s. This is known as a boutique winery because they only produce a relatively small quantity, having about 25 acres under vine. Their Chilli Port was very interesting.

Entering Bettenay's the Boutique Winery

We were then whisked off to the Chocolate Factory. However, there was no Willy Wonka and no Oompa Loompas but, there was a Christmas Tree and free samples of Belgian chocolate.

Entrance Sign at the Chocolate Company

A Christmas Wonderland of Chocolate

It took Tony some time to usher everyone out of the chocolate factory but we were then on our way to the cheese emporium where a variety of cheeses were laid out for us to taste with, of course, the opportunity to purchase.

Sampling The Cheese Products

Finally, we were taken to the Colonial Brewery where we were able to buy a selection of 5 different beers at the discount price of $10.00 so it just had to be done. However, the experience did nothing to dispel my opinion that the Aussies just cannot produce a ‘proper’ beer.

The Outdoor Bar at the Colonial Brewery

A "Paddle" of 5 Different Beers - Supposedly English Style



JB and "Twin" on the Winery Tour - No Relation, Just Coincidence


The time was now gone 5.00 pm and we were ferried back to our respective accommodations with the Riverside Tourist Park being the last at 5.40 pm.

On return, I set up the laptop and finally established contact with Eileen just after 6.00 pm and had a lovely long chat.

Time then for a spot of tea, actually a bacon roll to use up the opened bacon, and then set to, drafting today’s Blog which you are now reading. I haven’t yet decided what to do tomorrow but may decide to spend a further night here which would give me chance to explore Margaret River town itself. However, the Zebedee chap has arrived, a bit late at 10.50 pm and so “Time for Bed”.