Wilyabrup is a wine district within the Margaret River wine region of Western Australia. Located just north of Margaret River township, it is home to some of the region's earliest (and most respected) wineries. Moss Wood, Vasse Felix and Cullen are the most famous of these, founded in the 1960s and 1970s – an indicator of the speed with which this region has earned its stripes in the wine world.
Wilyabrup itself is a small township situated 12 miles (20km) north of the Margaret river, with its vineyards dotting each side of Caves Road – the gently winding link between Capes Naturaliste and Leeuwin. Its proximity to the junction of the Indian Ocean coast means that the district enjoys a particularly moderate but warm Mediterranean climate, without extremes of temperature.
The karri trees which dominate the landscape here provide some shelter from the prevailing westerly and south-westerly winds that blow in from the Indian Ocean. The karri is a tall native eucalypt which prefers looser, loamier soils than its lowlier cousin, the marri, which is happier in gravelly soils. The karri trees are a visible indicator of Wilyabrup's soil, and thus a pointer to possible wine styles.
Wilyabrup vineyards are planted with the preferred Margaret River varieties – notably Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Shiraz, Chardonnay and the refreshingly grassy components of the region's 'SSB' blends, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.
