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A new winery and restaurant is coming to the Margaret River region
The fully off-grid venue will open in Cowaramup this spring.
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Explore
2 min readExplore
The fully off-grid venue will open in Cowaramup this spring.
Published
2 min read
Text size
Published
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By: Lisa Cook
While the Margaret River region is renowned for its world-class wineries, a unique new destination is set to offer visitors something a little different.
Opening in September in Wilyabrup, just north of Cowaramup, Wayfinder is a purpose-built, fully off-grid winery and farm committed to regenerative agriculture, low-intervention winemaking and seasonal dining.
Designed to tread lightly on the landscape, the state-of-the-art estate is powered by the sun through an extensive solar array. The winery has been built into the wall of a turkey nest dam, allowing the earth to naturally regulate temperatures and reduce energy use.
The estate has been designed by Fremantle's Kerry Hill Architects to blend seamlessly into its surroundings. A sloping rammed-earth entrance leads to a building topped with native grasses and shrubs, while handcrafted timber and Australian marble feature throughout the interior.
Guests will be able to enjoy tastings in the wine library, relax beside the fireplace or dine indoors overlooking the gardens. Outside, a covered pergola and lawn offer a more casual setting surrounded by the working farm.
At the heart of the experience is more than an acre of market gardens, where heirloom vegetables, edible flowers, herbs, honey and lamb are grown and harvested for the kitchen. Orchard fruit is also planned for the future, further expanding the estate's garden-to-table offering.
Leading the restaurant is award-winning Executive Chef Brendan Pratt, formerly of Vasse Felix and Parker Group, whose seasonal menu will celebrate the property's own produce. Dishes can be paired with Wayfinder wines by the glass or through curated tasting flights showcasing the estate's wines as well.
The cellar door will resemble an art gallery, featuring works by local Western Australian artist Lajos Vargas alongside pieces from Australian artists, with many available to purchase.
You may already know the Wayfinder name from its acclaimed Dunsborough venue, which has been welcoming diners since 2024. The Wilyabrup farm already supplies produce to the Dunsborough kitchen and will continue servicing both venues once the new estate opens.
Wayfinder is expected to open in September, with the restaurant's full menu launching in October. More details will be announced ahead of the opening.
Find out more on the Wayfinder website.
