To the south of Cape Naturaliste, in a picturesque valley behind Smith's Beach,
nestles Cape Naturaliste Vineyard.
The valley's rich variety of soil types are ideal for the growing of premium wine
grapes. Our maritime location, with grapes cooled on the vines by clean air from
the Roaring 40's, gives our wine character and depth.
The property now known as Cape Naturaliste Vineyard started life as the coach inn
for travelers journeying between Perth and Margaret River on horse and buggy – a
journey taking about 3 days - a history going back 150 years. Some later years the
property then became a dairy known as Thorn Hill. During this time Whale ships came
into the sheltered waters of Smiths Beach to purchase vegetables grown in the valleys
rich alluvial soil.
In 1970 the surrounding land was discovered to be rich in mineral sands. A mining
company purchased the land with the intention to mine the valley. Fortunately the
government stepped in and declared it "A" zone national park.
Cape Naturaliste Vineyard was planted in 1997 by the owner, Craig Brent-White, who
purchased the land from a mineral sands company in 1980.