Fabulous Ladies
Margaret River Tour 2024
2 – 7 Nov 2024
In partnership with Travelling Divas
Always wanted to visit the wineries of Margaret River? Now’s your chance to do it in the most fabulous way! Our luxurious tour of this sophisticated and globally revered wine region is taking place again this November. It’s an even longer tour this year – there’s so much to see and do in Margaret River that we’ve extended it by an extra day!
One of the only wine regions in the world where the vineyards back up against sparkling blue ocean, Margaret River is home to some of the world’s most spectacular cellar doors and produces some of the most exceptional wines on the planet.
With every detail of this intimate tour organised to give you the most fabulous experience, we will be taking you to visit some truly incredible wineries that feature world-leading women in wine. Like…
- Vanya Cullen, Cullen Wines
- Virginia Wilcock, Vasse Felix
- Alex Burt, Voyager Estate
- Wendy Stimpson, Passel Estate
Plus, there’s delicious fine dining, ridiculously beautiful vineyards, special experiences (like your own private wine blending session!) and gorgeous hotels to stay at – including the QT in Perth and the Smiths Beach Resort in Margaret River, a member of Small Luxury Hotels.
As always, our wine tours focus on women in wine, are conducted in partnership with our friends at Travelling Divas and are fully escorted by FLWS founder Jane Thomson OAM. With a maximum of just 12 guests, our tours are both intimate and loads of fun! They also happen to be the ONLY all-women wine tours in Australia.
Come on your own and make new friends for life, or book in with a friend or two – single and twin share options are both available. We can’t wait to host you for the ultimate wine experience in Margaret River this November.
Tour Highlights Include
- Privately hosted dining and tasting events at the region’s most esteemed wineries (which also happen to be women-led!)
- Fun and educational wine blending session
- Decadent private tours and lunches matched with premium wines at world-leading cellar doors and restaurants
- Sunset sessions in the vineyard and at the beach
- Private, highly curated experiences and wine education
- Fully escorted for the entire 6 days by Jane Thomson OAM
HOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE?
Simply fill in the booking form and pay a deposit. You only need to ensure your deposit is paid in order to confirm your place for this November 2024 departure!
+ - Getting There
Both Qantas (including Jetstar) and Virgin offer regular flights to Perth from all capital cities.
+ - Tour Price & Inclusions
Tour Price: AUD$4895 per person on a twin share basis. AU$5990 for single.
Tour Dates: 2 – 7 Nov 2024
Starts: Perth
Finishes: Perth Airport
Price Includes:
- Fully escorted by fabulous lady of wine Jane Thomson OAM
- 1 night’s 5-star luxury accommodation, QT Perth
- 4 nights’ 5-star luxury accommodation, Smiths Beach Resort
- Breakfast daily
- All meals inclusive of wine (except breakfast….)
- Exclusive welcome wine dinner in Perth
- Private, hosted wine experiences, wining & dining as detailed in the itinerary.
- All winery fees & extras associated with wine entry
- Private transport throughout including airport transfer on departure
NOT INCLUDED:
Airfares and departure taxes; transfers unless stated in the itinerary; items of a personal nature; phone calls; passport and visas; laundry or tips. Personal transport; excess baggage; security and government taxes; travel insurance. Meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary; additional beverages (unless specifically described). Optional excursions or activities that may be offered but are not included in the tour price. Spa treatments and any items not specified. Any changes you choose to make during your holiday.
+ - Tour Itinerary
DAY 1 – Saturday 2nd November
Make your way from Perth airport to your home for tonight, the the gorgeous Perth QT Hotel. Settle in, relax, maybe wander nearby and check out the city or enjoy a cocktail at the hotel rooftop bar!
Then get frocked up for your night of delightful dining at your gorgeous welcome dinner at award winning restaurant, Santini – including some delicious wines. Here you will enjoy a fabulous start to your luxury getaway as well as a formal introduction to the region you are about to explore.
Overnight accommodation: QT Hotel
Meals included: Dinner
DAY 2 – Sunday 3rd November
After a relaxed start to the day, and leisurely breakfast at the hotel you will join your fellow wine lovers and transfer by private vehicle to Margaret River. (We’ll have private transfers and drivers for every single part of this tour.)
There will be a stop to enjoy a coffee at The Crooked Carrot (a local institution) on the long drive south. We’ll spend the afternoon in the beautiful Margaret River township where you will have time to explore, take in the town and begin to immerse yourself in this gorgeous region.
Then it’s time to enjoy the luxury of Smiths Beach Resort, your home for the next 4 nights. Check-in, relax and enjoy getting to know your way around. Sunset bubbly on the beach as the sun sets followed by a relaxed dinner at Lamonts Restaurant.
Overnight accommodation: Smiths Beach Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 3 – Monday 4 November
Let the wines begin! After a leisurely breakfast at the resort, and maybe a morning walk on the beach, we are whisking you off for a (nearly) full day at Margaret River’s original winery, and one of the most renowned, Vasse Felix. Chief winemaker Virginia Wilcock is considered one of the best winemakers in the world and she has been with Vasse Felix for the last two decades.
The day begins with a tour of the Vasse Felix estate tour, followed by a private guided tasting in their famous art gallery! So divine! This will really give you the chance to appreciate the quality of these incredible wines. The wonderful Virginia is hoping to join us for this as she did last year. You’ll then be treated to an exquisite lunch (with matched wines) at the highly acclaimed Vasse Felix restaurant where we’ll wile away the afternoon together over some of the regions best food – and more wine!
We’ll pop into a smaller woman-led winery for on our way back to Smith’s to end our glorious day. Dinner at Lamont’s again tonight ensures we don’t need to move too far this evening!
Overnight accommodation: Smiths Beach Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 4 – Tuesday 5 November
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to blend your own wine? This morning after breakfast, the amazing team at Clairault-Streicker, led by Australian Women in Wine Cellar Door Person of the Year winner Ulrika Larsson, are going to be opening their cellar door just for us (it’s normally closed on Tuesdays). We’ll have the whole place to ourselves to be led through our very own, very fabulous and incredibly educational wine blending session. Ulrika and her team will guide you through the process, and then you make your very own bottle of wine that you’ll be naming and taking away with you at the end of the morning!
With your wine bottle all safely sealed with a cork, we’ll then be taking you to Cullen Wines where Vanya Cullen will herself be hosting us for a glorious tasting and lunch in her cellar door restaurant with matched wines she’s chosen. Vanya is an amazing hostess and is full of stories of her family’s history, estate and biodynamic winemaking philosophy. You’ll get a really in-depth understanding of how and why Cullen is a world leader, as well as a Margaret River icon, and why Vanya Cullen is such a revered and award winning winemaker.
Then it’s back to our gorgeous beach apartments for a relax, some more beach time and a light supper in-house.
Overnight accommodation: Smiths Beach Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5 – Wednesday 6 November
More relaxed mornings, more days filled with wine and food! Wednesday we have a full day at the incredible Voyager Estate. Not only are the vineyards here sublime, but the gardens and buildings are like something out of a fairy tale. Beginning with a private, guided tour of the vineyards and estate, we’ll then progress to a guided tasting so you can learn about the wine styles and production methods. We’ll then a enjoy a long lunch in their glorious restaurant, with the amazing Alexandra Burt (Voyager’s owner) joining us!
Later that day, for our grand finale in Margaret River, we head to the gorgeous Passel Estate for a private, after hours reception hosted by owner Wendy Stimpson, with a masterclass tasting and light platters to finish the day. Wendy’s wines are just sublime and there’s a wonderful conservation story behind her whole brand that she’ll share with us herself.
By the time today comes to a close, your understanding and appreciation of the spectacular wines produced in this region, the women who create them and what they have achieved will leave you with memories for a lifetime.
Overnight accommodation: Smiths Beach Resort
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6 – Thursday 7th November
After breakfast we are checking out of the glorious Smiths Beach Resort and heading back to Perth Airport to connect you with your flight home or onward. Thank you for coming away, it so very much appreciated and look forward to travelling again. Times will be confirmed – but flights should not be booked until after midday to allow for travel time.
Meals Included: Breakfast
PLEASE NOTE: The itinerary is subject to change
