Plantagenet | Mount Barker

Established in 1968, Plantagenet was the first commercial winery in the Great Southern region of Western Australia. Located around the Mount Barker township, the estate spans five vineyards set on gravelly loam over an ironstone and clay base. The area is heavily influenced by cool breezes rolling in from the Southern Ocean. This maritime climate ensures a slow, steady ripening period for the grapes, setting the vineyards apart from the intense heat found in other major Australian wine regions.

This cooler climate is the driving force behind their portfolio of Western Australian wines. Rather than producing heavy, fruit-forward styles, the winemaking team focuses on aromatic intensity and natural structure. Their cool-climate Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon deliver savoury spice and fine tannins, while their Riesling is known for its bone-dry, sharply citrus-driven profile and its ability to develop complex notes as it ages in the bottle.

The estate was founded by Tony Smith, an English emigrant who used a small inheritance to buy a local farm in the late 1960s. As a descendant of the English Royal House of Plantagenet, Smith named the winery in honour of his ancestry. That historical connection remains highly visible today, with every label proudly carrying the traditional three lions crest.

PLANTAGENET