The Ferguson Valley is located within the Geographe Wine region in the South-West of Western Australia. This new and developing wine region is known for its picturesque views, fertile soils, and ideal Mediterranean climate for growing a variety of grapes. According to Dr. Tony Jordan, an Australian Wine Industry academic, "The Ferguson Valley has a great combination of aspect, altitude, and soil type that provides a unique terroir for grape growing, leading to high-quality wine production."

The Douro Valley in Portugal in contrast, is one of the oldest demarcated wine regions in the world, known for its steep hillsides and terraced vineyards. According to Dr. Richard Smart, a viticulture expert, "The Douro Valley is a special wine region due to its unique topography and climate. The steep slopes provide ideal conditions for grape growing, and the climate, with hot summers and mild winters, creates wines with a distinct flavor and character."

The Geographe Wine Region, (the Internationally recognised wine region that the Ferguson Valley sits within) may seems worlds apart from the Douro Valley, but it has been noted that it shares many similarities with the region, including topographic features, climatic and soil composition. According to Dr. Jordan, the Geographe Wine Region also has a unique terroir, with a Mediterranean climate, fertile soils, and ideal altitude and aspect for grape growing.

However, despite the similarities between these regions, each has its own very unique history and culture of winemaking. The Douro Valley has had a much longer history of winemaking, dating back to the Roman era, and is known for its production of Port and red wine varietals. In contrast, the Ferguson Valley is a relatively new wine regions, with commercial winemaking starting in earnest only from the late 1990's. There are a number if varietals grown in the Ferguson Valley, inlcuding Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Malbec, Merlot, Tempranillo, Petiti Verdot, Mondeuse, Malbec, Chardonnay, Savignon Blanc, Verdelho, Semillon and Vermentino.

According to Dr. Smart, "The history and culture of winemaking in a region plays a significant role in the development of the industry and the wines produced. The Douro Valley has a distinct character and flavour due to its long history and culture of winemaking, while the Ferguson Valley and the Geographe Wine Region are still developing their unique character and style."

Despite their differences, these two wine regions share a common love for winemaking and producing high-quality wines. As Dr. Jordan states, "Wine is a product of the terroir and the people who make it. Each region has its own unique terroir, climate, and culture of winemaking, which creates a distinct flavor and character in the wine produced."

Both the Ferguson Valley and the Douro Valley are unique wine regions with their own distinct terroir and style of winemaking. While they share many similarities, each region has its unique history and culture of winemaking that influences the flavor and character of the wines produced. If you're a wine lover and interested in exploring an emerging wine region in Western Australia, the Ferguson Valley is definitely worth exploring.

Come to Hackersley Estate to see for yourself why our region has been compared to one of the finest wine growing regions in Europe. Take in the views of the rolling landscape while you enjoy our wines and exquisite leisurely long lunch, or just drop in to our Cellar Door for a wine tasting and cheese platter.