Margaret River Wineries: Arimia Wines

Disclosure: I was invited to Arimia by the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association.

Arimia Wines is off the beaten path (literally you have to drive a 2km gravel road stretch to get there!). Located in Yallingup in the Margaret River Wine Region this whimsical winery is in a superb spot which mostly only the locals know about, it’s truly a hidden gem!

The cellar door is light-filled and has a refreshing effervesce to it. There is a collection of about a dozen wines you can taste for free. There’s something for everyone on the Arimia wine list from a Blanc de Blanc bubbles to whites (which include a Sauvignon Blanc, SSB, Verdelho & Chardonnay), a Grenache rosé and a nice selection of reds including a Cab Merlot, GSM, Shiraz/Vioginer, Peitit Verdot, Mourvèdre and an impressive Zinfandel.

Once you stop in for a tasting, it’ll be hard to resist not to stay for a bite to eat or lunch at this lovely Margaret River winery. The restaurant is set up with antique looking aged wood furniture, shiny cutlery and lovely tall Plumm glassware. Tables spill out onto a verandah and onto the grass under a big large tree.

My first thought was that this would be an amazing venue for a small wedding reception, especially if the tree was decked out with fairy lights. It is just so darn pretty and at the same time it has that typical Margaret River laid back feel. Plus having a bonsai tree of my own at home I loved the collection and mini farm of bonsai trees around the estate.

The restaurant menu is pretty straightforward. You have some light eats, mains, woodfired pizzas, cheese plates and there are a selection of cakes and slices for dessert. And of course the wine list. I would highly suggest doing a tasting at the cellar door counter first so you then know what wine to order for your lunch! It’s also great that each item on the menu has a suggested white and red wine match for that dish written on the menu – wine & food matching made easy! View the Arimia Margaret River lunch menu here.

On this visit I couldn’t resist going for the ‘braised wild goat pie with royal blue puree, onion jam and raspberry balsamic’ for $24 – a very decent price for a main meal! Absolutely delightful, the goat meat was so tender and the onion jam and balsamic were having a party in my mouth! We enjoyed a bottle of the 2011 Chardonnay between the 3 of us and it actually went down pretty well with the pie. The superbly balanced Chardy’s aged characteristics were a delight with the pies flavours. Mr. Spittoon went for a pizza which had a nice thin base and was served on a lovely wooden board.

Normally Mr. Spittoon and I would taste a bit of each others however we both devoured our meals before the thought popped into either of our minds to offer the other a taste. Very selfish however I don’t think I would of been able to part with even a forkful of that pie! Big kudos to Evan the Chef!

It was an absolutely lovely visit to Arimia, many thanks to the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association for the invite. I’ll be back again for sure – especially since a meal for 3 including a bottle of vino came to $90, bargain!

Arimia Wines is a family owned business. You’ll normally find Ann and Malcolm, the owners, manning the cellar door who’ll lead you through a tasting full of passion and enthusiasm. The name Arimia comes from their daughters – Ariann & Mia. For more information please visit the Arimia Wines website or Arimia Wines Facebook page.

If you’re planning a trip to the Margaret River Wine Region, make sure to check out the accommodation, wine tour & attraction ideas on margaretriver.com, or email [email protected] or call (08) 9780 5911