The youngest of Australia’s wine regions — the first vines were planted in 1967— Margaret River produces some of the country’s most respected wines, bottlings with finesse and refinement that are markedly different from the better-known, bolder wines. The land benefits from cooling breezes off the Indian Ocean, which provide an antidote to the heat of long, sunny days. While Margaret River was first known for its Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays, its portfolio has expanded to include Sauvignon Blancs and Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc blends, and Shiraz. Almost 160 wineries are in operation here. These were the standouts from our recent visit.