OUR STORY
Willespie is more than a winery, it's a place to slow down, connect, and feel at home. For five decades, Willespie has stood as a heartfelt celebration of craft and connection in the heart of the Margaret River region. Founded in 1976 by Kevin and Marian Squance, school teachers whose vision was rooted in a deep respect for the land, Willespie has grown from a boutique family vineyard into one of the region's respected producers of expressive, terroir-driven wines.
The name Willespie blends Wilyabrup and the French word espérer, meaning to hope. That spirit of optimism has guided this estate since its earliest vines were planted.
In 2025, the Squance family chose to hand over the reins to a new Western Australian family committed to building on Willespie's strong foundations while bringing fresh energy and vision to the next chapter.
This year, we celebrate 50 years in the Margaret River region. We invite you to find your place at Willespie.
THE WILYABRUP REGION
Located on Harmans Mill Road in Wilyabrup, Willespie sits in a beautiful and prestigious part of Margaret River. The region has a strong maritime climate with influence from the Indian and Southern Oceans giving rise to the finest fruit with optimal flavour and intensity.
Margaret River is world renowned for consistently producing premium wines with alluring aromatics, intense flavours and elegant structure.
The Willespie site sits on prized gravelly loam soils. The unique soil structure provides excellent drainage near the surface while the clay subsoil retains winter rainfall, allowing our dry-grown vines to access water throughout the growing season without irrigation.
OUR VINEYARD & SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES
The Wilyabrup vineyard was established in 1976 with 18 hectares under vine: Cabernet Sauvignon, Semillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Verdelho. All vines are non-irrigated, relying on winter rainfall.
The 49-year-old dry-grown vines produce fruit of great elegance and concentration with fine structure for ageing.
Dry-Grown Viticulture: Our non-irrigated vines rely entirely on natural rainfall, producing smaller berries with concentrated flavours and lower environmental impact.
Estate-Grown Fruit: By growing all our fruit on-site, we reduce transport emissions and maintain complete quality control from vine to bottle.
Minimal Intervention Winemaking: We let the vineyard speak for itself. Our winemaking philosophy prioritises gentle handling and native ferments.
MEET OUR TEAM
With two decades of experience, Nathan brings a minimal-intervention philosophy to the winery. He lets the vineyard character speak for itself while exploring new techniques and questioning assumptions - resulting in expressive, honest wines with structure and elegance.
With 20+ years in marketing and leadership across some of Australia's most recognised brands, Melissa oversees Willespie's strategy, operations and hospitality. Her focus: sustainable profitability, a scalable model, and an enduring brand.
Matt oversees Willespie's 49-year-old dry-grown vines with care, precision, and a deep respect for what the land produces. Working in harmony with the seasons, he understands that great wine starts in the vineyard and that vines with this kind of heritage deserve a hands-on, thoughtful approach.
An Agricultural Engineer from Buenos Aires, Ana discovered her passion for wine in Mendoza and moved to Italy in 2020 for her first harvest. This ignited a journey of continuous learning and hands-on experience in viticulture and winemaking driven by a commitment to sustainable farming and authentic terroir.
Ant is equally at home among the vines as welcoming guests at the cellar door. From pruning to grape processing, his deep vineyard knowledge brings an authentic, hands-on perspective that guests genuinely appreciate.
WSET Level 3 qualified, Jo brings deep vineyard expertise and warmth to every cellar door visit. She welcomes all - from first-time wine explorers to seasoned enthusiasts - ensuring every guest feels welcomed, informed, and genuinely cared for.
EXPERIENCE WILLESPIE FOR YOURSELF
Taste our wines in the heart of Wilyabrup or have them delivered to your door. Either way, you're always welcome here.