It was common knowledge in the area, that grapes grew well in Albany, but the first commerical vineyard did not appear until 1974.
In 1982 Bill Wignall planted his King River vineyard. Its first vintage in 1985 was a tremendous success, the Pinot Noir receiving a gold medal at an interstate capital city wine show and the Chardonnay winning the SGIO trophy as WA´s Best Table Wine. As at the end of 1998, there were 60 ha of vines planted in the sub-region with over 220 ha planned for the near future. There is only one winery and cellar outlet operating within this sub-region.
Its geographicla formations are chiefly Precambian granites and geneisses and its basic soils are sandy gravels overlying a layer of laterite rock of varying thickness, which is necessary to deep-rip for viticultural purposes. The climate can be described generelly as Mediterranean with moist but cool rather than cold winters, and warm dry summers.
Because of the justifiable devotion of Bill Wignall to Pinot Noir, Wignall´s King River Pinot Noir has created the red wine reputation of the sub-region. Chardonnay, however, is not far behind and regulary wins trophies and gold medals. Other promising varieties are Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Little Shiraz is yet grown in the sub-region.
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