Amongst the lush landscape of WA’s world-renowned wine country, Wayfinder is getting set to open their brand new sprawling, sustainable, state-of-the-art home base.
The new facility at the Wilyabrup winery is scheduled to officially open its doors on August 3, with a cellar door and farm-to-table restaurant designed by award-winning practice Kerry Hill Architects, its kitchen lead by Executive Chef Brendan Pratt – former Culinary Director of Parker Group and previously Head Chef of Vasse Felix.
Artist’s impression of the new Wayfinder winery.
The purpose-built facility is fully off-grid, designed to expand on Wayfinder’s dedication to regenerative farming practices and low-intervention winemaking – with sustainable measures that include extensive solar panelling and on-site battery storage, a rainwater harvesting system that filters and reuses water across the site, composting and reintegration of grape marc across the vineyard soil, and even a custom CO₂ capture system that redirects fermentation gases (which will eventually be reused on site).
First founded in 2018, the winery achieved organic certification in 2022, and is one of only four Margaret River vineyards selected as part of the EcoVineyards program to improve vineyard resilience and functional biodiversity.
The nearby market garden, which already supplies the existing Wayfinder wine bar in Dunsborough that opened in 2024, has also been significantly extended to comprise a full acre – and will also supply other select local venues.
Taking influence from the existing Dunsborough wine bar (its kitchen lead by chef Andres Felipe Montiel), Pratt’s approach will be driven by the seasonal abundance of the market garden, with the full range of Wayfinder wines available both by the glass and in curated tasting flights.
“From the beginning, Wayfinder’s philosophy has been grounded in environmental responsibility and a deep respect for the land,” says Paul McArdle, CEO of Overstory – whose boutique portfolio includes Wayfinder, Margaret River’s Swell Season and Tasmanian winery Small Wonder.
“Every architectural decision has been made to minimise our footprint, with less impact on the surrounding ecosystem.”
“Wayfinder is committed to making everything we touch better. We feel it’s an obligation to be committed to better practices, better vineyards, better processes, and better wines. Ultimately, we want to make small local efforts that connect us to the movement that brings global change, and that connects us to our community, all whilst creating interesting wines that celebrate the vineyard.”
Artist’s impression of the new Wayfinder winery.
Artist’s impression of the new Wayfinder winery.
Nestled into what the team describes as a “turkey-nest dam wall”, the winery will be built partially underground to utilise the natural insulative qualities of the surrounding landscape. Grapes move directly from the vineyard to the facility, chilled overnight and processed with minimal delays, with the multilevel layout using gravity to draw the grape juice into 12 below-ground tanks to minimise handling and pumping – allowing for more delicate, precise wines.
“Every element has been designed to support gentle winemaking, energy efficiency, and a more intuitive workflow for both our team and the wines,” says winemaker Andrew Trio.
L-R: Cat Houlberg, Paul McArdle, Andrew Trio, Amy Dyson, Brendan Pratt.
The exterior will make the most of this cohesion with the surrounding environment, with a rammed earth wall to welcome you and a verdant rooftop of endemic grasses and shrubs – with landscaping created collaboratively between Kerry Hill Architects and Aspect Studios and Lifestyle Gardens. Venture inside the subterranean cellar door, and you’ll be met by handcrafted, sustainably-sourced timber and Australian marble, illuminated by beams of sunlight through the skylights above.
“We wanted the transition from earth, grasses, and building to feel seamless, a design that emerges from the surrounding landscape. This idea is reflected in the sloping rammed earth wall, natural materials, and the carefully considered landscape design,” said Kerry Hill Architects Director Patrick Kosky.
Artist’s impression of the new Wayfinder winery.
Artist’s impression of the new Wayfinder winery.
Commissioned works by Australian artists Lindy Lee, Tjawina Porter, Abie Loy Kemarre and Melissa Kngwarreye Long, as well as local West Australian artist Lajos Vargos, are featured both inside and outside the cellar door – all inspired by a deep connection to the land.
Wayfinder’s new winery, restaurant and cellar door is scheduled to open on August 3, 2026. Find out more at wayfinderwines.com.au.